Discover great places to eat along these MetroWest bike paths

Massachusetts was recently ranked No. 1 by the League of American Bicyclists for being a bicycle-friendly state. Partnerships between the state government and city and town leaders have led to encouraging more people to hit the trails on two wheels and improving infrastructure. And although protected bike lanes are not available statewide, there are a few off-street trails that offer access to dining, entertainment and exercise.

“In addition to providing a healthy opportunity to get outdoors, increasing safe biking opportunities is an important part of the commonwealth’s climate-friendly transportation strategy,” said state Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides, in a statement.

Throughout the state, more than half of all bicycle trips cover less than 3 miles — a little over 15 minutes — and Massachusetts has implemented capital programs and grants to promote bicycling and street safety.

Here are some nearby trails suitable for bicyclists that are easy to try:

Assabet River Rail Trail

At 9.2 miles, the Assabet River Rail trail runs along the old Marlborough branch of the Fitchburg Railroad and has been converted into a paved, multimodal path. Much of the path is along the Assabet River and passes through Marlborough, Hudson, Stow, Maynard and Acton.

Where to park: On Sasseville Way in Marlborough or at the East Hudson Trailhead along Wilkins Street.

Where to eat: The rail trail passes along the edge of downtown Hudson where there are plenty of sit-down dining options such as the Rail Trail Flatbread Co. or Medusa Brewing Company. At the Marlborough end, Lost Shoe Brewing and Roasting company offers coffee including their old-fashioned, cold brew coffee with maple syrup and spiced bitters topped with a cherry and locally brewed beer.

Pack a picnic: On the Hudson stretch, the newly opened Hushed Willow offers gourmet sandwiches and charcuterie like the Gabagool, with ham, prosciutto, Capocollo and salami or the twisted caprese with balsamic glaze, tomato and burrata on ciabatta bread. Firehouse Seafood, also in Hudson, offers steak and pork loin sandwiches and seafood platters that can be packed up for a meal along the Assabet.

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Holliston Rail Trail

The Holliston Rail Trail covers almost 7 miles along the Milford and Sherborn lines. It’s another segment of a trail that will run through Framingham, Sherborn, Holliston, Milford and Hopkinton. The Holliston trail has historical features like the Phipps Tunnel, dating  to 1847, and the Bogastow Brook Viaduct, originally constructed in 1846.

Where to park: On Central Street in Holliston and near Blair Square, off Front Street.

Where to eat: One end of the trail is near Milford Pizza Palace, whose offerings include  vegan sausage and chicken on pies like the Vegan BBQ Chick’n Pizza as well as gluten-free options. At the other end is Bazels Pizza & Subs in Holliston, which features house specials including the new Bill the Builder Pizza — teriyaki grilled chicken, jalapenos, mushrooms and onions — as well as the Bazel’s House Special with pepperoni, sausage, salami and hamburger as well as mushrooms, onions, peppers and olives.

Pack a picnic: For early risers and book lovers, the trail passes by Holliston’s Coffee Haven, a combination coffee shop and bookstore that’s been in town since 1997. It offers iced coffees, salads and sandwiches and a variety of breakfast options, including the Here Comes the Boom (with bacon, egg, cheese, spinach) and Boom Boom Sauce, or try the Fire Veggie Wrap (hummus, avocado, tomato and red onion with veggies and hot sauce).

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Cochituate Rail Trail

The trail stretches from Framingham's Saxonville neighborhood to Natick Center. The shortest of the three rail trails in MetroWest, it covers 4 miles — the final section in Natick was completed last September. As the name suggests, part of the trail winds along the Cochituate Brook and the shore of Lake Cochituate, giving riders easy access to the Natick Mall.

Where to park: The Framingham end of the trail has a parking lot. Parking is available in Natick on Mechanic Street and Chrysler Road.

Where to eat: A half-mile away from the Framingham end is the Saxonville Mills building overlooking Sudbury Pond, including the Saxonville Mills Café & Roastery. The café features iced and hot coffee drinks, as well as smoothies like coconut lemonade and passion fruit. It also offers sandwiches like bacon egg and cheese on bagels, ciabatta or croissant, as well as a wide array of baked goods like empanadas, Buenolo (which are fried cheese fritters) and sweet and savory croissants.

The trail also zips past Zippity Do Dog, a hot dog and sandwich truck with offerings like the Kelsey Style Sausage, a spicy sausage served with coney sauce and nacho cheese; the Brazilian Dog, with tomato sauce, corn and mayonnaise topped with parmesan and potato sticks; or the Hula Dog which features a topping with a mix of pineapple, barbecue sauce and honey mustard.

Pack a picnic: Just a few minutes' walk from the Natick end is Eli’s Breakfast, Burgers and Brews, which offers a wide selection for dine-in and take out. For breakfast, the G-Force breakfast sandwich features eggs, smoked turkey, bacon and American cheese on a croissant; and the Chrissa Belle features smoked salmon, caper cream cheese and tomato on an everything bagel. Lunch sandwiches include the Gobbler, with smoked turkey, stuffing, spinach and cheddar cheese served on a ciabatta with cranberry mayo; or the Miss Piggy, a burger with cheddar cheese and coleslaw topped with barbecued pulled pork.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Three great options for bicycle trail riding, fun eats west of Boston