16 must-see East Coast Greenway segments

Maine: Eastern Trail, 19 miles: Just south of Portland, this trail runs south from Scarborough to West Kennebunk, mostly on crushed stone and asphalt. The highlight is the stretch through the stunning Scarborough Marsh, the largest saltwater marsh in Maine, where you’ll join kayakers and avid birders viewing peregrine falcons, ibis and many other impressive birds.

Massachusetts: Charles River Bike Path, Boston to Waltham; 12.5 miles: Join runners, walkers, commuting cyclists and bike-share tourists on this busy east-west winding greenway with great views of the Boston skyline and the campuses of Harvard and MIT.

Rhode Island: Washington Secondary Bike Path, Cranston to Coventry, 19 miles: Cross half the width of the Ocean State on this rail-trail that transitions from an urban feel at its eastern end to rural on the western end, with views of ponds and brick mills in town centers in between.

Connecticut: Three great trails tie for our favorite in the Nutmeg State: The Hop River Trail and Charter Oak Greenway take you west-to-east from East Hartford to Willimantic (25 miles) then the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail travels north-south from Simsbury to New Haven, 47 miles to the campus of Yale University. Travel through woods, marshes, over bridges and through parks.

New York: Hudson River Greenway, New York City, 13.6 miles: The Greenway is a great way to travel north and south on the island of Manhattan, with broad views of the Hudson River. This most populated stretch of East Coast Greenway begins at Battery Park and travels the length of the island to Inwood Hill Park. At rush hour, join the throngs of bicycle commuters and recreationalists, runners and walkers. Can’t get enough? Come back downtown on Manhattan’s East River Greenway to complete a full loop of the island.

New York: Bronx River Greenway Starlight Park and Concrete Plant Park, 1.4 miles: Take a walk or short bike ride along this very special section of the Bronx River Greenway and experience the wonder of New York City’s long-buried ecology. While you’re there, visit our friends at Bronx River Alliance in their headquarters at the River House, spot native New York City birds and check out the Foodway, one of New York City’s only edible food forests. This short greenway excursion offers a lot to explore and can be extended with miles of more East Coast Greenway in the Bronx.

New Jersey: D&R Canal Trail, New Brunswick to Trenton, 36 miles: This historic natural surface path following the canal makes for beautiful, flat riding, running or walking. Watch turtles sun themselves on logs, then plop in the water. Be aware of occasional flooding, and you may want to walk your bike over the large cobblestones of the spillways.

Pennsylvania: John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge Trail, 8 miles: Family friendly dirt and crushed-stone trails through the nation’s first urban natural refuge, established in 1972, let you explore Tinicum Marsh, Darby Creek, meadows and woodlands. Find yourself mere steps away from I-95 and the Philadelphia airport and just a few miles from downtown Philly, but worlds away.

Delaware: Jack Markell Trail, Wilmington to New Castle, 8 miles: Start in downtown Wilmington with the riverwalk and head out to the DuPont Environmental Education Center, with its riveting view of the Christina River and wildlife refuge. A boardwalk, opened in 2018 as part of the Jack Markell Trail, takes you south to the charming historic town of New Castle, with another beautiful stretch of Greenway along the Delaware River. 

Maryland: Torrey C. Brown Trail, Cockeysville, 7 miles: This charming crushed limestone trail follows the Big Gunpowder River with tall trees for shade and picturesque farms across the river. The trail continues north at Monkton while the East Coast Greenway interim on-road route heads east.

Maryland: B&A Trail, Glen Burnie to Arnold, 13.3 miles: A well-loved and well-used paved trail following a former rail line through communities, parks and wooded areas. Amenities such as restaurants and bike shops are convenient to the trail in a number of spots. The route picks up from the John Overstreet Connector Trail to the BWI Trail Loop and heads south to just outside of Annapolis. Note that the southern end of the B&A Trail in Arnold stops short of Annapolis with an on-road stretch of about 2 miles of MD-450, including a shoulder but no sidewalk or bike facility.

Maryland and Washington, D.C.: Maryland and Washington, D.C.: Anacostia River Trail, 13 miles: Pleasant, family friendly ride along paved trails by the river through parks, with bike/pedestrian bridges. The route takes the Anacostia River Trail into Maryland to the junction of the Northeast Branch and Northwest Branch trails, where the Greenway continues on the Northeast Branch before eventually heading east towards Bowie and Annapolis. You will be amazed by the natural scenery and animals you may spot so close to D.C. along this stretch of trail. In the capital, connect with the two miles of the Greenway along the National Mall, past the monuments and museums, and the Mount Vernon Trail across the Potomac, heading south into Virginia on a winding, well-loved trail.

Virginia: Virginia Capital Trail, Richmond to Jamestown, 52 miles: Begin in Richmond, a city full of heritage and great eats. Explore the Greenway downtown, passing by vibrant murals and sculptures, and check out a unique bike-pedestrian suspension bridge to Belle Isle in the James River. Then hop on the Virginia Capital Trail and follow the James River and State Route 5 southeast to Jamestown Settlement, offering a look at early American living. In between, pass battlegrounds and wildlife refuges, historic homes and parks.

North Carolina: Cross-Triangle Greenway, Clayton to Durham to Raleigh, 45 miles: Enjoy 56 miles almost entirely on deciduous tree shaded, paved and soft surface trail from Clayton to Durham. If you'd like to do this as a one way rather than an out and back, you can ride the train from Durham to Raleigh and begin in Raleigh. Alternatively, leave downtown Durham at the trailhead of the American Tobacco Trail, across from the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and enjoy a traffic-free greenway to downtown Raleigh. The East Coast Greenway’s first complete metro area features city parks, the grounds of the state’s art museum, two universities and scenic boardwalks through woods and marshes. Extend your trip east to Clayton on the Neuse River Trail for a 70-mile route, nearly all on spectacular greenways.

South Carolina: Spanish Moss Trail, Beaufort to Port Royal, 12 miles: This flat, scenic trail is perfect for a family ride or stroll. Ride through beautiful wetlands and past historic buildings, including straight through the middle of the old Beaufort Depot. 

Florida: Amelia Island and Timucuan Trail, 13 miles: Begin at Peters Point Beachfront Park and follow the Amelia Island Trail alongside A1A on the shore. A short on-road section and bridge crossing lead you to the Timucuan Trail, running through Big Talbot and Little Talbot State Parks and offering beautiful views of the coast with side trails to beaches. Interesting ecological area created from the multiple rivers flowing into the Atlantic ocean.