The Ocean State is packed full of absolutely beautiful trails for hiking and biking. We may be small but no one has ever said we aren't scenic. Rhode Island also used to have a lot more trains running through it, which means now we are left with some gorgeous abandoned railroad trails to follow and explore. One that we really enjoy is the Washington Secondary Rail Trail.
Measuring 18.9 miles in its full length, this rail trail is the perfect length for a day of bike exploration, or you can pick a chunk of it to walk instead.
Going from East to West, the trail brings together the Trestle Trail, Trestle Trail East, Coventry Greenway, West Warwick Greenway, Warwick Greenway, and Cranston Bike Path.
The trail runs along the old path of the Hartford, Providence, and Fishkill railroads, and there are a lot of remains of the rail service to see as you move along the trail.
Some areas are neatly paved while others are unpaved and a little more wild, but many have done the entire trail with no issues.
Make sure to keep your eyes wide open on all parts of the trail. There is so much beauty you truly do not want to miss.
Each of the six sections of the trail offers its own points of interest, like an old school general store on the Western Coventry end in case you need some supplies.
And there are crossings of all sorts including overpasses, underpasses, and river crossings.
With views of all sorts of terrain and bodies of water, as well as the historic remnants of the old train route to discover, make sure you bring along a camera to make some memories of your trip.
With so much to see along the nineteen miles of trail, we think that the Washington Secondary Rail Trail is the best way to take in all of the beauty that Rhode Island has to offer. Will you be taking the trip sometime soon?
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