Biking in Martha’s Vineyard Bike Trail Map, is special because you’ll find not just the slick, well-kept paths that are native to the Cape but also long stretches of road with hardly any traffic that, despite being bumpy in some places, travel through breathtaking rural landscapes with sweeping ocean views. Serious cyclists should take a one-day journey around the Island, passing via the communities on the up-island, out to Aquinnah, stopping in Menemsha, and then returning down-island. All six Vineyard villages are on your route, and you’ll come across some interesting off-the-beaten-path enterprises.
You’ll be traveling on rural roads for most of the journey, so watch out for sand shoulders and blind corners. By using the below-listed routes, such as the Moshup Trail to Aquinnah or the triangle of paved bike trails between the down-island communities, you can avoid tour buses. The down-island municipalities of Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, and Vineyard Haven are connected by these bike lanes, which are approximately 8 miles apart (the sound portion along Beach Rd., flanked by water on both sides, is especially scenic). You can also travel to South Beach by bicycle from Edgartown by using the bike route (also known as Katama Beach). In Oak Bluffs, West Tisbury, and Edgartown, the bike routes are reachable via Edgartown-West Tisbury Road.
Vineyard, Martha
Not many people are aware that Martha’s Vineyard Bike Trail Map contains more than 200 miles of public trails on land that is protected. The Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation curates these. For further details about the paths on the Island, visit their website. The Trails MV app is featured there. Which one a phone or a GPS device can download? While on the trails, it will display the exposition you are at. The Island is a lot of fun to ride on. The pathways are beautiful and frequently unexpected, given the Island’s growth. Both cool, peaceful forest pathways and stunning seaside vistas are available. Throughout the year, people ride here. Given the properties of the soil, mud is uncommon. Similarly, snow, while present, doesn’t stick around for very long.
Ride On With Our Biking Guide for Martha’s Vineyard Bike Trail Map
Bike six kilometers to South Beach and back
Take your beach supplies and the bike path to South Beach to avoid the hassles of beach parking. This bike route is very much a straight shot along Katama Road from Edgartown, making it good for those who have trouble with directions. This Martha’s Vineyard riding route is three miles long and a fantastic day trip for new cyclists (plus, practice always improves with a lazy afternoon at the beach). Spend the day swimming in the water, pack a picnic lunch, and then take a leisurely ride back to Edgartown.
Take the 16-mile loop through Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Vineyard Haven.
We advise you to take a tour of our northern bordering towns if you want to up the ante on your riding but still value the option to stop, go shopping, and have a glass of wine in the middle of your ride. Take the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven path out of Edgartown (we’ll save the most stunning sights for when you’re feeling a little more worn out). Before you reach Vineyard Haven, you’ll get a peek at the serene, verdant center of the Island along this seven-mile drive. Keep it light while refueling at Black Dog Tavern because there are still miles to travel.
Utilize a Fully 100-Kilometre Biking Tour of Martha’s Vineyard
Okay, full disclosure: despite the fact that Martha’s Vineyard may appear to be a little island when viewed from Google Earth, the Island actually has a sizable circumference. The complete island loop is hard for the faint of heart and measures roughly 100 kilometers. Take the Cycle MV Bicycle Challenge and head out of Edgartown in the direction of Oak Bluffs if you’re feeling froggy. We know you can control the MV Challenge’s route down County Road and then back up on the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven trail (though we won’t tell if you chose to cheat). The Down-Island Loopers must take a shortcut between Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven. The challenging thing now is to go 17 miles on State Road beyond Chilmark until you reach Aquinnah. We strongly advise stopping by one of the scrumptious food stalls by the lighthouse to fill up. And for heaven’s sake, stop for a moment!
Advice For Cycling Safely On Martha’s Vineyard Bike Trail Map
In traffic, bicycles should ride. Ride only with traffic!
Under-16 bikers are required to wear a helmet (adults should do the same).
