Enjoy this coastal bike ride through Gloucester with views, views and more views

This 18-miler hugs the coast, and will enchant you with it’s views of the open ocean, Gloucester Harbor and Eastern Point.

Let’s start our ride in the village of Magnolia, reachable from the coastal state route 127. Park on the street and feel free to take time to poke around Magnolia’s beautiful Shore Road as you loosen up your legs. Ready to go? Head east on Hesperus Avenue over its gentle hills. You’ll pass Hammond Castle and take a right on at the intersection with Route 127, heading towards Gloucester. Keep an eye out to the right for a detour through Stage Fort Park. Enjoy views of Gloucester’s outer harbor and the Eastern Point Lighthouse to the south. That’s where we’re heading next! Exit Stage Fort Park and take a right on Western Ave. If the drawbridge over the Blynman Canal is open, be sure to join the audience along the rails to witness boats running the standing waves. There is always the potential for mayhem!

Continue through downtown Gloucester along Rogers Street. When you reach the light at the end of Route 128, take a right on East Main Street. With harbor views to the right, feel free to pull over to take take in Gloucester’s inner harbor. You may see a working boat or two, loading or unloading, in addition to pleasure boats of all kinds.

Just past Niles Beach, a Gloucester residents-only crescent of sand at the head of the outer harbor, you’ll find Eastern Point Boulevard on the right. Note that during warm months – and especially on weekends – there is often a security officer stationed at the end of the road. Bikes are allowed on the road as it accesses Eastern Point, and a quick wave will get you on your way. This is an out-an-back ride at this point. When you get to the end of the road, there is a parking lot of access to the long granite breakwater protecting Gloucester’s harbor. You can walk out on it if you’re brave!

The views out to the open ocean include the Eastern Point Lighthouse, built in 1890 and still in use today.

Returning to the entrance to Eastern Point, take a right and enjoy a sea-breezy ride around Atlantic Road. With its hotels, beautiful seaside homes and rocky coast, the ‘Back Shore’ of Gloucester is spectacular.

Follow our loop back to Gloucester’s Main Street, where you can stop to poke around the many shops or grab a sandwich or snack – a few ideas are listed below.

Now it’s time to retrace our route back down 127 to Hesperus Ave. You’ll arrive in Magnolia with a new appreciation of how much you can pack into 18 miles.