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Charles River Bike Path

Description | Ratings

Trail description: The Dr. Paul Dudley White Pathway traces both banks of the Charles River for a total of 18 miles.
Caution: The trails crosses one of Boston's worst intersections at River Street and Soldiers Field Road.
Access fee: No charge
Towns along the trail: Boston, Cambridge, Watertown
Web site: Charles River Reservation Charles River Conservancy
Trail map: Available on the website
Trail surface: Paved
Designated activities: Bicycling, inline skating, walking, paddling, rowing
Facilities on the trail:
Points of interest: Museum of Science, free concerts at Hatch Memorial Shell Esplanade
Lodging: Boston has many hotels and other accommodations
Camping:
Bike shops: Several bike shops are nearny
Weather forecast: Boston
Tourism info: Greater Boston Visitors Bureau
Getting to the trail: Several T-stations are near the east end of the trail
Map of local region: Boston

Rate this section of trail

Number of ratings: 3
Average rating: 4.00  

3        

Trail name: Charles River Bike Path
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: Apr, 2005
Sections that I biked: From the Hatch Shell to Waltham.
My favourite sections of the trail: The stretch between the Hatch Shell and Harvard University is one of my favorite ways to see the city. But the stretch from Harvard to Waltham is more of an adventure. The path ends, or so it seems, many times. Keep a sharp eye and you'll find your way all the way to Waltham. Many offroad sections, as well as wooden bridges. Makes for a delightful afternoon.
Best time to go: Spring/summer/fall
Trail marking: Fair
Trail maintenance: Fair
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: The Charles - the many interesting bridges - birds and other wildlife.
What I disliked: A little rough in some of the paved parts (mostly tree branches).
Comments: Find Moody Street in Waltham - there is a restaurant called So Cal. Awesome wraps - perfect fuel for the ride back home.
Submitted by: Jesse
Date submitted: April 26, 2005

2          

Trail name: Charles River Bike Path
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: Sept, 2004
Sections that I biked: From MIT to Waltham ( Rt. 128).
My favourite sections of the trail: Bridges in Waltham.
Best time to go:
Trail marking: Fair
Trail maintenance: Fair
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: The trail has some gorgeous scenery. Bring a camera. Many places to rest, grab a drink, etc. Watch for the abandoned bridges in Waltham.
What I disliked: The only problem is that many sections in Watertown, Newton, and Waltham are still under construction and the route is poorly marked in places.
Comments:
Submitted by: CP
from: Wrentham, MA
Date submitted: Feb 8, 2005

1        

Trail name: Charles River Bike Path
Times biking the trail: Several
Date of last visit: August, 2003
Sections that I biked: entire trail except Watertown portion
My favourite sections of the trail: hatch shell area, mit area

Best time to go: summer, fall, spring
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Fair
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: I love the trail, with the exeption of how crowded it is.
I'm biking it tonight!
What I disliked: too many people, too narrow in some areas.
Comments: a few "hazardous areas" along Storrow Drive & Memorial Drive... Storrow near the Mass Pike exit - the path is too narrow and it's directly next to traffic. Same situation on Memorial Drive as you go over water in the Kendall Square area.
Submitted by: sk
from: watertown, ma
Date submitted: Aug 23, 2004