Our Short Routes program is set for an East Coast expansion thanks to a recent partnership with the East Coast Greenway Alliance — a nonprofit working to develop a 3,000-mile, traffic-free route from Maine to Florida that connects 450 communities across 15 states. The Short Routes program is a collection of 50-200-mile routes that take two to five days to ride.

Together, we’re able to share the creation of four new Short Routes in New England. These routes come complete with suggested itineraries and showcase the best of the East Coast Greenway, all available to you now at no cost through Ride with GPS!

Boston to Cape Cod Loop

Sample the best of southern New England. From Boston, travel south to Providence, R.I., down the Narragansett Bay and east to Cape Cod, then ferry back to Boston from Provincetown. This route is mostly on paved trails, unpaved trails, and mostly quieter residential roads. Suggested trip length of five days.

Portland to Brunswick, Maine, Coastal

Explore a section of the Maine coast, East Coast Greenway, US Bike Route 1, and Adventure Cycling’s Atlantic Coast route with a majority on-road route from Portland, ME to Brunswick, ME. This trip can be done as a one-way paired with train or bus or as an out-and-back. There are Amtrak stops in Portland, Freeport, and Brunswick as well as BREEZ bus with multiple stops along the route. This route is almost entirely on road on rolling urban, residential, and rural roads and signed with East Coast Greenway and US Bike Route 1 wayfinding signage. There are many hotel and camping options in Freeport and in Brunswick.

Portland, Maine, to Newburyport, Massachusetts

Explore a section of the Maine and New Hampshire coasts, East Coast Greenway, US Bike Route 1, and Adventure Cycling’s Atlantic Coast route with a two-day cycling tour from Portland, ME to Newburyport, MA. The ride is relatively flat. Some of the route is on trail including beautiful stretches on the Eastern Trail south of Portland. Enjoy the views of the Atlantic Ocean along the New Hampshire route — it’s one of the few stretches of the East Coast Greenway that truly hugs the ocean coastline. You can ride the Amtrak Downeaster and Massachusetts Commuter Rail to connect from Portland to Boston and Newburyport to Boston.

Border to Boston

Explore trails from Boston to the New Hampshire border with rides from 17-75 miles. Options to combine rides with commuter rail for longer or shorter trips that are mostly flat and mostly on trail. There are hotel and airbnb accommodations in Newburyport, Salem, Boston, and other communities along the route.

Jenn Hamelman, our Director of Routes, expressed her enthusiasm for this partnership, stating, “I’m pleased that the opportunity to showcase some of the best of the East Coast Greenway within the Short Routes program presented itself! These four routes are certain to appeal to the cyclist who wants to try bicycle travel, share the experience with a newer-to-cycling friend, or only has a few days to get out.”

Allison Burson, the National Greenway Director at the East Coast Greenway Alliance, also shared her thoughts: “As a fellow nonprofit, the East Coast Greenway Alliance’s trip-planning resources are limited, but these itineraries are a great way for us to efficiently share recommendations for safe and scenic rides on some of the most complete stretches of the Greenway. Stay tuned for more.”

These four routes in New England are available now, for no charge, and additional Short Routes along the rest of the route (mid-Atlantic and South) are coming soon.