Mystic River Greenway (Alewife to Medford)
Two rivers, two T stations, and 300 years of history between them
This roam covers 6.7 miles of the 7.1-mile urban greenway connecting Cambridge's Alewife Station to Medford's Wellington Station along two river corridors. Features one of New England's largest constructed wetlands, the oldest stone structure in Massachusetts, and views of the Amelia Earhart Dam.
- Length
- 6.7 mi
- Time
- 41 min
- by bike
- Stops
- 4 stops
- plus 1 bonus
Starts at Alewife Reservation Constructed Wetland, ends at Amelia Earhart Dam · Directions
Unlock the Alewife to Mystic badge
The route, stop by stop
On this route:Mystic River and Alewife Brook paths· 2.4 mi
Numbered pins are the stops; gold rings are optional detours.
Ride it with Shift, free
A map of the route, directions to each stop in your maps app, and automatic check-in when you arrive. Finish to unlock the Alewife to Mystic badge.
Stop 1: Alewife Reservation Constructed Wetland
Start
One of the largest constructed wetlands in New England, filtering stormwater into Alewife Brook
Bluebikes: 125 Cambridgepark Dr, 3 bikes there now, 2 min walk.
About this stopNext: Bike to Middlesex Canal Marker
2.4 mi · 14 min
1.9 mi separated path
Stop 2: Middlesex Canal Marker
Marker for the 1803 Middlesex Canal, one of America's first major canals connecting Boston Harbor to the Merrimack River
About this stopNext: Bike to Torbert MacDonald Park
3 mi · 19 min
1.9 mi separated path0.1 mi bike lane0.7 mi on streets
Stop 3: Torbert MacDonald Park
A 63-acre riverside park along the Mystic River with sports fields and boat launch
About this stopNext: Bike to Amelia Earhart Dam
1.4 mi · 8 min
1.1 mi separated path
Stop 4: Amelia Earhart Dam
Finish
A dam named for the aviation pioneer who lived nearby in Medford, separating the tidal and freshwater Mystic River
About this stop
Bonus stops
Optional detours near the route, worth the extra few minutes.
Old Powder House
The oldest stone structure in Massachusetts, erected in 1703 as a windmill and later used for gunpowder storage
About this stop
Getting there
- Bluebikes near the start, right now
- 125 Cambridgepark Dr2 min walk · 3 bikes · 16 docks
- Discovery Park - 30 Acorn Park Drive2 min walk · 8 bikes · 13 docks
Keep going
The Mystic River Greenway (Alewife to Medford) is one piece of a bigger network. From either end you can keep riding on paths and protected bike lanes. Pick a direction to see it on the map.
This roam Where you can keep going Other bike paths
How it works
A roam is a self-guided route you follow at your own pace in the free Shift app.
Follow the route
Open this roam in the Shift app and follow it at your own pace.
Check in at each stop
The app checks you in when you arrive. No scanning, no codes. Visit all 4 stops and the roam is complete.
Unlock the Alewife to Mystic badge
Finish the roam and the Alewife to Mystic badge is yours. Finish all 0 routes in the MassTrails 10 for a bonus badge.
Part of the MassTrails 10. Finish all 0 routes to unlock the Trail Master badge.