Marblehead Rail Trail
Two historic seaports, tide pools, and a thousand years of stories
Nearly the whole Marblehead Rail Trail, from the tide pools at Preston Beach to Salem's waterfront, with 85% of it on separated path, away from traffic. The Marblehead stretch is packed dirt and flat the whole way, easy going even with kids; it turns to smooth asphalt at the Salem line for the run into downtown, ending at the Salem Witch Trials Memorial and the Peabody Essex Museum.
- Length
- 5.5 mi
- Time
- 39 min
- by bike
- Stops
- 4 stops
- plus 3 bonus
Starts at Preston Beach, ends at Peabody Essex Museum · Directions
Unlock the Marblehead Rail badge
The route, stop by stop
On this route:Marblehead Rail Trail· 3 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 Marblehead Rail badge.
Stop 1: Preston Beach
Start
A hidden beach with tide pools and rocky shoreline, accessible from the trail
About this stopNext: Bike to Wyman Woods & Harbor Glade
2.8 mi · 20 min
2.5 mi separated path0.3 mi on streets
- Hills
- Flat: no appreciable climb
Stop 2: Wyman Woods & Harbor Glade
33.5 acres of conservation land with woodland trails connecting to the rail trail
About this stopNext: Bike to Salem Witch Trials Memorial
2.6 mi · 17 min
2.4 mi separated path0.2 mi on streets
- Hills
- Flat: no appreciable climb
Stop 3: Salem Witch Trials Memorial
A solemn memorial dedicated to the victims of the 1692 Salem witch trials
About this stopNext: Bike to Peabody Essex Museum
0.1 mi · 2 min
0.1 mi on streets
- Hills
- Flat
Stop 4: Peabody Essex Museum
Finish
A world-class museum featuring the transplanted Yin Yu Tang Qing-era Chinese house
About this stop
Bonus stops
Optional detours near the route, worth the extra few minutes.
Devereux Beach
A popular beach linking Marblehead Neck to the mainland with harbor views
About this stopAbbot Hall & Downtown Marblehead
Marblehead's iconic 1876 town hall, home to the original Spirit of '76 painting
About this stopLeslie's Retreat Park
Site of the first armed confrontation of the American Revolution in February 1775
About this stop
Getting there
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 Marblehead Rail badge
Finish the roam and the Marblehead Rail 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.