Emerald Necklace Bike Route
Frederick Law Olmsted designed a continuous chain of parks from the Back Bay Fens to Franklin Park: 7 miles of green running through the heart of the city. Most Bostonians have never ridden the whole thing.
This is your chance.
- Length
- 7.3 mi
- Time
- 49 min
- by bike
- Stops
- 4 stops
Starts at Back Bay Fens, ends at Franklin Park · Directions
Unlock the Necklace Rider badge
The route, stop by stop
On this route:Emerald Necklace paths· 1.9 mi
Numbered pins are the stops.
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 Necklace Rider badge.
Stop 1: Back Bay Fens
Start
Olmsted's first link in the Emerald Necklace, home to the Fenway Victory Gardens, planted in 1942, and the Kelleher Rose Garden.
Bluebikes: Fenway at Museum Rd, 7 bikes there now, 3 min walk.
About this stopNext: Bike to Jamaica Pond Boathouse
3.1 mi · 20 min
2.8 mi separated path
Stop 2: Jamaica Pond Boathouse
Jamaica Pond is a 68-acre kettle pond, the largest body of fresh water in Boston. You can rent rowboats and sailboats at the boathouse in season.
About this stopNext: Bike to Arnold Arboretum (Main Gate)
1.9 mi · 11 min
0.6 mi separated path0.3 mi bike lane
Stop 3: Arnold Arboretum (Main Gate)
The main gate of Harvard's Arnold Arboretum, a free 281-acre park founded in 1872. The Hunnewell Visitor Center is just inside.
About this stopNext: Bike to Franklin Park
2.4 mi · 24 min
1.6 mi separated path0.7 mi bike lane
Stop 4: Franklin Park
Finish
At 527 acres, Franklin Park is Boston's biggest park and the last link in the Emerald Necklace. The Franklin Park Zoo is here too.
About this stop
Getting there
- Bluebikes near the start, right now
- Fenway at Museum Rd3 min walk · 7 bikes · 14 docks
- Fenway at Forsyth Way4 min walk · 4 bikes · 15 docks
Keep going
The Emerald Necklace Bike Route 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 Necklace Rider badge
Finish the roam and the Necklace Rider badge is yours.