Atlantic Circuit Trail

Atlantic Circuit Trail

The Atlantic Circuit Trail is a new visionary/planned mountain biking trail circumnavigating the Atlantic Ocean from Argentina to South Africa. The trail will be fully or partially open to mountain bikers, hikers, backpackers, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers. Various towns and organizations, such as the Town of Kingston, Barnstable Land Trust and the United States National Park Service Cape Cod National Seashore chapter, are aware of the trail, and planning has begun in the Town of Kingston, but no section has been officially constructed as of September 2022.

Kingston, Massachusetts

Interim Route

The interim route mostly follows Massachusetts Route 3A and 80 to Sampson Park, where it joins the Bay Circuit Trail to the Pembroke town line. Some sections of this route do not have sidewalks.

Proposed Route

Corridor 1

The proposed route of Corridor 1 would follow the Bay Circuit Trail to its southern terminus at Bay Farm, then separating and following a mostly beachfront route to the Plymouth town line.

Corridor 2

The proposed route of Corridor 2 would follow a more inland route, coinciding with the Bay Circuit Trail to Sampson Park, before separating and heading south to the Plymouth town line, crossing through Camp Nekon along the way. This corridor will likely be very narrow in places, and crosses private land.

Plymouth, Massachusetts

Interim Route

The interim route mostly follows the coast, following sections of MA 3A, as well as neighborhood streets. North of Plymouth Center, the route coincides with the Seaside Trail, also known as the North Plymouth Rail Trail.

No proposed route has been planned.

Massachusetts Route 80, along the unsigned interim route of the Atlantic Circuit Trail

Sandwich and Barnstable, Massachusetts

No interim exists for Sandwich and Barnstable.

Proposed Route

Three pieces of the Atlantic Circuit Trail in Sandwich and Barnstable are being planned with the support of Appalachian Mountain Club.

Section 1

The first, westernmost section will connect Murkwood Conservation Area's Main Trail with Route 6A near the East Sandwich Fire Station in the Town of Sandwich. This segment will be very scenic, with multiple boardwalks crossing tidal wetlands.

Section 2

The second segment, straddling two towns, Sandwich and Barnstable, will connect Carleton Shores Beach with the Sandy Neck Gatehouse. This segment only needs signage, as the segment already follows preexisting trails.

Section 3

The third, easternmost segment will connect Cape Cod Community College trails with the YMCA trails near Massachusetts Route 6, including a pedestrian bridge over Massachusetts Route 132. This segment is in the beginning stages of planning and will likely take some time before construction.

Wellfleet and Truro, Massachusetts

No interim exists for Wellfleet and Truro.

Proposed Route

A proposed section will connect South Pamet Road in Truro with Newcomb Hollow Beach in Wellfleet. The route has not been finalized, and still requires significant work and planning, coordinated with the National Park Service.

References

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