Biking in Boston: 3 of the best off-road cycling routes

06.06.2024 - 01:09 / lonelyplanet.com

In recent years, Boston has made vast improvements in its infrastructure for cyclists, including painting miles of bicycle lanes and implementing an excellent bike-share program. Local drivers are used to sharing the roads with their two-wheeled friends, but cyclists should always obey traffic rules and ride defensively.

Explore Boston by bike with this guide to routes, cycle hire and riding tips.

The Emerald Necklace is an evocative name for a chain of parks and green spaces that weave some 7 miles through Boston, from the Boston Common to Franklin Park. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in the late 19th century, the Emerald Necklace treats city residents to fresh air, green grass and flowing water, right within the city limits. It's lovely to walk but even better to cycle; so hop on a bike and go for the green. (Note that this route is mostly unpaved, so road bikes are not recommended.)

The 4-mile cycling route along the Emerald Necklace starts west of Kenmore Sq, at the north end of the Riverway (near the Fenway T-stop). The bike trail follows the west side of the Muddy River for about a mile to Olmsted park. Here, a paved path hugs the banks of Leverett Pond and Ward's Pond for another mile. At Willow Pond Rd, shift to the east side of the park and ride along the Jamaicaway bike path, passing Ward Pond and Jamaica Pond.

At the southern end of Jamaica Pond, you'll follow the Arborway south, circle the rotary and enter the Arnold Arboretum. (You may be more comfortable riding on the sidewalk during this brief stretch.) From the Arboretum visitor center, enjoy a leisurely one-mile ride along Meadow Rd and up to Bussey Hill for a fabulous lookout.

From here, you can return the way you came or ride back along the Southwest Corridor Park trail to Fenway or to the South End.

First time visiting Boston? Here are some things to know before you go

The best of Boston’s bicycle trails is the Minuteman Bikeway, a rail trail that leads 6.5 miles from Cambridge to historic Lexington Center, then traverses an additional 3.5 miles of idyllic scenery, terminating in the rural suburb of Bedford. Along the way, the trail skirts the shady woodlands and flat marshlands of Great Meadows, great for bird sightings, scenic overlooks and detours on foot. In Lexington Center, the trail passes alongside the old train depot. There is also a visitors center (with bathrooms and water bubbler), near the historic buildings and Battle Green. Depot Park contains a vintage diesel car and an information center in the old freight house at the trail's terminus in Bedford.

Note that the Minuteman Bikeway starts near Alewife station in Cambridge. However, it is also accessible from Davis Sq in Somerville (via the 1.5-mile Linear Path) and