A white front light, a red rear light, and reflectors on both pedals (or the cyclist’s ankles) are required for bicycles that are ridden. At night, it’s also necessary to wear reflective gear or reflectors that may be seen from the sides.
Although the Island’s charming narrow country roads frequently offer little to no shoulder for bikers, this is especially true Up-Island. By riding to the right and, if riding in a group, by allowing enough space for passing, you can make it easy for drivers to share the road.
Except in downtown areas where it is prohibited, riding on sidewalks is permitted.
Even when a path is nearby, cyclists ALWAYS have the good to ride on the road.
Off-Road Martha’s Vineyard Bike Trail Map : Travel the Road Less Traveled
Tisbury Meadow Preserve to Wapatequa Woods Reservation (Tisbury)
What’s not to enjoy about a simple ride through stunning scenery? Bicycle through the woods, down dirt roads, and past a large meadow by going to Wapatequa Wood Reservation and Tisbury Meadow Preserve. All skill levels may complete the 4-mile out-and-back track that connects the two Land Bank properties; it even has natural snack stops; keep a look out for blueberry and huckleberry bushes while you ride.
Road to Herring Creek (Vineyard Haven)
Is the purpose more important than the distance? By cycling down Herring Creek Road in Vineyard Haven, you may combine a brief bike ride with a day at the beach. The Herring Creek Beach conservation area, which you’ll follow the entire way, is where the flat, 0.6-mile ride starts. After a few rides on the trail, you’ll be deserving a swim at the neighboring Lake Tashmoo Town Beach.
Thimble Farm to State Forest
A. F. Manuel Correllus More than 5,300 acres of forest cover the State Forest, which has 14 miles of paved and wooded routes you may explore on foot or a bicycle. Take an 8-mile circle that starts in the state park and travels to the Greenlands to get away from the traffic. After taking a stop at the Little Duarte’s Pond Preserve, go to circle Thimble Farm.
Pennywise Preserve and Dr. Fisher Road At the Pennywise Preserve of the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank, you can pedal down a trail that has seen some history. The trails here can transport you back in time to the middle of the 1800s as you pedal down the historic Doctor Fisher Path and the Tar Kiln Path, which were originally used to transport grain from West Tisbury to Edgartown.
Three Ponds National Reserve
Bring your bike on the Chappy Ferry to explore the biking paths of our neighboring Island, Martha’s Vineyard. Explore Chappaquiddick’s Three Ponds Reservation by bicycle while passing Buttonbush, Brine, and Winterberry Ponds. Bring your swimsuit and some water shoes when it’s very hot so you can enjoy a refreshing dip at Cape Poge Bay.
Reservation for Poucha Pond
A bike ride through Poucha Pond Reservation is the better thing you can do if you enjoy the outdoors. The routes wind through open fields and forested areas, with numerous opportunities to pause for breathtaking views (on a clear day, you may even see the Nantucket Islands). When cycling by the Poucha Pond marsh, keep a lookout for birds; egrets and herons love to visit here.
Cycling On The Vineyard
Riding is one of the most popular ways to enjoy and explore Martha’s Vineyard, and the Island has miles and miles of biking paths. Biking is a terrific way to see the natural beauty of Martha’s Vineyard, with family-friendly bike trails Down-Island and difficult uphill excursions Up-Island. It’s simple to incorporate into our video discovery series. Bucket list for Martha’s Vineyard: Cycling on The Vineyard
Cycling on The Vineyard Down-Island
Bike riding is incredibly popular in Down Island. Here are some of our favorite cycling routes. Particularly lovely is the six-mile trip from Oak Bluffs to Edgartown. On one side of the trip, Nantucket Sound may be seen, and on the other, Sengekontacket. The majority of this bike trail is flat, and you even get to cross the Jaws Bridge!
Biking Up-Island Vineyard
Miles and miles of paved bike routes wind through Up-Island and Down-Island in the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest. The surroundings vary as the ride continues. For a pleasant surprise on the route in West Tisbury, be sure to watch our Vineyard Bucket List film.
