NEW BEDFORD BLUE LANE:
SAULNIER MEMORIAL BIKE TRAIL:
NEW BEDFORD HARBORWALK:
NEW BEDFORD COVEWALK:
ACUSHNET RIVERWALK:
NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: October 31, 2024
Length: New Bedford Covewalk; 0.9 miles
Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail; 3.1 miles
Fort Taber Park Trail;1.2 miles
New Bedford Harborwalk; 1.2 miles
JFK Blvd Path; BIKE LANE; 0.5 miles Paved Trail; 1 mile
Difficulty: Easy. Flat, paved trails.
Directions:
From I-195, take exit 26 to Route 18 (JFK Memorial Hwy) south about 2.7 miles to Cove St:
To start from Cove Road for the New Bedford Covewalk [Northeastern Section]; Turn right on Cove St, then left on Stapleton St. Turn right on Cove Rd. Pass by the Cove Road parking lot on your left and continue along Cove Rd to the junction of Rockdale Ave [Western End], however no official parking lot here.
To start from Gifford Street parking lot for the New Bedford Harborwalk [Northern Section]; Turn left on Cove St and left again on Morton Ct. Turn right on Gifford St and follow to end.
The New Bedford Blue Lane is a series of interconnected trails in New Bedford. It is comprised of the New Bedford Covewalk, which travels atop the flood control dyke, along the Northern Side of Clark's Cove. It travels East, then South, where it connects to the Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail. This trail travels South, alongside W Rodney French Blvd, then East, alongside S Rodney French Blvd and finally North, alongside E Rodney French Blvd. For a more scenic route, skip the Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail; S Rodney French Blvd Section and continue South-East-North along the Fort Taber Park Trail, re-joining the Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail; E Rodney French Blvd Section. From the E Rodney French Blvd Section, you can access the New Bedford Harborwalk, which travels Northeast, atop the flood control dyke, out along the mouth of the Acushnet River & New Bedford Harbor, to the Fairhaven Hurricane Barrier.
The New Bedford Blue Lane also takes you North, through New Bedford to the New Bedford Historic District via BIKE LANES and paved paths. The National Historical Park Visitor's Center located there as well. For more information Visit; NEW BEDFORD-NPS . You may also utilize this route to connect to Fairhaven's Phoenix Bike Trail . North of I-195 is the developing Acushnet Riverwalk. For more information Visit; NEW BEDFORD COVEWALK , NEW BEDFORD BLUE LANE , SAULNIER MEMORIAL BIKE TRAIL & NEW BEDFORD HARBORWALK .
The New Bedford Blue Lane is part of the larger South Coast Bikeway , a planned 50-mile continuous system of bike paths and bike lanes that will connect Rhode Island to Cape Cod. Cities and towns included in this plan are Swansea, Somerset, Fall River, Westport, Dartmouth, New Bedford, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Marion, Wareham and Bourne. Several segments of the bikeway already exist in Swansea, Fall River, New Bedford, Fairhaven and Mattapoisett.
New Bedford Blue Lane:
New Bedford Covewalk:
Starting from Cove Road & Rockdale Ave; A cement path leads up to the New Bedford Covewalk, which runs atop the flood control dyke.
Note; Right, South, the cement New Bedford Covewalk travels 0.1 miles to an overlook of the #1 Cove Road Flood Gate.
Travel left, East, along the top of the dyke, with great views of Clarks Cove. Pass by a path down to the Cove Road parking lot on your left at 0.4 miles. The trail now turns South. Come to another ramp on your left.
Note; Straight leads to an overlook of the #2 Rodney French Blvd Flood Gate.
Travel down to W Rodney French Blvd and the end of the trail after 0.9 miles.
Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail:
[Continuing Mileage] The Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail; W Rodney French Blvd Section [*Mile 0] picks up here and travels South, as a double-wide sidewalk, past the #2 W Rodney French Blvd Flood Gate. It then continues as a wide, paved trail, between Clarks Cove and W Rodney French Blvd. Pass by North & South Beaches (bath houses and restrooms). At 1.1 miles look left to spot a paved trail leading up to Hazelwood Park. Pass by Squid Beach and a boat launch and the South End Beach parking lot at 1.6 miles, before coming to S Rodney French Blvd at 2 miles [*Mile 1.1].
Note; The paved Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail; S Rodney French Blvd Section travels left, East, alongside S Rodney French Blvd, to the Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail; E Rodney French Blvd Section after [*Mile 1.5].
For a more scenic route, we skipped utilizing the Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail; S Rodney French Blvd Section and instead continued Southeast, past UMass Dartmouth - School for Marine Science and Technology along the paved Fort Taber Park Trail. You continue alongside Clark's Cove, coming to open fields along your left.
Note; On your left, buried in the woods, are the remains of Battery Milliken (1921-1946). Originally built as a World War I concrete coastal gun battery, it was also used during WW II.
Travel past the water treatment facility and 3 more Battery's (Battery Craig, Cross & ?), before coming to the old fortifications encompassing Fort Rodman. Numerous side trails. Just follow alongside the water. You'll around Clarks Point, where they have telescopes along the sea wall, looking out over Buzzard's Bay.
Fort Rodman was constructed in the late 1850's to guard the city's harbor and today its tall granite walls still stand. In later years, Fort Rodman encompassed the surrounding land with additional fortifications that are still visible and served as an active military post during World War II.
The trail now heads North, alongside the Bay. Pass by a long cement pier (Merchant Marina Memorial Walkway Pier) before coming to the Fort Taber Park parking lot at 3 miles. Snack bar/restroom pavilion and playground located here. Also a long dock that juts out into the Bay. Exit Fort Taber, where the trail travels past Taber Beach and out to S Rodney French Blvd at 3.2 miles [*Mile 1.5].
Note; The paved Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail; S Rodney French Blvd Section continues left, West, alongside S Rodney French Blvd and out to the Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail; S Rodney French Blvd Section after 0.4 miles.
The Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail; E Rodney French Blvd Section passes by East, Tower & O'Tools Beaches, as it continues North, between E Rodney French Blvd and New Bedford Harbor. Past Butler St, the trail narrows. Pass a boat ramp and #3 E Rodney French Blvd Flood Gate. This brings you to the start of the New Bedford Harborwalk after 4.3 miles [*Mile 2.6]. See; New Bedford Harborwalk Below.
The wide Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail continues North, alongside E Rodney French Blvd and just below the dyke to *Cove Street after **4.8 miles [*Mile 3.1], where it currently ends.
Future plans call for a BIKE LANE West, along Cove St, to connect to the JFK Blvd BIKE LANE, which travels North.
Note; From here, you can either Loop back to the New Bedford Covewalk and the Cove Road parking lot: See; New Bedford Blue Lane; Return Loop Below or continue North, through New Bedford, to check out the National Historical Park Visitor's Center or connect to Fairhaven's Phoenix Bike Trail . See; New Bedford Blue Lane; North Below.
New Bedford Harborwalk:
Starting from the Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail; E Rodney French Blvd Section & New Bedford Harbor Boat Ramp parking lot. [Re-zeroing Mileage] Head up the ramp to the cement New Bedford Harborwalk.
Note; Right, South, leads to an overlook of the #3 E Rodney French Blvd Flood Gate.
Travel left, North, atop the dyke and alongside the New Bedford Harbor. Come to an intersection at 0.7 miles. Left takes you down to the Gifford Street parking lot & Gifford Street Service Road.
Note; You can continue atop the dyke if walking, but if biking utilize the Gifford Street Service Road.
Here the trail turns Southeast and continues just below the dyke along Gifford Street Service Road. Pass by Palmer Island (walking trails out to the 1849 Palmer Island Lighthouse) before coming to the Fairhaven Hurricane Barrier after 1.2 miles. This is where the Acushnet River drains.
