BAY CIRCUIT TRAIL GUIDE - BIKEPACKING
YOUR ULTIMATE BIKEPACKING GUIDE TO THE BAY CIRCUIT TRAIL.

The Bay Circuit Trail is an unique combination of trails and roads. Together they form the shape of the letter “C” around Boston. The northern terminus is in Newburyport, MA and the southern is in Duxbury, some 230 (209 by bike) miles away. The trail was formed to use green spaces within urban areas and give residents a place to experience nature.

Though the trail wasn’t originally built for bikepackers, there are only a few areas bikes are not allowed and only one or two others that one might not want to ride/push a bike (but that’s part of bikepacking after all).

Since the trail is a combination of roads and dirt hiking trails, the Bay Circuit Trail is great for beginners or those looking to do small sections. Camping is very limited, making a thru-ride logistically tough. On the other hand there are plenty of services along the route, which makes resupply a snap.

This Bay Circuit Trail Bikepacking Guide includes all the tools one needs to plan their own adventure on the Bay Circuit Trail. It’s a smaller version of my larger bikepacking guides, which include the Arizona Trail, Tour Divide and Colorado Trail. Happy planning!

Popular Resources:

Bikepacking Resources

Planning Aids

Bikepacking Gear

Rider Survey's

Stats

DISTANCE

209 Miles (336km) Bike

DIFFICULTY (1-10)

Elevation Gain

11,400 Feet (3474m)

HIGHEST POINT

602 Feet (183.5m)

TIME REQUIRED

3 – 7 Days

% SINGLETRACK

45%

% UNPAVED

60%

Time of Year

Spring to Fall

Race Date

n/a

Closest Towns to Start/Finish

Newburyport and Duxbury, MA

Overview

The Bay Circuit Trail was first proposed in 1929. The loop is described on the BCT website as an “outer emerald necklace,” that links parks, open spaces and waterways from Plum Island to Kingston Bay. The trail goes through over 30 towns and hundreds of open spaces during its 230 miles from Newbury Port to Duxbury.

Made up of partnerships of land trust, trail clubs, individuals and town and state organizations, the Bay Circuit Alliance (BCA) was founded in 1990. Since 2012 the trail has been oversaw by the AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club).

The BCT passes by many historical landmarks as it makes it way from the northern to the southern terminus. This give the trail something extra you don’t get on most other long distance trails.

Route

The above is from the Bay Circuit Trail website. It shows the official route. The mountain bike route is slightly different. For an interactive map of the MTB route use the following link.

PLANNING / RESUPPLY

The BCT is more of a plan your own adventure type trail. This is because it has tons of options for starting and ending but on the other hand it lacks places to camp. Your best tool for planning is to take the GPX track and load it into Google, then researching your resupply/overnight stay options. The Ride with GPS link below in the External Resources section shows many of the possible resupply points but not all of them.

The BCT website has an “Explore” section that highlights some of the historical spots along the trail. One might want to explore them and add them to their agenda.

WATER

Water availability on the Bay Circuit Trail (BCT) can be a mixed bag, so careful planning is essential. Although the BCT traverses a variety of landscapes—woodlands, marshes, and suburban areas—natural water sources are not always reliable. Streams and ponds can be found in some sections, but many are stagnant or may not be safe for drinking without proper treatment.

Bikepackers should come prepared with filtration or purification methods. A lightweight water filter or UV purifier can turn murky pond water into a viable hydration source. However, there are sections of the trail, particularly through suburban and urban areas, where natural sources may be sparse. In these cases, gas stations, convenience stores, or public parks often become the most practical resupply points.

Another key consideration is seasonality. During the summer months, some streams may dry up, while in spring and after heavy rains, water sources are more abundant but might carry higher levels of contaminants from runoff. Due to this, one should and can rely solely on towns for fills up. Use of water bottles and/or a good hydration pack should be all one needs to complete the BCT well hydrated.

In addition to natural and commercial sources, trail towns along the BCT offer opportunities to fill up. Libraries, visitor centers, and even some trail angels occasionally provide water or allow access to spigots. Staying informed through apps like Gaia GPS or Trailforks, which offer user-generated water source data, can also make a significant difference.

