The Cape Cod Canal is edged by level, well-maintained service roads perfect for biking. The mainland side has almost 7 miles of trail; the Cape side has 6.5 miles. Access points along the mainland side of the canal include Scusset State Park off Scusset Beach Road; the Sagamore Recreation Area off Canal Road at the Sagamore Bridge; near the Bournedale...

The Cape Cod Rail Trail begins in Dennis (the southern/western end) and terminates in Wellfleet at LeCount Hollow Road (where there is parking), just east of Route 6. Little Capistrano Bike Shop is located near the northern end of the trail, open seasonally, and rents a full line of bicycles for the whole family.

The Cape Cod Rail Trail is a former railroad bed that winds 25 miles from Dennis to Wellfleet (it’s northern end), paralleling — in a squiggly way — Route 6. It’s pretty darn flat, paved, and allows bikers, runners, equestrians, and Rollerbladers access to some sweet scenery. There are lots of spots to veer off and while away the hours, including...

Head of the Meadow Beach (and Bike Trail) in North Truro is a lovely stretch of beach where people come here for play and peace. The wreck of the good ship Frances (often visible at low tide) shares the waters with seals and occasional distant whales. This beach has a combination of fine waves for boogie boarders and body surfers, and a...

Cruising through the Cape on a bike is the height of ahhhhhhh… Holiday Cycles in Falmouth shines brightly with friendly, accommodating staff and a slew of surreys (four-seaters with a canopy), tandems, and regular bikes. They’ll guide you to the best route for whatever suits your fancy. Ask for details about the 23-mile Sippewissett route.

Little Capistrano Bikes, a full-service and family-owned bike shop in Eastham, is smack-dab in Cape Cod Rail Trail country. They rent, repair, and sell bikes for all kinds of ages and riding abilities — including hybrid, mountain, cruiser, tandems, joggers, recumbents, kids’ bikes, trailers…you name it. Their Wellfleet location (1446 Route 6 South) is open only in season. Winding through...

It would take several days to exhaust yourself of everything that Nickerson State Park in Brewster has to offer. The thick forest, seamed with walking and biking trails and sprinkled with glacial “kettle” ponds, awaits exploration. The 25-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail Bike Path cuts through the Brewster park. Miles of loop-de-loop bike trails meander throughout the park as well,...

If Province Lands National Seashore in Provincetown is your first stop to get to know the Cape, you’ve chosen well. If you already are familiar with the Cape, a stop here will deepen your appreciation of the natural variety that fills this stunning ecosystem. But first things first: Climb atop the observation deck for a 360-degree view of the outermost...

From Falmouth to Woods Hole, the Shining Sea Bike Path is a popular recreational trail that follows the old Penn Central Railroad line, blissfully bypassing snarly summer traffic. This flat-as-a-pancake path winds beneath canopies of elms and oaks, along the beach, through marshes, and the Salt Pond Bird Sanctuary. The path’s name recalls the final line in the song, “America...