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Shining Sea Path Trailhead Depot Rd
4.8 ★★★★★ 24 Google reviews · Running trail in North Falmouth, Massachusetts · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- 10 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Shining Sea Path Trailhead Depot Rd's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Shining Sea Path Trailhead Depot Rd
“The trail is mostly flat and passes by some beautiful farm and marsh lands as it makes it way down to Woods Hole along beautiful coastline.”
Shining Sea Bikeway is a very pretty trail that takes you through many shaded stretches, along a picturesque pond with swans, and then along the sea shore, complete with stacks of wishing rocks. At the Woods Hole end is a sandwich shop/bakery.
The parking lot for the Shining Sea Bike Trail is off Rt. 151 in N. Falmouth and it’s free. There are 2 outhouses there as well as a bike-repair stand with assorted tools and a water fountain station. The paved route to Woods Hole is 10.6 miles and is easy. Several benches are located along the route.
IM ALWAYS READY TO VENTURE ANOTHER PATH/TRAIL AND IM VERY HAPPY TO HAVE GONE AND WITNESSED THE CRANBERRY HARVEST ON BOTH SIDES OF THE PATH. THERE ARE WHIMSICAL ART DISPLAYS, A PATIO ON THE RAILROAD TRACKS TO HAVE LUNCH.THE PATH RUNS ALONG VINEYARD SOUND ABOUT 50’ FROM THE SANDY SHORELINE FOR 1/2 MILE OR SO. FYI.
The Shining Sea Bike Trail is a rail trail. It's flat and offers some beautiful views of cranberry bogs, woods, beaches, and offshoots near the beachside. There is a bike rental company at the beginning of the trail in Falmouth. Please note!
Trail conditions & character
“The trail is mostly flat and passes by some beautiful farm and marsh lands as it makes it way down to Woods Hole along beautiful coastline.”
“The trail is about 10 miles each way, and parking at the northern end is plentiful.”
“The trail is about 10 miles each way, and parking at the northern end is plentiful.”
“The trail is mostly flat and passes by some beautiful farm and marsh lands as it makes it way down to Woods Hole along beautiful coastline.”
“At the far north there are some root heaves but they are grinding most of them down the rest of the way.”
“There are 2 outhouses there as well as a bike-repair stand with assorted tools and a water fountain station.”
Plan your run at Shining Sea Path Trailhead Depot Rd
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Distance10 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, water — reported by runners
- Websitefalmouthma.gov
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