Part of the richness of the Harborwalk is its variety, reflecting the various activities and urban textures of adjacent land.  In places, the HarborWalk extends into maritime industrial areas, allowing visitors to observe at close range working port operations.  In others, Harborwalkers can enjoy a swim, go fishing, visit over forty parks and a dozen museums, or sample the latest foodie destination restaurant.

The Harborwalk connects to a number of inland trails and parks, including the Emerald NecklaceCharles River EsplanadeRose Kennedy Greenway, Freedom TrailSouth Bay Trail and East Boston Greenway. Please note that, with the exception of wheelchairs, the Harborwalk is a non-motorized pathway.  Bicycles are welcome on the portion of the Harborwalk from the Neponset River Greenway to Castle Island State Park.  North of Castle Island, however, pedestrian traffic becomes heavier and bicyclists should move to bike lanes.

 

By the Numbers:

  • 43 Miles of the Boston Harborwalk. Stretching from East Boston to Dorchester, the Harborwalk affords public access to a complex estuary with a rich history and wide-ranging present-day uses.
  • 8 Boston Harborwalk neighborhoods: East Boston, Charlestown, North End, Wharf District, Seaport District, Fort Point Channel, South Boston, and Dorchester
  • 9 Public beaches along the Harborwalk
  • 91 Refers to Chapter 91 of the Massachusetts General Laws, created to promote and protect the public’s use of tidelands and other waterways in the Commonwealth.
  • 1866 Chapter 91 becomes law. Based on Massachusetts Bay Colony ordinances of the 1640s, today it is the oldest law of its type in the nation.
  • 1984 The Harborwalk begins to take shape under Mayor Raymond L. Flynn’s administration.
  • 356 Individual properties along the Harborwalk. Owners include the City of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the federal government and dozens of private landowners.
  • 2014 Friends of the Boston Harborwalk (FBHW) formed
  • 16 Harborwalk tours hosted by FBHW in 2017
  • 182 Volunteers who participated in FBHW-sponsored clean-ups along portions of the Harborwalk during 2017

Compiled by the Friends of the Boston Harborwalk, a group of volunteers dedicated to enhancing enjoyment of Boston’s Harborwalk.