Boston, Massachusetts
Population: 4,641,000
On this list, only Los Angeles is larger than Boston in terms of population. But LA doesn’t feel like it’s as densely populated, which makes it all the more remarkable that an East Coast city like Boston boasts 40 mountain bike trails within 25 miles of the city center.
The mountain biking in and around Boston could not be more different than the riding found in the western cities on our list. Technical trails like those found at Lynn Woods, the Vietnam Trails, and Gilbert Hills State Park are chock full of rocks, roots, and steep climbs through dense forests. Middlesex Fells and Harold Parker State Forest feature excellent cross-country trails for those looking for slightly milder two-wheel punishment. Russell Mill, Wompatuck, and Cutler Park round out the list of popular mountain bike trails near Boston, most of which are maintained by NEMBA. With so many trails to choose from, deciding on an after-work ride in Boston can be tough!
-Jeff Barber