On Martha’s Vineyard Bike Trail Map, Biking
Martha’s Vineyard is a great spot to ride, whether you’re bringing your pricey road bike and spandex or renting a bike on-island for a leisurely day. All ferries will accept bikes for less than $10 if you are riding your own. If you have a few bags, you have two options for getting to your destination: either have a cab bring your luggage to your location or locations, where you can then cycle there, or put your bags, bikes, and body in a taxi. On the Island, there are also many bike rentals, some of which will even deliver your bikes. Beach cruisers, mountain bikes, and kids’ bikes are available from Anderson’s Bike Rental, Sun and Fun, and MVA Bike. Even electric bikes are available at the final two rental businesses. The focus of this blog will be cycling between Katama and Chappaquiddick and the smaller island communities. Last but not least, if you become tired, don’t worry; buses and cabs have bike racks.
How to Ride a Bike in Edgartown
One of our favorite summertime hobbies is biking around Martha’s Vineyard. Avoid the headaches of parking on this little Cape Cod island by riding to the beach for the day, biking to Bad Martha Brewing for happy hour, and, most importantly, avoiding it altogether. Bring your bike or rent one the next time you visit one of our upscale Edgartown hotels to explore the Island on two wheels.
There are three locations in Edgartown where you can rent bikes. All three bike rental companies—Edgartown Bike Rentals, Wheel Happy Bicycles, and Martha’s Vineyard Bike Rentals—rent out cozy hybrid bikes that provide a smooth ride both on and off the road. Additionally, accessories like helmets (mandatory for children 16 and under), bike trailers, and tagalong bikes are offered, along with a mountain, road, and even tandem bikes. Once you have a bike, decide where you want to go. Bike north to the nearby town of Oak Bluffs for a brief excursion. The famed gingerbread cottages may be seen in downtown Oak Bluffs, which is about a 6-mile ride away. If you travel along the coast on Beach Road from Edgartown, you can go over the Jaws bridge and enter the city. East Chop Light has located a little distance outside of town along East Chop Rd. This vantage point provides a view of Vineyard Sound and the mainland ferry’s approach.
From Edgartown, ride your bike to South Beach in the south. The entire family can cycle the simple 3-1/2 mile route. You may locate a level, paved bike path on Katama Road, a short distance outside of town. At the beach, bike racks make for convenient storage. Once you take the ferry across to Chappaquiddick, you may also ride a bike to the beaches there. To fully explore this tiny Island off Edgartown, bring your bicycle. For insider advice, see our article on visiting Chappy for a day.
Check out the bike map provided by the Chamber of Commerce for additional Martha’s Vineyard cycling routes. There are several different types of biking in Edgartown, from lengthier up-island routes best suited for distance bikers to mountain biking the interior.
South Beach Loop and Katama Road
Enjoy the bike paths along Katama Rd for a wonderful run to just unwind if you’re staying in Edgartown or the nearby Mattakesett region. Leave the rest of the family to lug the beach equipment and deal with parking. It’s open, so on a hot day, be mindful of the sun. For Katama, there are promising signals.
Once at South Beach, proceed along Atlantic Dr. for approximately 1 mile via South Beach State Park before returning to Edgartown via Herring Creek Road for a complete 6-mile loop. The farm can be seen quite well.
Take Edgartown Road, which offers lovely marsh views, past Katama Point, and then Bayview Road to return to Katama Road for a pleasant detour. 1.25 kilometers away.
Commonly Asked Questions
How much time does cycling around Martha’s Vineyard take?
As you ride your bicycle around the Island, you will pass the Aquinnah Lighthouse. In order to avoid crowds and because it gets hotter later in the day, we start at 7 a.m. A competent adult biker can complete this route in around 4 hours.
Does Martha’s Vineyard have bike paths?
Biking is on Martha’s Vineyard’s bucket list Up-Island Vineyard. There are countless miles of paved bike routes that go through Up-Island and Down-Island in the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest.
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