Water Take Aways

Natural Sources: Streams and ponds exist but often require filtration and can be unreliable.
Seasonal Variability: Water availability changes with the seasons; streams may dry in summer or carry runoff in spring.
Urban Resupply: Trail towns offer reliable refill points at public parks, stores, and other facilities.
Be Prepared: Always carry filtration and plan water stops in advance.
Use Apps: Tools like Gaia GPS and the BCT interactive map help locate water sources and stay updated

BIKE SHOPS

There are many bike shops along the Bay Circuit Trail. Some are directly on trail while others are a short distance. Since I made this guide more than a few bike shops have closed. Be sure to do your own research of business hours and whether there still operating.

Andover – Soto Cycles (.8 off route)

Lowell – Altas Sports & UMASS Lowell Bike Shop (.4 and 1.2 off route)

Chelmsforfd – The Bike Shop

Acton – Pedal Power (1.5 off route)

Concord- ATA Cycle (.4 off route)

Sudbury – Frank’s Spoke’n Wheel

Sherborn – Steve the Bike Guy & Ride Headquarter (.7 and 1 mile off route)

Before you start your ride be sure your bike is good working status. Give it a good cleaning and inspection to find any areas that need attending to. Small issue at home quickly become big ones on the trail.

One other thing one should be sure to have is a good tool / repair kit. Even though you’re bike might be in great condition, accidents do happen. Having a good repair kit and knowing how to use it might save you having to leave the trail to visit one of the bike shops above.

Bike Shop Take Aways

Well Maintained Bike: Make sure you bike is in top condition before you hit the trail.
Tool Kit: Be sure to have a quality repair kit and know how to use it.
Research: Know your options before you leave for the trail. Research bike shop availability and hours.

FOOD

Like with water, food is not hard to find along the BCT route. With the trail passing through so many communities one doesn’t have to carry much. The biggest issue when it comes to food is not stopping ever chance there is an option to do so. With so many opportunities to acquire food, one can waste a lot of time and money. Be sure to know your caloric needs, plan your resupply stops carefully, don’t carry too much, and don’t stop too much.

Below is a list of the major towns/food locations.

Boxford Community Store, Lowell ,Concord, Wayland, Sudbury, Ashland, Medfield, Walpole, West Bridgewater, and Hanson.

There are other options to resupply along the route, places like gas stations and convenience stores.

Food Take Aways

More Options Then You Need: There is no shortage of food along the route.
Know Yourself: Know how much food you need to maintain your chosen pace.
Research: Know your options before you leave for the trail.
Stopping too Much: Be sure to have a resupply plan so you don’t stop too much.
Over Carrying: With some many options, it’s easy to over carry.

Transportation Options

Accessing the Bay Circuit Trail (BCT) involves a mix of transportation options, as the trail weaves through both remote and suburban areas in Massachusetts. Here’s an overview of the best ways to reach and navigate the trail:

1. Public Transit

The BCT is well-suited for those looking to minimize car use. Several sections are accessible via public transportation, particularly through the MBTA’s commuter rail, subway, and bus systems. Key trailheads near stations include:

North Shore: Access the northern sections from the Haverhill or Newburyport commuter rail lines.
South Shore: The Kingston/Plymouth line connects you to sections near Duxbury and Kingston.
Metro-West: Framingham/Worcester line serves areas around Natick and Ashland.

Bikes are allowed on most commuter rail lines, making it convenient for cyclists to reach trailheads.

2. Trail Town Amenities

Several trail towns offer local shuttle services or biking facilities. For instance, towns like Andover, Concord, and Duxbury have visitor centers or bike-friendly services.

Transportation Take Aways

Public Transit: The MBTA commuter rail and bus lines provide access to many trailheads; bikes are allowed on most lines.
Car Access: Numerous parking areas are available at state forests and trail towns; check the BCT interactive map for specific spots.
Trail Town Amenities: Towns like Concord and Duxbury offer visitor centers and bike-friendly services.
Combine Modes: Use public transit and biking for flexible section-by-section exploration.

Car Access and Parking

Many of the larger town forest, conversation land, or other green ways have parking at either end. Simple road crossing usually lack any kind of parking. Another great option are any of the commuter rail locations for those choosing to ride sections of the trail. For those driving, many trailheads and sections offer designated parking areas. Examples include:

Harold Parker State Forest: Ample parking for exploring the trail’s northern woods.
Commuter Rail / Park and Ride Lots: Public transportation location offer ample parking options.
Trail Crossings: Many trail crossings have limited street parking. Refer to the Bay Circuit Trail.

