Norwottuck Rail Trail.
Posted by: 
WN1E
N 42° 20.115 W 072° 37.304
18T E 695930 N 4689739
The Norwottuck Rail Trail is a 10 mile rail trail that follows the old Boston and Maine rail line from Northampton, MA to the Belchertown, MA line.
Waymark Code: WM4TDY
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 09/27/2008
Views: 27
This is the Northampton trail head for 10 mile long Norwottock Rail Trail. As you begin traveling east you will need to cross the Connecticut River. This is done by moving across the 1,400 foot truss bridge that one time carried trains between Northampton and Boston. One of its more famous passengers was Northampton resident, Massachusetts Governor, and U.S. President Calvin Coolidge.
Once you have crossed the river you will be in Hadley, MA. While riding through Hadley you will pass by many farms and and the Hampshire Mall. After leaving Hadley you will enter Amherst and will pass just south of the town center and through part of the Amherst College campus. The path then turns more wooded with some beaver ponds and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
There are also trail heads with parking at Station Road in Amherst, Warren Wright Road in Amherst and behind the Hampshire Mall in Hadley.
Over the years this trail has grown considerably. There is now a spur that leaves the trail in Hadley and travels to the heart of the University of Massachusetts campus. Another addition is nearly finished that will connect the original trail head with the center of Northampton. Thus in the near future it will be possible to travel by bike, along the rail trail, from several of the local colleges without having to deal with vehicle traffic.
Country: United States
State/Province/etc.: Massachusetts
Trail Start (town): Northampton
Trail Finish (town): Amherst
Trail Length: 10
Trail Surface: Paved
Fees: no
Internet Link(s):
http://www.hadleyonline.com/railtrail/
Pack Animals Allowed: Not Listed
Rail-to-Trail Sign: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
A Trail Review
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