NORTH-SOUTH TRAIL
Douglas State Forest, MA - East Beach, RI.
Submitted by Chris Palmer, Mystic Cycle Centre
Stats
78 miles, 3,624 ft elevation gain, 46 ft/mi. Bi-directional, shown North to South.
Difficulty
Intermediate due to wide range of terrain with boulder field hike-a-bike.
Terrain, Bike Choice
Mixed terrain: singletrack, double track, gravel, pavement. Preferred bike rank: Hardtail, Rigid MTB, Full suspension, Gravel.
Camping
Established campgrounds at the start and end.
Number of Nights
1 night ideal, 2 nights for a slower pace (no good re-supply for second night)
Food & Water
Resupply options throughout route, water filter is still recommended.
Bikepacking the North-South Trail
The North-South Trail is a point-to-point ride that traverses the length of Rhode Island. Snaking its way south from the border of Massachusetts, the trails uses state forests, wildlife refuges, management areas and state parks to reach the Atlantic Ocean. For the smallest US state, with over one million people, the trail does a remarkable job of keeping you in the woods.
Highlights
- End/start at the Atlantic Ocean
- Stone foundations from the Colonial period.
- Abondant wildlife
- Mixed terrain from boulder fields to pavement.
Trip Beta
The North-South Trail is a point-to-point route. This presents a small challenge of arranging a drop off/pick up, but this small obstacle is worth figuring out given the quality of the route. Riders heading North to South, ending at the ocean, will enjoy a net negative elevation gain (~600 ft). There is also a campground on the ocean close to where the NST picks up. This could be a good location to leave a car.
Heading South you’ll start just over the boarder of Rhode Island traveling briefly on the Midstate Trail, which traverses the width of Massachusetts to New Hampshire. Once you connect to the NST you’ll begin to see the old stone foundations dating back to the Colonial period. Throughout the ride you’ll see old burial sites, defunct dams, and dilapidated stone walls from old New England farming communities. As you head south the singletrack is rough going and offers a few sections of flat hike-a-bike over small boulders and downed trees. The largest boulder field is waiting further south in the Arcadia Management Area. Locals will tell you there are trails off the NST to help avoid the boulder fields, but if you’re looking for the full NST experience, stay the course and wear a good pair of shoes.
To traverse the state you’ll ride almost every terrain type from pavement to rough singletrack. This creates an engaging route and opens the ride to a variety of bike choices that all can be argued for. Navigation is also a bit different then your typical bikepacking route. Because it was marked for hikers, it’s a fun game of linking together clues of blue blazes; about 3 inches wide by 6 inches long. Slapped on trees, telephone poles, and rocks. A double blaze for turns, often next to a hand written N-S Trail marker giving a directional arrow. While it’s recommended to have access to the GPS file, it’s not a necessity.
Given the New England scenery, varied terrain, history, and abundant wildlife this is a highly recommend ride. With really no major elevation change the trail can be made challenging by pushing your speed or taken easy with a slow roll. We hope you enjoy! Visit our Routes Page for more East Coast S240 routes.
Additional Information:
- The North-South trail travels through hunting land and users must wear day-glow fluorescent orange between September 1st to February 28th, and between the third Saturday of April to May 31st. Fines are handed out if not obeyed.
- Since this ride is point-to-point, parking logistics can take some planning for pick up/drop off. If you do leave a car at either end be sure to make sure to get approval for overnight parking.
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does the entire hike look like the first 25 km?
no, it does smooth out eventually after that first bit of rocky areas : )
Hi! Do you have a good route back to Douglas?
ah sorry, I think most people are coordinating a ride or pickup at the end of the trail to get back out.
Hi Gregory! Awesome ride, a friend and I are looking to do this, but curious about how technical the trails are. Would a rigid gravel bike with 650x47c tires be able to handle it? Thanks!
oof that would be under biking in my opinion. But definitely possible if you don’t mind going slow with some more hike-a-bike.
I started at the Northern end coming in via the Mid State Trail, in September 2022, intending to MTB north-to-south & camp overnight. The trail is rocky and narrow in this sector with many fallen trees. In fact, it is now overgrown to the point it is barely one-person wide. After the first mile, it turned into hike-a-bike, for me, all the way to Buck Hill… Bailed out at Buck Hill Road and decided to restart from the south end in Charlestown. Completely different trail down there! Making my way up on my Trek hardtail, doing one 10-15 mile section every few days and enjoying the experience.
I did the same thing in 2021 — that section of trail is very tough. FYI: For those traveling North to South: At that first intersection of the MA Mid State Trail and RI North South Trail, if you go straight (instead of turning left onto RI North South Trail) you’ll find trails that are totally bikeable through BuckHill Management Area. Happy to share the GPX file if anyone wants it.
Thats a good tip! There is definitely some backcountry charm on that section on the NST
hello, could you share that file? im interstested. thanks you
Hey ken! For sure. The button to the GPX file is at the top of the page in the banner. Also if you click the name on the map it will take you to the file at RwGPS. Thanks! – Greg
Looks awesome! Trying to do it later this year. Did you camp halfway through? If so where?
Sweet Justin, hope you love it as much as I did. Yeah I camped about half way through, on state land. It was a stealth camp, set up around midnight, left around 6 am. Don’t remember exactly where…
Looking for the GPX file for this. Anyway you can email it to me?
Hey Jason! For sure. The button to the GPX file is at the top of the page in the banner. Also if you click the name on the map it will take you to the file at RwGPS. Thanks! – Greg