CHARLESTOWN BE-FIT ROAD BIKE TRAIL

Charlestown Be-Fit – Road Bike Trail (5.14.2021)

Come visit Charlestown Rhode Island and take a tour on two wheels of our rural community. Get a flavor for our Open Space Preserves, Historic Sites, Ponds and Countryside. Many of Charlestown’s pristine conserved lands will be passed on this tour: Burlingame Park Management, Frances C. Carter Memorial, Pasquiset Pond Preserve, South Farm, Mill Pond. Others will be skirted: Patricia Sprague Forest and Richard Trails. No end to hiking exploration that awaits on these nearly 5000 acres of beautiful open space. The trail is designed as a west leg and/or an east leg with parking at either end points. If done in one direction, a pick-up vehicle will be needed.

All roads are biking designated as “most suitable or suitable”, as indicated on the RIDOT's Guide to Cycling in the Ocean State. All are country roads and care should be taken. All riders should ride single file, wear a helmet, have lights front and back, wear light bright clothing and have fun.

West Leg Road Bike Trail Details

West leg Parking Directions

Start at Burlingame State Park North/South Trailhead Parking area. From Rt 1 head north on Rt 216 (Ross Hill Rd) at 2.4 miles go Rt onto Buckeye Brook and proceed for 2 miles, the BSP Trail Head Parking will be on the left.

Start

Mm 0.0 – Make a left out of the parking area and head NE on Buckeye Brook Road

Mm 0.8 – Buckeye Brook Rd. ends at the stop sign.

At the stop sign turn left onto Shumankanuc Hill Road. The Historic Burdick Family Cemetery is on the right just before the turn You will pass The Stoney Hill Cattle Company, a local farm delivering farm fresh beef, pork, all natural and humanely raised meats.

Mm 2.8 – After a long downhill, Shumankanuc Hill Rd. ends at the stop sign.

At the stop sign turn left onto Kings Factory Road. Pass the Frances C. Carter Preserve (under Nature Conservancy ownership), offers hiking trails, river access for kayaks, and parking area.

Mm 3.7 – Kings Factory Road ends at the stop sign.

Turn Right onto Carolina Road (Rt. 91) A Department of Transportation (DOT) designated Bike Route.

You Pass, Pond Fishing Area, John “Jay” Cronan Fishing and River Boat Access, Tucker Woods Preserve

Mm 6.2 – Rt 91 ends at the junction of Carolina Back road (Rt 112)

THIS IS THE HALF WAY POINT AND THE END OF THE WEST LOOP. CONSIDER A REFRESHING BREAK AT K&S PIZZA BEFORE RETURNING THE WAY YOU CAME OR CONTINUING ON THE EAST LEG.

Parking for West Leg Termination or East Leg Start

On the right/south side of Rt 91 just before Rt 112 and across the street from the post office is RICAN (Rhode Island Center Assisting those in Need) on the far right of RICAN’s parking lot, parking is permissible. 

East Loop Road Bike Trail Details

East Leg Start

Mm 6.2 - Right onto Carolina Back Road “Route 112” A Department of Transportation (DOT) designated Bike Route

As you travel south on Rt 112, Railroad Ave is on your left and the Patricia Sprague Preserve is a recent open space acquisitions.

Mm 8.4 – Rt 112 merges with Rt 2 (South County Trail), continue south Past the Charlestown Town Hall on the left. Richard Trails Open Space is on the right just beyond the intersection of Narrow Lane.

Mm 11.3 – East Leg ends at the Rt 112/Rt 2 junction with Rt 1. Pass Charlestown Land Trust Mill Pond Preserve home of the former American Fish Culture Hatchery. Another area of very nice foot trails with ample parking

Enter Business area: Simple Pleasures home decor, gifts and more, Hungry Haven Restaurant, Fine American Contemporary Art Gallery, Arrowhead Dentistry, Atlantic Animal Hospital & Wellness Center

Parking for the East Leg Termination

Park at Simple Pleasures near the sign on the corner of Rt 1 and Rt 2 / Rt 112 .

THE END, hope you enjoy it.

Alternate 1 for the East Leg - A more Rural Route that avoids some traffic

East Leg Alternate I Details

Start

Mm 6.2 - Right onto Carolina Back Road “Route 112” A Department of Transportation (DOT) designated Bike Route, same start as East Leg.

Mm 8.4 – Rt 112 merges with Rt 2 (South County Trail) – Alternate 1 begins by heading north on Rt 2 in the opposite direction from East Leg directions Pass Rippy’s Liquor and Marketplace

Mm 9.8 – Right onto Maple Lake Farm Rd

Maple Lake Farm Road, merges with Shannock Rd. and past South County Flowers.

Continue on Shannock Road at the intersection with Worden’s Pond Road

Mm 11.7 – Right onto Old Coach Road

Rathskeller Restaurant, home of the best fries this side of Providence we hear tell. Pass the entrance to The Nordic Lodge, all you can eat buffet Historic Cemeteries # 4 and # 9

Mm 12.2 – Trail ends at Historic South Farm Preserve, Directly across the street from Old Coach Horse Farm

Parking for the East Leg Alternate 1 Termination

Parking at the South Farm Preserve is permissible.

If you have the energy after the ride, walk some of the trails in the preserve. THE END, hope you enjoy it.

Alternate 2 for the East Leg – Includes a Very Challenging Hill, one of the most difficult to ride in Rhode Island. You enter a small part of Richmond while traveling a more Rural Route that avoids some traffic

East Leg Alternate 2 Details

Start 

Mm 6.2 - Left onto Carolina Back Road “Route 112” A Department of Transportation (DOT) designated Bike Route At the very beginning of the East Leg you are heading North in the opposite direction of the official East Leg direction.

Mm 6.9 – Right onto Shannock Hill Road - They really mean “HILL “

Mm 9.5 – Shannock Hill Road ends at Rt 2 Turn Right onto Rt 2 heading south

Mm 10.9 – Turn left onto Maple Lake Farm Road Signage for Nordic Lodge directs you to Maple Lake Farm Road

Mm 11.4 – Maple Lake Farm Road ends and you merge onto Shannock Road Past South County Flowers. Continue on Shannock Road past the intersection with Worden’s Pond Road

Mm 12.6 – Right onto Old Coach Road Rathskeller Restaurant, home of the best fries this side of Providence we hear tell. Pass the entrance to The Nordic Lodge, all you can eat buffet Historic Cemeteries # 4 and # 9

Mm 13.1 – Trail ends at Historic South Farm Preserve Directly across the street from Old Coach Horse Farm

Parking for the East Leg Alternate 2 Termination

Parking at the South Farm Preserve is permissible. If you have the energy after the ride, walk some of the trails in the preserve. THE END, hope you enjoy it.