Map of bike paths / walking paths in New Bedford & Fall River, MA

Recreational Trails for walking & cycling in New Bedford, Fairhaven & Fall River, Massachusetts

New Bedford, Fairhaven and Fall River are located in Southeastern Massachusetts. New Bedford is a post city located on Buzzards Bay. Fall River is situated along the Taunton River. This area is located to the south of Boston and in between Cape Cod and Providence, Rhode Island.

New Bedford Harbor Walk

The New Bedford Harbor Walk is a 4-1/4-mile long paved walking path located along the top of the New Bedford Hurricane Barrier. This area is located just south of Downtown New Bedford. The trail follows both sides of the peninsula and includes a bridge over to the Fort Phoenix State Reservation.

The trail provides beautiful views of the boat traffic on Buzzards Bay and Clarks Cove. Parking is available in Hazelwood Park. Fort Rodman is located at the tip of the peninsula. East Beach is also located in this area. The path follows alongside Gifford Street that goes past Palmer Island and its lighthouse to the bridge that allows ship traffic into the port.

The Fort Phoenix State Reservation is located just a few blocks south of the Phoenix Rail Trail.

Phoenix Rail Trail

The Phoenix Rail Trail is a 4.4-mile long paved pathway that spans between Fairfax and Mattapoisett to the east of Downtown New Bedford. The trail follows the route of an abandoned railroad right-of-way. The trail is open for walking and bike riding.

The western end of the rail trail is located at the intersection of Main Street and South Street in Fairhaven.  From this point, the trail follows alongside South Street then heads across marshy wetlands to David Drown Boulevard. In this area, a separate branch of the trail heads south to Little Bay. The main trail continues to the east passing farmland and forested areas.

The eastern end of the Phoenix Rail Trail is located at the south end of Reservation Road in Mattapoisett.

Fall River Waterfront Trail

The Fall River Waterfront Trail is a walking path that wanders along the waterfront area along the Taunton River in the City of Fall River. The south end of the pathway is located at Fall River Heritage State Park on the north side of the bridge for Interstate 195. The USS Massachusetts is docked at this location in Battleship Cove.

The Waterfront Trail goes past abandoned piers, a marina, and Bicentennial Park.

A separate paved trail crosses the Taunton River with the bridge for State Highway 6.

Resources

Following are links to official off-site resources to find out more details about the recreational trails for bike riding and walking in New Bedford, Fairfax, Mattapoisett & Fall River, Massachusetts.