Barnstable
Barnstable's segment of the Atlantic Circuit Trail, known locally as the 'Barnstable Red Trail', or simply 'Cape Cod Pathways', cuts across the town along the spine of the geologic Cape Cod Moraine, a chain of hills stretching as far as Dennis. The route connects several protected properties, including West Barnstable Conservation Area, Bridge Creek Conservation Area, Old Jail Lane, and the Trayser property. The route is still a work in progress, and currently sits at roughly 86 percent completion. Along the completed sections, users will traverse a myriad of environments, including forested uplands, cranberry bogs, tidal wetlands, and a town center.
Signed Miles
Off-Road Miles
~9
11.8
Total Miles
13.6
News
2022/2023
New England Mountain Bike Association, with help from Barnstable Land Trust, replaced an approximately 180-foot stretch of the Cape Cod Pathways coaligned with the Trayser Trail with a new approximately 185-foot wooden plank boardwalk. For years, this stretch of the Cape Cod Pathways has seen flooding and muddy conditions, making it difficult for trail users to traverse it. Now, trail users can stay high and dry on a boardwalk with great views of a nearby marsh. Thanks to both organizations for improving this stretch for the benefit of future trail users.
Cape Cod Community College Trail Reroute
In Fall 2023, a section of the Cape Cod Pathways spine route passing through Cape Cod Community College was rerouted on to roughly 1 mile of woodland trail. Part of a larger loop, this 1-mile stretch takes the Cape Cod Pathways off of the sidewalk adjacent to the college 'ring road'. The new route, built by the New England Mountain Bike Association, was officially completed in November, and takes trail users past a solar farm, around a soccer field, along the edge of a horse farm, and through wooded uplands. Blazing is still in progress at this time, but users can follow trail marker arrows to identify the new route.
Barnstable State Forest Reroute
In November 2022, an approximately 750-foot stretch of the Cape Cod Pathways through a portion of Barnstable State Forest and the YMCA Cape Cod parking lot was rerouted onto roughly 700 feet of new woodland trail. This new stretch, which takes users off of the paved parking lot, is dedicated to Philip Keyes, the former executive director of the New England Mountain Bike Association, who unfortunately passed away in November 2022. The reroute traverses a small ridgeline just west of the YMCA parking lot. Blazing and signage are still a work in progress at this time.