Boston, MA: Wompatuck State Park | Mountain Biking in Massachusetts

Boston, MA: Wompatuck State Park

Explore Wompatuck State Park on a labyrinthine trail system that showcases classic New England-style singletrack right outside Boston.

Author:	Bicycling Magazine
Date:	15 Oct 2008 7:53:51 PM
Activity:	Mountain Biking ActivitySearchMountainBiking
State:	Massachusetts (MA)
Distance:	10.75 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 1031 ft Total Loss: 1031 ft Net Change: 0 ft
Difficulty:	7 / 10
Tags:	Massachusetts, Boston
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

Route-finding is the name of the game along this 11-mile clockwise loop through the east side of Wompatuck State Park. Following a series of trail markers, this track (cue-sheet below) is just one of many ride options available in this maze-like trail system just outside of Boston. The loop (which highlights the eastern section of the Root 66 Series Landmine Classic race course) has no fewer than 37 cue-points. Don’t be distressed if you miss one; they’re spaced very close together so backtracking is never that disheartening.

The ride itself is an intermediate route showcasing the best aspects of New England singletrack: heavy tree cover (which makes for fantastic foliage in the fall), sudden steeps and drops, rock and root gardens, power-sapping muddy stretches, and idyllic reservoir scenes. To track foliage status in the park visit the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism site, but even when the temperature drops and the leaves have fallen, the ‘Womp’ remains a go-to playground for local mountain bikers.

-Mapped by Wendy Booher, Boston LUNA Chix Women's Cycling Team

CUE SHEET (Trail markers in bold)
From Union St., turn LEFT on the paved road at E14.
At E15: LEFT
C10: Straight through intersection
C5: RIGHT
C4: RIGHT
C6: LEFT onto singletrack
C7: Cross paved road and resume singletrack on the other side.
N33: RIGHT
N32: LEFT and then immediate RIGHT (paved road)
N22: LEFT onto singletrack
N21: LEFT
N17: RIGHT
N18: RIGHT
N19: Straight through intersection
N23: RIGHT
N24: LEFT
N25: LEFT onto pavement
N30: RIGHT onto singletrack
N31: Cross paved road, ride until singletrack ends, LEFT on pavement
NS2: RIGHT onto singletrack
NS11: LEFT
NS6: LEFT
NS7: RIGHT
NS8: RIGHT
NS9: LEFT (Burbank Boulder will be on your right)
NS10: RIGHT
NS3: Cross paved road
R1: LEFT
R2: LEFT
R3: LEFT (when you come to an unmarked, four-way singletrack intersection, stay right)
R5: Straight through intersection, when you arrive at next singletrack intersection, go LEFT, keeping the reservoir on your left until you arrive at paved road.
E17: Straight on pavement, take a left onto paved spur (there will be a left turn onto singletrack before this, don't take that). Once pavement stops, bear right on to singletrack.
E10: Cross pavement, stay on singletrack
E8: LEFT on to singletrack, when singletrack ends, take right on to pavement, then take next right at intersection.
E7: LEFT onto singletrack, bear right. Continue following singletrack to pavement.

TO TRAILHEAD: Head south on I-93/US 1 and take exit 7 to head south on MA 3. Continue 7.5 miles and take exit 15, turning right at the end of the exit onto Derby St. In 0.6 mile, bear left onto Cushing St. Continue 2.4 miles on Cushing St. (as it bears right) and then turn left on MA 228/Main St. Go 0.8 mile, turn right onto Free St., and continue another 0.9 mile to make a right on Union St. Continue to the State Park Visitor Center and parking.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Wompatuck State Park

Dist: 10.75 mi	Points: 1418	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Points of Interest

Visitor's Center

Location: 42.217331°, -70.863662°
Park maps (a good accessory for this maze-like trail system) and restrooms are available here. From here, bear right to continue on Union Street and continue approximately 1.4 miles to the campground parking lot off the right side of the road.

Campground Parking Lot

Location: 42.202407°, -70.847418°
Park here to start the ride. To access the trail, ride southeast (go right) on Union Street for 0.15 mile and turn left at the E14 trail marker on the paved road.

"Hide-n-seek" Trail Markers

Location: 42.201374°, -70.844715°
Small trail signs like these are the bread crumbs you'll need to keep an eye out for on this trail. Be aware that they may not always be facing in an obvious direction - keep a lookout! © Wendy Booher

Autumn Backdrop

Location: 42.208304°, -70.844393°
Autumn colors in full display both in the trees above and on the ground. © Wendy Booher

Power-Sucking Hill

Location: 42.214216°, -70.850229°
The short-but-super-steep mound will put a hurting on your legs; it's rideable, but be sure to pick up some speed and put yourself in an appropriate gear. © Wendy Booher

Wompy Rock Garden

Location: 42.223115°, -70.858727°
A typical rock garden obstacle in Wompatuck State Park. © Wendy Booher

Sneaky Trail Crossing

Location: 42.218983°, -70.834909°
Don't be tempted to turn onto the old railway bed, which seems like an obvious choice. Instead look across the railway bed to the chain-link fence and find the opening slightly to the left. The trail resumes on the other side. © Wendy Booher

Bridge of Virtue

Location: 42.222162°, -70.830746°
Mountain bikers build bridges like this one to minimize erosion and preserve the trails. They're also a trip to ride. © Wendy Booher

Burbank Boulder

Technique Practice, Anyone?

Reservoir

Location: 42.212118°, -70.829630°
There are lots of unmarked trails, spurs, offshoots on this stretch. Your best bet: keep the reservoir on your left.