Always Wear A Helmet

Sakonnet Point Ramble

The Best Bike Rides in New England
Paul Thomas – Edited by Paul Angiolillo

Tiverton – Little Compton – Sakonnet Point -- Tiverton

In southeastern Rhode Island, country lanes lace the 4-mile-wide strip of salt marshes, farms, and woods lying between the broad Sakonnet River and the Massachusetts border.  This is Rhode Island’s flatter self; the barely rolling landscape contrasts with the wooded hill and valley country west of Narragansett Bay.  This ramble hugs the Sakonnet River’s eastern shore from the town of Tiverton to Sakonnet Point, an undeveloped, scenic spot that juts out into the sea.   The route turns inland just long enough to pass through the village of Little Compton—by most accounts, the prettiest in the state.

Pedaling past expansive wetlands and pastures, one would never know that this is the nation’s smallest and most densely populated state. The ramble starts just off Route 77, a mile south of Tiverton, where a small bridge crosses the neck of Nannaquaket Pond.  Fishermen often drop their lines here, where the currents carry their hoped-for prey through a narrow channel out to the river.  From here Nannaquaket Road leads past gracious homes situated on a ridge between the pond and the Sakonnet River.

Following a short stretch along Route 77, the ride turns back toward the river, passing through the Seapowet Wildlife Management Area.  Great blue herons are often spotted feeding in these wetlands.  The well-paved course crosses a one-lane wooden bridge over one of the Sakonnet River’s many tidal inlets.  The open landscape has broad views south toward the mouth of the Sakonnet, where it empties into Rhode Island Sound. 

Little Compton has a white frame church at one end of its traditional New England green.  The green, the general store, and a neighboring restaurant are the focus of the town’s day-to-day activity.  You’ll also pass the Sakonnet Vineyards in Little Compton on Route 77.  It offers public tours (401-635-8486).

The route continues on Route 77S to its end at Sakonnet Point.   Stop to take in the ocean views on three sides; then return along Route 77 and Neck and Nannaquaket roads to Tiverton.

The Basics

Start:  Tiverton, located just south of Fall River, Massachusetts.  From I-195 between Providence and New Bedford, Massachusetts, turn onto Route 24S to Tiverton.  Off Route 77 just a mile south of town, take a right onto Nannaquaket Road. Just over the short bridge on the right side is a small unpaved parking area that you’ll share with local fishermen. 

Length:  28.7 or 12.3 miles

Terrain:  Gently rolling coastal roads.

Food:  Olga’s Cup and Saucer Bakery at Walker’s Roadside Stand between Tiverton and Little Compton at 8.4 miles. General store in Little Compton at 10.8 miles.  Near the end of the ride, at 20.6 miles, Tiverton Four Corners consists of little else but Gray’s Ice Cream and the general store.  There is no food at Sakonnet Point.

Traffic / Safety: This is a highly safe ride.  The only trafficked merge is onto Route 77 south of Little Compton.

Miles and Directions:  

This company has published a number of other biking books. Check out your local bookstore or contact them for availability.

This company has published a number of other biking books. Check out your local bookstore or contact them for availability.