Northern Strand Trail
A paved rail trail from the Mystic River to Lynn, straight across the Rumney Marsh
The Northern Strand Trail follows the old Saugus Branch rail line through Everett, Malden, Revere, Saugus and Lynn, on a paved path of its own. Start at the trailhead by the Mystic River, stop at the benches over the Rumney Marsh, cross the red footbridge over the Saugus River, and finish at Market Basket in Lynn. It is about 9.3 flat miles, or an hour of riding. On a Bluebike, ride to the Rumney Marsh and return the bike at the Salem Street dock just past it. Two stops are enough for the badge.
Suggested by Samantha LeBlanc
- Length
- 9.3 mi
- of 10 miles
- Time
- 1 hr
- by bike
- Stops
- 4 stops
- plus 2 bonus
Starts at Northern Strand Greenway Trailhead, ends at Market Basket, Lynn · Directions
Unlock the Bike to the Sea badge
The route, stop by stop
On this route:Northern Strand Trail· 9.2 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 Bike to the Sea badge.
Stop 1: Northern Strand Greenway Trailhead
Start
The trail starts here beside the Mystic River in Everett, a short ride from the Encore Bluebikes dock.
Bluebikes: Encore, 4 bikes there now, 3 min walk.
About this stopNext: Bike to Rumney Marsh overlook
5.3 mi · 35 min
5.3 mi separated path
- Hills
- Flat: no appreciable climb
Stop 2: Rumney Marsh overlook
Stone benches above the Rumney Marsh, a 600-acre salt marsh where the Saugus and Pines rivers meet. A good place to watch for wading birds, and the turnaround point if you are on a Bluebike.
About this stopNext: Bike to Saugus River footbridge
2.7 mi · 17 min
2.7 mi separated path
- Hills
- Flat: no appreciable climb
Stop 3: Saugus River footbridge
A red footbridge over the Saugus River at the edge of Lynn. Stop in the middle for a view up and down the river.
About this stopNext: Bike to Market Basket, Lynn
1.4 mi · 9 min
1.4 mi separated path
- Hills
- Flat: no appreciable climb
Stop 4: Market Basket, Lynn
Finish
The paved trail reaches Western Avenue here, next to Market Basket. Bring a lock if you want to go in for a snack.
About this stop
Bonus stops
Optional detours near the route, worth the extra few minutes.
Saugus Iron Works
America's first successful ironworks, built in the 1640s and now a National Park site on the Saugus River. About half a mile north of the trail.
About this stopNahant Beach
A long sandy beach where Lynn meets Nahant, about 2 miles past Market Basket. A new two-way bike path through downtown Lynn and along the Lynnway is due to open in late 2026, so expect some construction on the way.
About this stop
Getting there
- By transit, bike or on foot
- Bluebikes has docks at Encore, a short ride from the trailhead, and along the trail through Everett, Malden and Revere, up to Northern Strand at Salem Street, a quarter mile past the Rumney Marsh. On a Bluebike, ride from Encore to the marsh and return the bike at Salem Street. That is about 6 miles, and it counts for the badge. There are no docks after that, so that is the place to end a Bluebike ride. Orange Line riders can join at Malden Center, a few blocks from the trail. On your own bike, you can ride the whole way and take the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail home from Lynn station, about 1.5 miles east of Market Basket. Not every train takes bikes; the list on this page shows the next ones that do.
- Bluebikes near the start, right now
- Encore3 min walk · 4 bikes · 11 docks
- Broadway at Lynde St6 min walk · 12 bikes · 3 docks
- Parking
- Bike to the Sea suggests the hockey rink lot by Malden High School, next to the trail.
- Surface
- Paved and flat the whole way, on the old Saugus Branch rail bed. Each street crossing has been upgraded to make it safer.
Keep going
The Northern Strand Trail 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
Annual Fall Colors Ride
Sunday, October 25 · 11 AM
Night Shift Brewing
Hosted by Bike to the Sea
Ride with the Shift app on, and your trip to or from the ride unlocks a $10 gift card. One per person, for the first 25 riders.
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 2 of the 4 stops and the roam is complete.
Unlock the Bike to the Sea badge
Finish the roam and the Bike to the Sea badge is yours.