Our favorite run in the New Bedford/Fairhaven area is the waterfront path down to Fort Rodman, combined with the New Bedford Harbor Walk. It’s all off-road on paved multi-use paths alongside Rodney French Rd., and features terrific views of the Acushnet River & Clarks Cove on the west side and Buzzards Bay on the east side. The full route is 7.4 miles, but there are options for shorter.
Start on the path along Cove Rd., in the Howland Mill Village Historic District section of New Bedford. There are nice views of Clarks Cove. After 0.5 miles, join the Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail, which runs alongside W Rodney French Rd. It’s 2 miles south down to the Civil War-era Fort Rodman. There are some additional paths to explore in around the fort and Fort Tabor Park, where there’s also a Military Museum. Loop back along the eastern side of the peninsula on the East Beach Path. At the end (5-mile mark), take the scenic New Bedford Harbor Walk, which juts out to Buzzards Bay for 0.6 miles. It’s a popular spot, with great views of the water and Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven across the way. The final 1 mile is along Cove St. to the start.
Shorter Option: Cut across the Peninsula on one of the roads if you don’t want to do the full 4.5 mile loop.
Our favorite run in the New Bedford/Fairhaven area is the waterfront path down to Fort Rodman, combined with the New Bedford Harbor Walk. It’s all off-road on paved multi-use paths alongside Rodney French Rd., and features terrific views of the Acushnet River & Clarks Cove on the west side and Buzzards Bay on the east side. The full route is 7.4 miles, but there are options for shorter.
Start on the path along Cove Rd., in the Howland Mill Village Historic District section of New Bedford. There are nice views of Clarks Cove. After 0.5 miles, join the Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail, which runs alongside W Rodney French Rd. It’s 2 miles south down to the Civil War-era Fort Rodman. There are some additional paths to explore in around the fort and Fort Tabor Park, where there’s also a Military Museum. Loop back along the eastern side of the peninsula on the East Beach Path. At the end (5-mile mark), take the scenic New Bedford Harbor Walk, which juts out to Buzzards Bay for 0.6 miles. It’s a popular spot, with great views of the water and Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven across the way. The final 1 mile is along Cove St. to the start.
Shorter Option: Cut across the Peninsula on one of the roads if you don’t want to do the full 4.5 mile loop.
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