New Bedford Blue Lane; Return Loop:
Starting from *Cove Street & E Rodney French Blvd; [Continuing Mileage **4.8 miles] Travel West, on-road along Cove St, crossing JFK Memorial Hwy/W Rodney French Blvd. Come to Stapleton St at 0.4 miles and turn left, South, on-road to Cove Rd, across which is the Cove Road parking lot after 0.5 miles [Mile **5.3 mile Loop].
New Bedford Blue Lane; North:
Starting from *Cove Street & E Rodney French Blvd; [Re-zeroing Mileage] Travel West, on-road along Cove St to Morton Ct on your right. Continue right, North, along the Morton Court BIKE LANE (low traffic).
Note; The JFK Blvd BIKE LANE parallels along your left, however, higher speed traffic.
Cross Gifford St where the Front Street BIKE LANE (low traffic) continues. Pass by Ben Rose Park on your right before coming to Potomska St. Head left to and across JFK Blvd at 0.8 miles. Here the paved JFK Blvd Bike Path travels North, along the Western Side of JFK Blvd past Gnomes Park (playground) and the Alfred Gomes Elementary School, where the paved trail is red. Cross Walnut St and continue along a wide brick trail. Come to Union St (cobblestone) at 1.7 miles.
Note; From here you can check out the New Bedford Historic District and National Historical Park Visitor's Center. Plenty of places for refreshments and dining. Be aware if biking, lots of cobblestone streets. For more information check out; NEW BEDFORD-NPS .
Cross back over **JFK Blvd to the Median between MacArthur Drive.
Note; The New Bedford State Pier is straight, East, across Macarthur Dr. To the right, South, alongside MacArthur Dr is Coast Guard Park. Lots of informational signs. Good spot to take a detour and check out all the sites.
Note; To connect to the Phoenix Bike Trail [Continuing Mileage], follow the red bricked path North, between JFK Blvd and MacArthur Dr up to Route 6. Head right, East, along the pedestrian path, across the Acushnet River to Fish Island. Next a Draw Bridge will take you to Popes Island and past Prince Henry the Navigator Park. You cross the river one last time to Fairhaven. Head right, South, on-road along Middle St (low traffic) and follow to Ferry St after 3.3 miles. Straight ahead is the Main/Ferry Street parking lot. The Phoenix Bike Trail starts left, East, across main St.
Acushnet Riverwalk:
I have not checked out this trail yet.
The Acushnet River flows 8.6 miles into Buzzards Bay. The name "Acushnet" comes from the Wampanoag or Algonquian word, "Cushnea", meaning "as far as the waters". The Acushnet Riverwalk will start from Coggshall St, just North of I-195, and extend North, alongside the Acushnet River, to Riverside Park. Part of Phase 4. It will then utilize the existing paved trails through the park (playground, sports fields & courts, Skate Park and Porto-Potty) and East, out to Coffin St. Riverside Park parking lot located off Coffin St. Phase 2 will continue the trail East, along Coffin St, back to the river, then North to Manomet St. Phase 1 will continue the trail North, utilizing an existing paved trail in front of Riverfront Lofts. Phases 3 & 5 will take the trail to Graham St. Then I believe North to Slocum St. If you continue North, along River Rd, you'll come to Rivers End Park, which is alongside the river and has paths and benches. Parking lot here. If you continue North, along River Rd to Main St, turn left, then right along Mill Rd, you'll pick up a sidewalk that will bring you to The Sawmill. Parking lot here. The Sawmill was once home to a large, bustling lumber yard owned by the Acushnet Saw Mills Company. This is a reserve along the river and contains multi-use trails, along with pedestrian paths. A bridge crosses over the river, their is an overlook of Mill Pond, an amphitheater and the Hawes Family Leaning Center. Visit; ACUSHNET RIVERWALK PLANS for more information.
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CLICK HERE FOR THE SAWMILL MAP
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