Parking Take Aways

State Forests and Parks: Key access points like Harold Parker State Forest offer ample parking.
Trail Towns: Many towns along the BCT offer municipal lots or street parking near trailheads.
Conservation Areas: Some conservation lands provide small parking lots, but space may be limited.
BCT Interactive Map: Use the map to locate parking spots along the trail and plan accordingly.
Avoid Private Land: Be mindful of private property; park only in designated areas to respect landowners and avoid fines.

Camping

Camping options can be found on the BCT but most camping options are found a short distance from the trail. Careful research is needed to properly plan a multi-day trip on the BCT. Besides campgrounds one can explore a number of other options for overnight stays. Keep reading to see what they are.

1. Campgrounds

Camping on the Bay Circuit Trail (BCT) is possible but requires careful planning, as options vary by section. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

Section 1

Salisbury Beach State Reservation: A wonderful life-guarded ocean beach and camping. Fee. 978-462-4481.

Section 2

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary: limited camping on islands by prior arrangement, 978-887-9264.
Camp Denison (off route): Offers multiple camping options just off route.

Section 3

Harold Parker State Forest: Lorraine Park Campground (off route) Features a well-maintained campground with facilities like restrooms and showers.

Section 4-5B

None

Section 6

Camp Acton: For camping (permit required from Town of Acton). A fee of $15.00 per weekend per campsite. Call Recreation Dept. 978-929-6640.

Section 7-8:

None

Section 9

Rocky Woods Reservation (off route): About 2 miles off route Rocky Woods is the of only options Section 6-13.

Section 10-12

None

Section 13

Hanson Town Forest: Two primitive campsites are managed by the Town Forest Committee.
Camp Kiwanee: Rustic cabin/camping facilities. See website for more information.

Section 14

None

2. Trail Angel and Private Camping

In some trail towns, local residents or “trail angels” may offer private camping on their property. This is less formal and often arranged through word of mouth or online trail forums. Connecting with the BCT community can help uncover these opportunities.

3. Stealth Camping

While not officially encouraged, stealth camping is sometimes practiced on the BCT. If you choose this option, it’s crucial to follow Leave No Trace principles: camp out of sight, avoid sensitive areas, and leave no impact. Be aware of local ordinances and landowner boundaries to avoid trespassing.

4. Permits and Restrictions

Some areas, particularly conservation lands, may require permits for overnight stays or restrict camping altogether. Always check with local land managers or the BCT website for up-to-date regulations.

5. Alternative Lodging

If camping isn’t an option, nearby towns often provide alternative accommodations like motels, inns, or Airbnbs. Public transit and ride services can bridge the gap between trailheads and lodging if needed.

Camping Take Aways

Limited On-Trail Campgrounds: While some campgrounds exist, many are a short distance off the trail (e.g., Harold Parker State Forest, Rocky Woods Reservation).
Trail Gaps in Camping: Certain sections (e.g., 4-5B, 7-8, 10-12) have no official camping options.
Trail Angel and Private Camping: Locals may offer private camping; these require connections through forums or word of mouth.
Permits and Fees: Some sites require permits and charge fees (e.g., Camp Acton, Hanson Town Forest, and others).
Alternative Lodging: Motels, inns, and Airbnbs in trail towns can supplement camping plans.

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Bay Circuit Trail Planning Aids

During my Bikepacking Triple Crown, it became clear bikepacking didn’t have quality planning tools available. As a Triple Crown thru-hiker I’m used to quality planning tools for my trips. The Project’s Bay Circuit Trail Planning Aids and Resources are our answer to this.

After 100’s of hours of research, 1000’s of keystrokes, web surfing, and more emails and phone calls than I can recall the One of Seven Project’s has put together quality planning aids for the Bay Circuit Trail and others. They’re the ultimate planning resources for the Bay Circuit Trail. They contain everything you need to plan and execute your ride of the BCT. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in these then it’s probably in our Bay Circuit Trail Guide.

Data Sheets

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Click “Buy Now” button below to visit 1/7 Store with larger examples and more details.

