Minuteman Bikeway – Battle Road Trail loop from Concord

Bike touring routes & trails

United States

Massachusetts

Middlesex County

Minuteman Bikeway – Battle Road Trail loop from Concord

Hard

4.6

(5571)

18,536

riders

Minuteman Bikeway – Battle Road Trail loop from Concord

02:01

26.5km

120m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 14, 2026

Tips

Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route

After 14.6 km for 258 m

After 25.5 km for 63 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

1.70 km

Mill Brook Way

Nature Reserve

2.60 km

Moore's Swamp Overlook

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Reformatory Branch Trail, ideal for gravel bikes connects the historic towns of Bedford and Concord along a nearly 4-mile dirt road through wildlife refuges that ends a short distance from the North Bridge.

Tip by

4.13 km

Great Meadow Park Common Land

Highlight • Viewpoint

Here is a beautiful view of the Great Meadows. This National Wildlife Refuge, is one of the eight sanctuaries that make up the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge complex.

This reserve offers visitors many landscapes and habitats to explore while enjoying many activities throughout the year such as hiking, snowshoeing, fishing, hunting and boating on the Sudbury and Concord Rivers.

Tip by

5.14 km

Reformatory Branch Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Reformatory Branch Trail stretches 3.9 miles through Middlesex County, connecting the historic towns of Bedford and Concord along a dirt path. This rail trail, built in 1873 by the Boston & Lowell Railroad, offers activities like mountain biking, walking, and cross-country skiing in winter. It begins at Depot Park, near the North Bridge, site of the "shot heard round the world." Along the way, the trail passes through wildlife refuges, including the Elm Brook Conservation Area and the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, which are home to over 220 bird species and other wildlife. While the trail's rough conditions make it ideal for foot or mountain bike/gravel bike travel. The trail concludes at Lowell Road, where nearby parking and restrooms are available.

Tip by

7.35 km

Start of Reformatory Branch Trail

Highlight • Trail

Any gravel bike or a road bike with gravel tires will do.

Tip by

8.44 km

Bedford Railroad Depot

Highlight • Historical Site

interesssing for railway fans

Tip by

8.60 km

Minuteman Bikeway

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

The Minuteman Bikeway is a 10-mile paved rail-trail in Greater Boston, which follows the historic path of the 1775 American Revolution's beginnings. Stretching from Bedford to the Alewife Station in Cambridge, the bikeway passes through Lexington and Arlington, connecting bikers and pedestrians to subways and bus lines, all while reducing local car traffic. Popular for recreation as well as transportation, it features landmarks like Alewife Brook Reservation, Spy Pond, the Lexington Battle Green, and Arlington’s Great Meadows.

Tip by

18.1 km

Battle Road Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Minuteman Trail, also known as the Battle Road Trail, is a historic pathway in the Minute Man National Historical Park, spanning Concord, Lincoln, and Lexington, Massachusetts. This 5-mile trail follows the route taken by British troops and colonial militiamen during the opening battles of the American Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775. The trail features several key historical sites, including the Hartwell Tavern, Captain William Smith House, and the site of Paul Revere’s capture. It winds through scenic woods, fields, and wetlands, providing visitors with a mix of history and natural beauty. Interpretive signs along the route detail the events of the fateful day, making it a popular destination for walking, running, and cycling. Although you can do it on a road bike, a gravel bike or hardtail might be more comfortable.

Tip by

22.4 km

Battle Road Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Battle Road Trail totals 5 miles around Minute Man National Historical Park. It mimics the route of the British retreat from Concord to Boston on April 19, 1775, at the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which was the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. Today, this trail is open to walking, biking, and jogging. Visitors can learn about the history and enjoy the forests, wetlands, and open fields. For more historical facts, stop by the Minute Man Visitor Center.

Tip by

26.5 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types