Charles River Reservation Full Bike Loop is a 27.7 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Cambridge, Massachusetts that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
Follow this guide along the Charles River Bike Path all the way out to the Blue Heron Bike Path in Waltham and back.This guide completes a huge loop of the Charles River all the way to Waltham and back to the Cambridgeside Galleria. I've created a lot of POI's for the most interesting areas of the main Charles River Bike Path but have drawn an accurate track all the way out to Waltham and back if you would like to go that far. You will make a loop around the Mt. Feake Cemetery and head back on the opposite side of the river for different views. Beyond this the Charles River piddles out into a swampy area then a small river so it's not worth going further.
You will want to park in the Cambridgeside Galleria near the Museum of Science in Cambridge to start your ride. There is a fee per hour but it is worth it for the convenience.
December 20, 2020December 11, 2020Bumpy
October 27, 2020too many convoluted street crossings
October 22, 2020October 15, 2020October 11, 2020October 10, 2020Lovely 45 min walk, loved listening to the wind in the trees. Not very scenic but not crowded
September 25, 2020I drove this to gauge elevation.
September 7, 2020September 4, 2020August 21, 2020Route on phone is hard to understand if your not from the area
August 9, 2020If you like a really nice bike ride with many different types of scenic views, you’ll love this one. Really love all the changes of scenery. From big city scapes, it small river views and then wooded trail. Highly recommend it!
July 5, 2020We took the full loop in 2 parts from Moody Street in Waltham where there is currently free parking in the Municipal Garage next to the movie theatre. We biked down on the 3rd during COVID to the hatch shell about 13 miles and made our way to our hotel for over night stay and dinner in town, the trip would have been impossible any other 4th of July as normally there would be 500k peeps on the banks of the river and Esplsnade. The biking is flat, and easy and we biked along at leisure 8 to 10 mph. The route is very shaded and even a bit rural to Watertown Square about the 1st 4.5 miles, then it can be very crowded after Harvard Bridge and you really can't get up any speed as it really isn't safe with many small riders out with family. Still the ride offers some wonderful views, and photo oops at BU bridge are tremendous. A chance for a 26.5 mile loop out and back is a rare thing. I would give it a 5 but for the traffic there are many spots to grab a sandwich or cold drink along the way two including vendor trucks and even spots to rent kyacs and conoe's
June 27, 2020Only did a few miles of this trail but it was really awesome! Participated in a river clean up with a group of eco-friendly peeps.
May 28, 2020A nice easy city escape. This is a shared path and the section near the Hatch Shell gets very crowded with people, so an early start is highly recommended. Once you are west of the BU bridge the frequency of people decreases. There is a mix of shady and sunny sections.
May 8, 2020A great escape from the city along the Charles when you get passed the Brighton area! Would recommend going in the morning if biking the loop to avoid walkers as best as possible!
January 21, 2020Nice if you need a path to run long distance
September 29, 2019Lovely trail, love the fact that it’s a loop, went the whole way, but the cemetery loop was closed today. Fun ride!
June 14, 2019if you are biking on the part of the trail near the hatch she'll do it in the morning because it can get really crowded and people are not friendly
August 17, 2018Beautiful ride under trees and along the river. The day I rode my bicycle weather was perfect.
June 17, 2017Great out and back bike ride along the Charles. Highly recommended.
December 24, 2020November 28, 2020November 20, 2020October 31, 2020October 10, 2020September 21, 2020September 20, 2020September 13, 2020September 7, 2020
