Best Bike Trails On The North Shore
As the weather gets warmer and those winter doldrums become a thing of the past, thoughts quickly turn to outdoor exercise, with many North Shore bike trails receiving plenty of use by bike enthusiasts heading out from the city. Here are some of the best bike trails on the North Shore.
Stage Fort Park & Welcoming Center
Hough St.
Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 281-8865
www.essexheritage.org/stage-fort-park-gloucester-visitor-center
This Gloucester park has a little bit of everything for a summer day: beaching and BBQ for the family, a dog friendly walking area, a playground and hiking/biking trails for the outdoor exercise enthusiast. There's a $15 parking fee for the day, but it's well worth it, especially when Stage Fort Park's warm, comfortable atmosphere sets up a great day out that's perfect for families, couples and friends.
Maudslay State Park
74 Curzon Mill Road
Newburyport, MA 01950
(978) 465-7223
www.mass.gov/maudslay-state-park
This state park in the town of Newburyport has a little something for everyone, serving as a popular spring and summer park for many outdoor activities. Visitors seeking to indulge in biking, hiking and walking make up a large contingent of Maudslay State Park traffic, while fancier activities such as outdoor theater and even romantic outdoor weddings take place within the confines of this cozy Curzon Mill Road spot. Plenty of parking and spectacular scenery overlooking the Merrimack River makes Maudslay State Park a must-see North Shore secret for bike paths and beyond.
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Willowdale State Forest
Linebrook Road
Ipswich, MA 01938
(978) 887-5931
www.mass.gov/willowdale-state-forest
Mountain bikers take note, for the Willowdale State Forest is extremely accommodating to this outdoor passion, containing plenty of winding trails for bikers, hikers and walkers alike. There's a nice variety of difficulty to the paths, making route planning relatively easy for all skill levels, while the atmospheric scenery of Ipswich in the summertime makes a trip up here to Willowdale State Forest worth the price of admission alone. Check this one out!
Appleton Farms
219 Country Road
Ipswich, MA 01938
(978) 356-5728
www.thetrustees.org/appleton-farms
Applewood Farms is also conveniently located in Ipswich, Massachusetts, right off Country Road, making a double feature pairing with Willowdale State Forest highly possible for the early risers out there on the North Shore. This is a working farm that offers dairy and fresh produce to its faithful clientele, while mountain biking and horseback riding trails are located out back, making this an extremely worthy day option for a family weekend out in Ipswich.
Lynn Woods Reservation
106 Pennybrook Road
Lynn, MA 01905
(781) 593-7773
www.flw.org
Lynn Woods Reservation is a secret, hidden gem for mountain bikers, nature lovers and the outdoorsy types from all around Boston. Plenty of parking areas lead visitors to the fantastic scenery and view of Lynn Woods Reservation, while winding bike trails weave their way all around the reservation grounds. Bird watchers and wildlife lovers will also find plenty to enjoy here, making Lynn Wood Reservation something that possesses a widespread, across-the-board appeal for North Shore adventurers.
George Pacheco has been writing professionally about arts and entertainment for over a decade. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, George currently resides in a humble New England home with his wife, cat and massive music and film collection. His work can be found at Examiner.com.
