Immerse yourself in the history of the United States while getting a great workout by taking a bike ride on the Minuteman Rail Trail and Battle Road. The scenic ride starts in Lexington and winds into Concord and loops back to the starting point in downtown Lexington. Along the way, you’ll ride through Minute Man National Park and on the route where the British marched into Concord and then retreated to Boston.
There are many opportunities to stop along the way to explore the history of the area and refuel in the quaint town of Concord, so this ride makes for a perfect morning or afternoon excursion. The mileage you’ll ride is fairly short- about 19 miles, but depending on how much sightseeing you plan to do, you’ll need to plan accordingly. Just the ride with a quick lunch or coffee break will take 1.5- 2 hours.
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What You’ll Need
First off, you’ll need a bike! I highly recommend a hybrid bike or road bike with off-road or hybrid tires. The Minuteman trail is paved but much of the ride takes you on dirt trails. Rocks and roots are fairly minimal so you don’t need to worry about needing a mountain bike. The paths you’ll travel are also very flat, making for an easy day of riding for all skill levels.
The ride starts in downtown Lexington, MA, at a former train depot. There is plenty of public parking, but be sure to park in the larger lot that doesn’t have the two hour limit. Nearby, there are public restrooms in the Lexington Visitors Center. You’ll also find public restrooms in downtown Concord at the Visitors Center.
As for the route, I used a route I found on the Ride With GPS app. If you haven’t used this app, it’s awesome! I’ve found many scenic bike rides using Ride With GPS. Look for routes that are posted by a local cycling group or bike shop, or by someone who has posted multiple routes. Anyone can create a route and make it available to the public, and some people are better than others at creating routes. The app and online version are both easy to use and allow you to send the routes to your GPS. Here’s the route link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16332403
Minuteman Rail Trail
You’ll start your ride on the Minuteman Rail Trail and make your way to the Battle Road Path. The starting point is close to Battle Green and Buckman Tavern. Before you get started with the ride, make a short visit to the restored tavern that played a role in the first battle of the American Revolution. The Minutemen gathered there to await the arrival of the British troops. An audio tour is available.
The first portion of your ride on the Minuteman Rail Trail passes through town and a populated area, so there are multiple road crossings. For safety, there are stop signs on the trail and bike/pedestrian crossing signals. After a couple miles the trail starts to get a bit more rural and you’ll pass into Bedford and arrive at the Bedford Train Depot around mile 4. At this point, you’ll need to cross the road and continue riding on the road for about a quarter mile until you can pick up the off-road trail.
As you pick up the off-road trail again, you will have reached the end of the Minuteman Rail Trail and will be riding on the Reformatory Branch trail. This is also a former railroad bed. The scenic trail winds through the woods for about 4 miles and brings you to the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Shortly after passing the refuge, the history of the area truly comes alive!
Minute Man National Park
When the Reformatory Trail meets Monument Street in Concord, take a right and proceed into Minute Man National Park. The great thing about this park is there is no admission fee (and no parking fee if you drive there). The park is spread over a large area in Concord, and your journey through it begins at the location of the first battle of the Revolutionary War that took place on April 19, 1775.
Just before you reach that point, you’ll pass by The Old Manse. This impressive, historical home is where Nathaniel Hawthorne and Ralph Waldo Emerson once lived. The property is owned and managed by the non-profit Trustees of Reservations, so there is an admission fee for tours. Or you can walk the grounds for free. Fun fact- the re-created vegetable garden was originally planted by Henry David Thoreau as a wedding gift for Nathaniel Hawthorne and his wife.
After visiting the Old Manse, continue your ride a short distance to arrive at the next section of the trail that begins at the Old North Bridge. This is where the Minutemen first fired upon the British soldiers, thus driving them back to Boston. I got chills when I was there. It’s as though the history of that day still hangs in the air. Take a moment to realize that we, as Americans, have our liberties because of the people who once stood in the same spot you’re standing/riding. Then it’s back to reality to take a selfie with the famous Minuteman statue on the other side of the river!
For more information on Minute Man National Park, stop by the North Bridge Visitor center. Also take note of the huge, beautiful tree sitting in front of the visitor center, next to the parking lot. It’s a special spot for me and I want to see it continue living, so please protect it by not carving your initials into the tree. If you’re ready to hit the road, continue to Liberty Street and then Lowell Street to make your way into downtown Concord.
Downtown Concord
Downtown Concord is a quaint New England downtown and a perfect spot for a quick lunch or cup of coffee. I had hoped to stop at Haute Coffee for their Veggie Sandwich (I love avocado and hummus on sandwiches) but they were closed for the day. Instead, I opted for Caffe Nero, and despite it being a chain restaurant, it’s in a beautiful, historical building. The coffeeshop is cozy and contains the original chimney and windows of the original building. It has all the character you would expect of a Concord coffeeshop.
Battle Road Trail
After a break in downtown Concord, you’ll continue the ride on the road, on what I call Writers Row. On Lexington Rd, you’ll pass by Ralph Waldo Emerson’s house, Louisa May Alcott’s house (where Little Women was written), and the Wayside Home for Authors. The Wayside was home to three literary families: The Alcotts, Hawthornes and Lothrops. All homes are open for tours.
Following Lexington Rd. will take you back into Minute Man National Park and you’ll arrive at Battle Road. Unlike the Minuteman Rail Trail, this was not a former rail trail. Battle Road roughly follows the trail the British soldiers used to march from Boston to Lexington & Concord. Conversely, the British were also driven back to Boston by the Minutemen on the same route. The Minutemen attacked the British at Meriam’s Corner, thus beginning an 18 mile running fight back to Boston.
The storied path is now yours to enjoy. It’s a beautiful ride through varied woodlands and marshes. You’ll also see a few historic places along the way. Around mile 13, take note of the Hartwell Tavern and site of the Hartwell House, where the original chimney still stands tall.
Return Trip
Upon reaching the end of the Battle Road Trail, you’ll go back to riding primarily on local roads that will take you back to the Minuteman Rail Trail. However, there is a short trail that you’ll use as a cut-through to get to the rail trail. This is a bit bumpy, so take it slow, especially if you’re on a road bike. Head back into Lexington to finish your ride where you started.
Enjoy your ride through history!