BIKING

BIKING

The Ipswich River Watershed is a biker’s paradise: a quintessentially New England landscape of scenic byways lined with stone walls, forests, meadows, swamps, bogs, ponds and streams. The Ipswich River is interconnected to every natural and human community you’ll pedal past. Your support will help keep it clean, flowing and beautiful.

BIKING THE WATERSHED

The following tour circuits are chosen for their beauty, generally rural character, and links to other recreational opportunities like hiking or canoeing. The most rural sections of the watershed are the northern and eastern. The southwestern and southern sections are more urban. Most of the roads don’t have paved shoulders, and are often narrow and winding. We try to keep you off larger and busier roads, though a few are included (mostly for short links) in the routes suggested.

BIKE ROUTES


UPPER WATERSHED

  • Harold Parker State Forest
  • Andover – North Andover – Middleton Loop
  • Wilmington – Reading Loop

MID WATERSHED

  • North Reading– Middleton – Lynnfield Loop
  • Boxford – Topsfield – Middleton Loop
  • Danvers – Middleton – Topsfield Loop
  • Beverly–Danvers–Topsfield–Wenham Loop

LOWER WATERSHED

  • Miles River Watershed Loop
  • Coastal Circuit (about 15 miles)

LE TOUR DE WATERSHED

This is a 60+ mile route takes you from the northwestern portion of the watershed all the way to the coast and back. This ride is for the fittest among you! For those who like the idea, but aren’t ready for the whole challenge, you may arrange to have a car at the coast to ferry you back to the start; or use your maps to choose a turnaround at the halfway point.