Charles River Bike Path Loop
The ride everyone should do at least once. Grab a Bluebike at Cambridge Crossing, cross to the Esplanade at the Museum of Science, cruise the river past the Hatch Shell, and loop back over the Mass Ave Bridge.
Water views nearly the entire way. Finish at Scull & Keel on the CambridgeSide plaza, with a cold drink on the patio.
- Length
- 4.1 mi
- Time
- 27 min
- by bike
- Stops
- 5 stops
- plus 1 bonus
Starts at Cambridge Crossing, ends at Paul Dudley Bike Path (Cambridge side) · Directions
Unlock the River Runner badge
The route, stop by stop
On this route:Charles River paths· 2.8 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 River Runner badge.
Stop 1: Cambridge Crossing
Start
A new East Cambridge neighborhood built on an old rail yard beside Lechmere station, with a central green, shops and places to eat.
Bluebikes: Morgan Ave at North First St, 10 bikes there now, 1 min walk.
Next: Bike to Paul Dudley Bike Path at MOS
0.7 mi · 4 min
Head south from Cambridge Crossing and cross the Craigie Dam to the Museum of Science. The Paul Dudley Bike Path starts right here.
0.6 mi separated path
Stop 2: Paul Dudley Bike Path at MOS
The path passes the Museum of Science, which sits on top of the 1910 Charles River Dam where the river basin begins.
About this stopNext: Bike to Hatch Shell
0.8 mi · 5 min
Follow the Esplanade path west along the river. The Hatch Shell appears on your left; if there's a rehearsal happening, slow down and listen.
0.4 mi separated path0.4 mi on streets
Stop 3: Hatch Shell
The Art Deco Hatch Shell, finished in 1940 on the Esplanade, is where the Boston Pops play on the Fourth of July and free summer concerts happen.
About this stopNext: Bike to Mass Ave Bridge
0.9 mi · 6 min
Keep heading west on the Esplanade. The Mass Ave Bridge is the long one with the "Smoot" markings: 364.4 Smoots plus one ear.
0.9 mi separated path
Stop 4: Mass Ave Bridge
The Harvard Bridge carries Mass Ave across the Charles. Look down at the sidewalk for the smoot marks MIT students painted to measure it.
About this stopNext: Bike to Paul Dudley Bike Path (Cambridge side)
0.7 mi · 5 min
Cross the bridge back to Cambridge in its bike lane. Turn right onto Memorial Drive and pick up the bike path heading east.
0.2 mi separated path0.3 mi on streets
Stop 5: Paul Dudley Bike Path (Cambridge side)
Finish
The river path along Memorial Drive in front of MIT, with wide views across the Charles to the Back Bay skyline.
Bonus stops
Optional detours near the route, worth the extra few minutes.
Scull & Keel
A riverside fish house in the Royal Sonesta that opened in 2026, serving seafood and cocktails with outdoor tables on the Charles.
About this stop
Getting there
- Bluebikes near the start, right now
- Morgan Ave at North First St1 min walk · 10 bikes · 13 docks
- Cambridge Crossing at North First Street1 min walk · no bikes right now · 2 docks
Keep going
The Charles River Bike Path Loop 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
A group ride on part of this route
Somerville Cycle & Social: Esplanade Ride to Night Shift
Tuesday, October 27 · 6:15 PM
Somerville Community Path behind Republic Fitness, Davis Square
Hosted by Somerville Cycle & Social
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 5 stops and the roam is complete.
Unlock the River Runner badge
Finish the roam and the River Runner badge is yours.