Data Sheet includes:

Key POI.
Elevation / Pop of POI.
Mileage numbers.
Distance to next.
Elevation +/-.
Avg. Grade between POI.
Max & Min. elevation between POI.

Pavement sections.
Water sources.
Bike shops.
Resupply options.
Important notes.
Elevation profile.
Finish Target Times.

Data Sheet $25 + tax (CO only)

Buy Now »

MUST KNOW

Highlights Difficulties Dangers and Pitfalls

Varied Terrain: As the trail utilizes both trails and roads one gets to experience great off road riding and easy paved sections.
Plentiful Resupply Options: Multiple town centers offer numerous options to keep fueled up on your ride.
Route Options: The BCT has multiple route options, thus giving users many options to create different adventures.
Views: Multiple high points, beaches, and other picturesque location over amazing views.
Historical Sites: The route goes through sites like the Minute Man National Historical Park, Walden Pond and more.

Water: Lack of clean natural water sources during off road sections (late season).
The Route: With the route constantly going from on road to off, navigation is difficult due to the overwhelming amount of turns.
Limited Camping: Most camping options are off trail or expensive making multi-day trips hare to plan.
Terrain: Many of the BCT off road sections contain typical New England characteristics. They are rocky and provide little flow.

Urban Sections: The many populated areas mean added interactions with traffic, thus increasing a riders safety.
Limited Camping: Lack of legal places to camp.
Bridges/Boardwalks: Multiple wooden bridges/boardwalks over water or wet areas can be very slippery.
Ticks: The ever increasing spread of lime disease means one must be diligent and check themselves often.

PHOTOS OF THE BAY CIRCUIT TRAIL

Bay Circuit Trail If I Rode Again, gear list, bikepacking, advice, tips, gear, BCT, Ultimate Bikepacking and Hiking Resource

Bay circuit trail, bct, bikepacking, Ultimate Bikepacking and Hiking Resource

EXTERNAL RESOURCES

WEBSITES

MAPS / BOOKS / GPX

You can download the GPX track from Ride with GPS.

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MORE RESOURCES

Read these next or checkout the main resource page.

PLANNING / GEAR RESOURCES

PLANNING AIDS

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Checkout all our amazing Planning Aids at our store. Southbound and Northbound, as well as metric versions are available depending on the route.

TRIPLE CROWN GEAR

1 2 3

Dive into all three gear lists from the Bikepacking Triple Crown, and find pros & cons; things I’d do differently; and tips.

“IF I RODE…” SERIES

1 2 3

In depth look at what I would bring for gear and why, if I rode the Tour Divide, CTR, AZTR, Kokopelli Trail, and Bay Circuit Trail again.

RIDER SURVEYS

1 2 3

Curios to know what gear other riders used to get to the finish line? Checkout our Rider Surveys to find out what works or to take the survey yourself.

MOST POPULAR RESOURCES

Brooks B-17 Bikepacking - how to care for your butt

Bikepacking, Featured Bikepacking Resource, Mountain Bike, Mtb

Checkout our bikepacking resource page for more planning help.

Bikepacking Resources

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BAY CIRCUIT TRAIL GUIDE - BIKEPACKING

Table of Contents:

Share this entry

Popular Resources:

Stats

Time of Year

Race Date

Closest Towns to Start/Finish

Overview

Route

PLANNING / RESUPPLY

WATER

BIKE SHOPS

FOOD

Transportation Options

1. Public Transit

2. Trail Town Amenities

Car Access and Parking

Camping

1. Campgrounds

2. Trail Angel and Private Camping

3. Stealth Camping

4. Permits and Restrictions

5. Alternative Lodging

Bay Circuit Trail Planning Aids

Data Sheets

MUST KNOW

PHOTOS OF THE BAY CIRCUIT TRAIL

EXTERNAL RESOURCES

WEBSITES

MAPS / BOOKS / GPX

MORE RESOURCES

PLANNING / GEAR RESOURCES

PLANNING AIDS

TRIPLE CROWN GEAR

“IF I RODE…” SERIES

RIDER SURVEYS

MOST POPULAR RESOURCES

Checkout our bikepacking resource page for more planning help.

CHECKOUT ALL OUR GUIDES

Support the Project