Norwottuck Rail Trail

InLine Skating in Greater Boston

Terrain

Long and gentle hills

Surface

Smooth

Scenery

Tree-lined and open farm land

Auto Traffic

None

Pedestrian Traffic

Moderate

Distance

8.5 miles

Amherst/Hadley/Northampton

The Norwottuck Rail Trail is an 8.5 mile path that links Northampton, Hadley, and Amherst. It follows the former Boston and Maine Railroad. Although the trail is about a one and one-half hour drive from Boston, it is well worth the trip. The path crosses the Connecticut River and the historic Hadley Common, and it touches the edge of Amherst College. Amherst and Northampton are both eclectic communities that offer a wide assortment of interesting bookstores, restaurants, and cultural activities. You can combine your skate with an outing to one of these interesting towns. The trail is similar to the Minuteman Rail Trail except that the path is narrower and the scenery more varied and rural.

How to Get There

To get to Amherst, Hadley or Northampton, take Rte. 2 west out of Boston to Rte. 202 south. Follow 202 for ten miles to Pelham. Turn west at Pelham corner to Amherst Center (about 3 miles). You may also travel west on Rte. 9 or take the Mass Pike to Rte. 91 and head north. Parking is available at Elwell State Park in Northampton, Mountain Farms Mall on Rte. 9 in Hadley, and Station Road in South Amherst.

Where to Skate

If you begin your skate at Elwell State Park, you will first cross the Connecticut River. This is the largest river in New England and flows for more than 410 miles from northern New Hampshire to Long Island Sound. The path then continues through open farmland, with Mt. Toby to the south (on your left) and Sugarbush mountain to the north (on your right). As you make your way east through open farmland, keep your eyes and ears open for red tail hawk. The path continues through historic Hadley Common. As you approach Amherst, the trail will cross over two small tunnels made of large concrete blocks. These are cattle crossings, made when the railroad was originally constructed. It then passes through several conservation lands, through wetlands and the Lawrence Swamp Conservation area until it ends at the Station Road parking lot.

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Disclaimer

Printing of this page for personal use is not restricted. The use of this page for any commercial endeavor requires prior written approval and may involve some financial consideration. All material copyright 2000 by InLine Club of Boston. Reproduction of this page without this Disclaimer in its entirety is forbidden.

The materials provided here are used at one's own risk; injuries do occur while skating. By providing these materials, InLine Club of Boston and the authors makes no implicit or explicit guarantee that you will not be injured while skating at these or any other locations. Skaters should wear appropriate protective equipment including a helmet at all times and should have developed plans for what to do in the event they suddenly need to obtain medical assistance.

The ICB makes no guarantees that the information provided herein is completely accurate or current. If you know of any discrepencies, please notify us so that we may correct them.