East Bay Bike Path: A Scenic Rhode Island Gem!
The East Bay Bike Path is a scenic 14.5 mile path, spanning across 4 different cities in Rhode Island including: Bristol, Warren, Barrington, and East Providence. This path, which was completed in 1992, follows the old abandoned Providence and Bristol Railroad.
The entire path is loaded with scenic views of the Narragansett Bay, the Providence River, forests, marshes, and parks. This path connects 8 different Rhode Island Parks, running right through Haines Memorial State Park. I found this path to be much more scenic than the Cape Cod Rail Trail, which although very nice, cannot quite compare in terms of scenic beauty.
The weather was absolutely beautiful the day of our ride. Spring and summer is definitely the best time weather wise to enjoy a ride. As a bonus, the path was almost completely deserted. As a result, we were able to stop along the way and snap plenty of photographs.
Highlights along the East Bay path…
Pomham Rocks Lighthouse
This lighthouse was established in 1871. It is located about a half acre off the coast of East Providence’s Riverside neighborhood. Self guided tours are available for a fee.
Providence Skyline
Haines Memorial State Park
Features picnic sites, baseball fields, and walking paths.
One of the flattest & fastest rides!
The path is almost entirely flat, except for 2 large hills near East Providence. We rode the entire 28 miles round trip in about 2 hours and 45 minutes, stopping along the way for snacks, water, and pictures. I imagine you could finish it much faster without stopping. This path is relatively easy, even for beginners, because of the flat course running along a former railway. Rail trails really are perfect for leisurely weekend exercise as most are flat, long, and feature few (if any) traffic interruptions.
Check out some of these gorgeous views along the route…
Gorgeous Harbor Views
The views of the harbor at sunset are stunning…
Tips for a great ride
*Plan for at least 3 hours if you intend on completing the entire trail, round trip, longer if you are a beginner.
*Bring with snacks and water. There are stops along the way, but they are far and few between.
*Bring with your camera – this path offers spectacular viewpoints every mile!
*Watch out for the traffic intersections, especially when biking downhill. Give yourself plenty of time to slow down.
Where to Park
Independence Park in Bristol – Thames St Bristol, RI 02809
Veterans Memorial Parkway in East Providence – North Parking Lot, East Providence, RI, 02914
Where to eat
Quito’s is a popular family seafood restaurant. The setting is casual with a great outdoor patio for the summer season. Convenient it is located near Independence Park.