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Plum Island Lighthouse – Sandy Point State Reservation loop from Protected Dunes

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Bike touring routes & trails

Plum Island Lighthouse – Sandy Point State Reservation loop from Protected Dunes

Easy

4.5

(2562)

6,150

riders

Plum Island Lighthouse – Sandy Point State Reservation loop from Protected Dunes

01:57

28.4km

30m

Cycling

Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: July 2, 2026

Tips

Temporary access restrictions

Includes segments with temporary access restrictions.

After 2.33 km for 111 m

Residents only

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

111 m

Plum Island Lighthouse

Highlight • Monument

By the end of the 1700s shipping into the Merrimack River was increasing and fires were lit on Plum Island to aid boats. Beacons were erected in 1783 and the first two lighthouses in 1788. These were improved over the years and eventually automated in 1951.

Today, the lighthouse is owned by the friends of Plum Island light. It's occasionally open to the public.

Tip by

2.38 km

Plum Island Beach

Highlight • Beach

A big sandy beach on the sand spit, Plum Island. The area was created by the ocean currents and the combination of the Parker and Merrimack rivers.

Tip by

2.46 km

Bay City Trail northern terminus

Highlight • Trail

Plum Island Beach is the northern terminus of the approximately 230-mile long Bay City Trail. There is no parking or facilities at this trailhead, so if you need parking or a restroom, you can go to the Parker
River National Wildlife Refuge’s Visitor Center, which is only a short walk away.

Tip by

2.49 km

Plum Island - Newburyport

Highlight • Beach

Plum Island is a long very thin barrier island with a marsh on the back side of it. Most of it is a national wildlife refuge that's literally "for the birds". This picture is showing the beach which is accessible from the northern end of the island. Further north there is a neighborhood and another beach with a lighthouse. At the far southern tip is Sandy Point state park which is also a lovely beach. Besides the beach, or birding, there isn't much of a reason to visit

Tip by

2.90 km

Birdwatching at Sunset Drive and Refuge Road

Highlight • Natural

Great spot for Bird Watching and Photography

Tip by

3.11 km

Amelia Little Saltmarsh

Nature Reserve

7.57 km

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Highlight • Natural

14.3 km

Sandy Point State Reservation

Highlight • Beach

Sandy Point State Reservation lies at the southern end of Plum Island, accusable only by sea or along the one road accessed from the north. The reservation consists of a sandbar and wetland habitat. It's common to see sharks and sometimes seals from the beach, so maybe don't swim.

Tip by

19.1 km

Plum Island

Highlight (Segment) • Beach

Plum Island is a barrier island formed by the complex coastal currents and the Parker river flowing in behind it. It's named after the beach plum shrubs that grow here and the purple colour of the sand caused by garnet sand. There is one road along the island, accessed from the north. It's a fun ride to the end, but has to be an out and back. There are gravel trails to make a loop but nothing for a road bike.

Tip by

28.1 km

Protected Dunes

Nature Reserve

28.4 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

23.6 km

4.66 km

105 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

16.7 km

8.17 km

1.96 km

1.51 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Today

Wednesday 26 August

25°C

16°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Plum Island Lighthouse – Sandy Point State Reservation loop from Protected Dunes

Plum Island Lighthouse

Plum Island Beach

Bay City Trail northern terminus

Plum Island - Newburyport

Birdwatching at Sunset Drive and Refuge Road

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Sandy Point State Reservation

Plum Island

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