Best Bike Paths Around Cambridge
Explore bike paths and greenways connecting Cambridge, Somerville, Boston, and beyond.
Cambridge connects directly to a broad network of shared-use paths across Somerville, Boston, Watertown, Arlington, and beyond. These routes are useful for bike commuting, walking, running, weekend rides, and many everyday trips without a car. Many offer long stretches separated from motor vehicle traffic, although road crossings and short on-street connections vary by route.
Before you go: Construction, temporary closures, and detours can change. Follow the official links below for route information and updates.
Charles River Bike Paths and Greenway
The paths along the Charles River form one of Greater Boston’s most useful walking and biking corridors. The Charles River Reservation includes more than 20 miles of trails. In Cambridge, the river paths run alongside Memorial Drive; across the river, they continue through Boston along the Esplanade and other riverfront sections. Farther west, the network reaches Watertown and Waltham and connects with additional greenways.
Somerville Community Path
The Somerville Community Path provides a largely off-street connection from the Cambridge and Lechmere area through Somerville. The Community Path Extension follows the Green Line Extension corridor, with access near East Somerville, Gilman Square, Magoun Square, and other neighborhoods before connecting with the older path toward Davis Square.
From Davis Square, the route continues toward North Cambridge and Alewife through Cambridge’s Linear Park, connecting with the larger Alewife and Minuteman path network. (As of July 2026, the Linear Park remains under construction but a detour is in place and the city is seeking “substantial completion” by fall.)
Watertown–Cambridge Greenway
The Watertown–Cambridge Greenway follows a former railroad corridor from the Fresh Pond area into Watertown. Surrounded by trees and greenery for much of the route, it provides an off-street alternative to busier nearby roads for many local trips. The greenway is also an important piece of the larger network connecting the Charles River paths with Fresh Pond, Alewife, and the Minuteman Bikeway.
Minuteman Commuter Bikeway
The 10-mile Minuteman Bikeway begins at Alewife Station in North Cambridge and runs through Arlington and Lexington to Bedford. This paved rail trail passes town centers, residential neighborhoods, and conservation areas while providing one of the most direct off-street routes from Cambridge into the northwest suburbs. At Alewife, it connects with several other walking and biking routes.
Alewife Greenway
The Alewife Greenway follows Alewife Brook north from the Alewife area toward the Mystic River. It offers a quieter, greener route through a densely populated part of Greater Boston and helps connect the Minuteman and Alewife path network with greenways around Arlington, Somerville, and Medford.
Mystic River Greenways
The Mystic Greenways include a growing network of paths and waterfront parks along the Mystic River and its tributaries. Existing routes connect destinations around Medford, Somerville, Arlington, and Everett, including sections along the Mystic River, Alewife Brook, and Malden River. Additional projects are gradually filling gaps in the network, so the official Mystic Greenways map is especially useful when planning a longer trip.
Northern Strand Community Trail
The Northern Strand Community Trail follows a former railroad corridor from Everett through Malden, Revere, Saugus, and Lynn. The trail provides a long, paved route through a mix of city centers, neighborhoods, wooded areas, and open space. It is part of the larger East Coast Greenway network, with a future connection planned toward Nahant Beach.
Mass Central Rail Trail
The Mass Central Rail Trail follows the path of a railroad that once traversed the state all the way to Northampton. It offers forested scenery and access to the Bruce Freeman and Charles River bike paths. Currently, the trail runs between Waltham and Sudbury, while work is underway to complete the full 104-mile connection between Northampton and Boston.
Bruce Freeman Rail Trail
The Bruce Freeman Rail Trail is one of the longest bike paths in the state, offering 20 miles of flat, well-paved trails through historical communities including West Concord. Its southern terminus in Sudbury intersects with the Mass Central Rail Trail, and a 5-mile connection to Framingham is actively being planned. The trail can be accessed via commuter rail in Lowell and West Concord, making it easy to reach without a car despite its distance from Cambridge.
Getting Around Cambridge Without a Car
These greenways are only part of the walking and biking network in Cambridge and Greater Boston. They connect with Cambridge’s bike lanes, neighborhood streets, MBTA stations, parks, business districts, and nearby communities—making many everyday trips possible without driving.
Want to stay connected to better walking and biking in Cambridge? Join Cambridge Bike Safety for local updates, community events, useful resources, and opportunities to help make Cambridge streets safer and more comfortable for everyone.