SOUTH BAY HARBOR TRAIL:
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: April 24, 2021
Length: South Bay Harbor Trail; 3.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy. Flat, paved trail.
Directions:
This is primarily a connector trail between the Southwest Corridor Greenway from Ruggles Street T-Station to the Boston Harborwalk at Fort Point Channel. You may access this trail from the Ruggles Station along the Boston subways Orange Line. For more information about taking your bike on the subway visit; MBTA-BIKE .
The South Bay Harbor Trail is a path that connects Boston neighborhoods Lower Roxbury, the South End, Chinatown, South Boston, and Fort Point Channel to each other and to the expanding amenities of Boston Harbor. The South Bay Harbor Trail provides an important link in the larger transportation network by connecting the Southwest Corridor Greenway from Ruggles Street T-Station to Fort Point Channel and out to Fan Pier (part of the Boston Harborwalk). The South Bay Harbor Trail includes the Melnea Cass Bike Path, which is sometimes referred to separately. It also shares the trail with the Boston Harborwalk; Fort Point Channel. For more information visit; SOUTH BAY TRAIL .
Note; A major upgrade is planned, as this trail is in poor shape, but has not yet started as of April 2021.
Starting from the Ruggles Street T-Station;
Note; The Southwest Corridor Greenway travels along the east side of the Ruggles Street T-Station, next to a parking garage before coming to Columbus Ave & Melnea Cass Blvd.
From Columbus Ave & Melnea Cass Blvd the paved South Bay Harbor Trail travels alongside Melnea Cass Blvd. The trail splits for bikes and pedestrians (sidewalk). Cross Tremont St, Shawmut Ave, Washington St, Harrison Ave and Albany St where the trail briefly reverts to sidewalk. Cross Hampden St and the trail splits again. Places to eat along here. Come to Mass Ave at 1 mile, where a cross-light takes you safely across.
I'm not sure how they plan on connecting to the next section which travels underneath I-93. Currently there is a short section of trail that starts off the Mass Ave Connector straight ahead, however, a locked gate blocks access to it.
Instead head left along Mass Ave (BIKE LANE) then right along Albany Ave (BIKE SHARROWS). Follow to Westside Frontage Rd where a series of cross-lights take you underneath I-93 and across Eastside Frontage Rd after 1.8 miles. Here the trail is well signed. Spot the buoy. This is an example of the trail markers that will be used along the updated trail. Turn left and travel up alongside Eastside Frontage Rd and below the I-93 artery. This brings you to West 4th St.
Note; This is where the Harborwalk; Fort Point Channel begins. The two trails share the same route.
Use the cross-light over West 4th St and continue through Channel Park. Below is the Bass River across which are the RR Yards. This brings you to the W Broadway/Trailer St Bridge at 2.1 miles.
Note; Underground at Ink Block is located across the street. Underground at Ink Block is the transformation of an 8-acre underpass located between Boston’s South End and South Boston neighborhoods into an active urban park. The mural project features colorful murals with graffiti-inspired street art from local artists. The area also has walking paths, as well as benches and chairs to relax and take in views of the Bass River and RR Yard. For outdoor fitness, this spot hosts cycling classes. There is also a fenced-in dog area located at the park.
After checking out Underground at Ink Block you'll need to head right across the W Broadway/Trailer St Bridge. The bridge takes you over the Bass River & RR Yards for South Station Transportation Center and brings you to Dorchester Ave.
Note; There is access to the Broadway T-Station from here.
Take a left down Dorchester Ave (Separated BIKE LANE) and you'll come to the entrance for the US Postal Service facility at 2.4 miles.
Note; The trail continues right, but detour straight to Rolling Bridge Park. A short Loop Trail takes you around this small park and includes a pedestrian bridge over Cabot Cove. The park contains benches, interpretive signs and a big, red painted arm of the Old Colony Railroad Bridge that formerly occupied this site. At the time of its construction in 1898, the Old Colony Railroad Bridge was the largest rolling drawbridge of its kind. In addition, stones are arranged in a seating pattern to mimic a circular configuration of another bridge that occupied a nearby site. The trail then returns you to Dorchester Ave.
Use the cross-walk in front of the guard house and cross over Dorchester Ave. Here the paved South Bay Harbor Trail & Boston Harborwalk; Fort Point Channel continue. The trail travels alongside Fort Point Channel on your left and Gillette headquarters on your right. Continue along the channel and you'll go around tiny Binford Park. Informational signage along the trail. Spot another buoy. You pass by Necco St and come to the old Boston Wharf Company building after [2.9 miles]*. This building sits directly alongside the channel, but provides a corridor for pedestrians to pass through.
Note; If biking you may wish to bypass this and another section of the trail that contains stairs. Head right up Necco St to A St, then left on-road. Cross Summer St and continue along A St out to Congress St. Travel left down Congress Street, past the BOSTON FIRE MUSEUM and return to the Fort Point Channel and South Bay Harbor Trail & Boston Harborwalk; Fort Point Channel at [3.3 miles]*.
Follow the open corridor through the Boston Wharf Company to a set of stairs that bring you up to Summer St. Cross Summer St to another set of stairs where the path continues along the channel. A ramp then brings you up to Congress Street after [3 miles]*.
Note; To connect to the Boston Harborwalk; Downtown travel left on Congress St (BIKE LANE) across the Channel. See; Boston Harborwalk; Downtown .
Crossing Congress St a boardwalk runs alongside the channel and past the Children's Museum of Boston and Children's Wharf Park where you'll find plenty of tables and food available. The trail then travels underneath the Seaport Blvd Bridge. Continue straight past the BARKING CRAB restaurant out to Old Northern Ave and the start of Fan Pier at 3.2 miles. The Harborwalk; South Boston continues straight along Fan Pier past the Moakley Courthouse as it travels along the Inner Harbor. The South Bay Harbor Trail ends after 3.4 miles where the Fort Point Channel enters Boston Main Channel. See; Boston Harborwalk; South Boston .
HH
CLICK HERE FOR SOUTH BAY HARBOR TRAIL MAP
CLICK HERE FOR BOSTON HARBORWALK MAP
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT
