A1 Trails
Rail Trails in Massachusetts

Minuteman Bikeway

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Trail description: The 11-mile Minuteman Bikeway from Cambridge northwest to Bedford is one of the most popular rail trails in the US.
Access fee: No charge
Towns along the trail: Cambridge, Arlington Center, Lexington Center and Bedford, MA
Web site: Minuteman Bikeway
Related links: Friends of the Community Path | Bedford Depot Park
Trail map: Available on the trail's website
Trail surface: Paved
Designated activities: Bicycling, walking, in-line skating, cross-country skiing
Facilities on the trail: Toilets available at Depot Park in Bedford, Lexington Visitor's Center, and Alewife Station
Points of interest: The first battle of the American Revolution was fought at Lexington Common, hence the name Minuteman. Bedford Depot Park will eventually have a restored Boston & Main railroad car that has been converted into a museum.
Lodging: Boston and Bedford have many choices of accommodation
Camping: Campgrounds near Bedford
Bike shops: There are several bike stores near Bedford
Weather forecast: Bedford
Tourism info: Greater Boston Visitors Bureau
Getting to the trail: Cambridge is in the eastern suburbs of Boston. By public transit: Take the MBTA commuter train to the Alewife station at Cambridge.
Map of local region: Cambridge

Rate this section of trail

Number of ratings: 1
Average rating: 5.00

Trail name: Minuteman Bikeway
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: August, 2004
Sections that I biked: All sections
My favourite sections of the trail: Much greener in Bedford - Lexington
Best time to go: Spring or Fall - Summer is quite crowded
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: A unique car-free paved bike path in a heavily populated area.
What I disliked: Don't go for the scenary. This is a bike path through the crowded suburbs of Boston. It is very heavily used by everyone from toddlers learning to ride up to very fit bike racers using the path to get out of town and to their training locations.
Comments: Goes through the centers of Arlington and Lexington with varied eating options. A great way to access the bucolic bike options in the Concord area from the city.
Submitted by: DR
from: Carlisle MA
Date submitted: Aug 9, 2004