There are more than 300 biking, hiking, and backpacking trails in the state that showcase Rhode Island’s beauty. Bike trails are a great way to exercise while seeing some new sights. The United States is filled with trails that take you into the great wilderness of North America. Let’s take a look at the longest bike trail in Rhode Island and what this route offers.

Rhode Island’s Longest Biking Trail

The Washington Secondary Bike Path is the longest biking trail in Rhode Island and is just over 19 miles long. The path follows a retired railroad, with the majority of it being paved, but some aren’t. This rail trail follows the retired Hartford, Providence, and Fishkill Railroad. On this bike path, you will ride through urban, rural, and forested landscapes. The Washington Secondary Bike Path is made up of five different trail segments, which are the Trestle Trail, Coventry Greenway, West Warwick Greenway, the Warwick Bike Path, and the Cranston Bike Path. It is Rhode Island’s longest bike path and also connects with the East Coast Greenway.

History of the Washington Secondary Bike Path

The railroad that this trail follows operated during the 1800s and connected the eastern states of New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. After bankruptcy, the railroad was shortly retired, with the last segment of the Hartford, Providence, and Fishkill railroad stopping its operations in the 1960s. The late 1990s was when segments of the Washington Secondary Bike Path began to open. The first segment of this bike path opened in 1997 and was 1.5 miles long from Station Street to Ayoho Road. As time passed, so did the bike path until it reached the 19 miles it is today. Dates of when the sections of the bike path opened:

1997-Station Street to Ayoho Road (1.5 miles)1998-Ayoho Road to Town Farm Road (1.2 miles)2000-West Natick Road to Howard Street (4.8 miles)2000-Providence Street to Hay Street (0.8 miles)2001-Howard Street to Sumner Avenue (0.5 miles)2003-Sumner Avenue to Depot Avenue (0.25 miles)2010-Station Street to Whiteford Street (1.6 miles)2014-Station Street to Town Farm Road (2.7 miles)2014-Town Farm Road to Log Bridge Road (4.8 miles)

Just as it did in the past, expansions may still occur in the future, making the trail even longer.

Knowing how to navigate the Washington Secondary Bike Path allows you to create the bike route best for you. Being 19 miles long, this bike path has multiple stops for parking and restrooms along it. Some areas of the bike path go by residential regions, while others are in more scenic rural and forested areas.  There are about five different sections of the Washington Secondary Bike Path, going through the Kent and Providence counties in Rhode Island. 

Trestle Trail: 4.8 miles Coventry Greenway: 4.8 milesWest Warwick Greenway: 2.7 miles Warwick Bike Path: 1.57 miles Cranston Bike Path: 5.8 miles

This bike path has a very gentle grade and is around five percent or less. On the paved section of this trail, you may find others walking with strollers or walking their dogs. Looking at a map of the area can let you know the amenities nearby and plan your trip to your preferred length and scenery. The Washington Secondary Bike Path goes from west to east in Rhode Island.

The Scenery on the Washington Secondary Bike Path

The Washington Secondary Bike Path has plenty of sights, going through two tunnels and over multiple bridges. The western half of this trail is more scenic and goes into rural and forest areas. The eastern part shows Rhode Island’s urban and residential areas. Several river crossings and freshwater sources can be found along this bike path. The spring to fall months are the best times to visit this bike path, as the plants and wildlife will be out in full. In the fall, the heavily forested areas of the trail make for a beautiful ride, as the leaves begin to change to bright orange and red. The Washington Secondary Bike Path is the longest bike path in Rhode Island, being around 19 miles long, or nearly 40 miles for a round trip.

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