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Lanesborough, Cheshire, and Adams 413 442-8928. The Ashuwillticook Rail Trail is a former railroad corridor converted into a 10-foot wide paved universally accessible path. The Ashuwillticook Rail Trail runs parallel to Route 8 through the towns of Cheshire, Lanesborough and Adams, Massachusetts. The southern end of the Trail begins at the entrance to the Berkshire Mall off Rte. 8 in Lanesborough and travels 11 miles north to the center of Adams. Parking lots and restrooms are available along the way. The Trail passes through the Hoosac River Valley, between Mt. Greylock and the Hoosac Mountains. Cheshire Reservoir, the Hoosac River, and associated wetland communities flank much of the trail offering outstanding views and abundant wildlife. The word Ashuwillticook (ash-oo-will-ti-cook) is from the Native American name for the south branch of the Hoosic River and literally means "at the in-between pleasant river," or in common tongue, "the pleasant river in between the hills." The name was adopted for the trail as a way to reconnect people to local history and the natural environment.
Damon Rd. Northampton 413 586-8706 ext. 12. The Norwottock Rail Trail is an 8.5 mile path linking Northampton, Hadley, and Amherst along the former Boston and Main Railroad right-of-way. The path's level terrain provides safe passage for pedestrians, wheelchairs, joggers, skaters, bicyclists, and cross-country skier of all ages and abilities. Motorized vehicles and horses are prohibited. Both ends of the path offer free parking for trail users - Elwell State Park on Damon Road in Northampton and Station Road in South Amherst. Public restrooms are available at the parking area at Elwell Recreation Area.
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Ayer, Groton, Pepperell and Dunstable 978-597-8802. The Nashua River Rail Trail is a former railroad right of way that travels 11 miles through the towns of Ayer, Groton, Pepperell and Dunstable. The trail offers a 10-foot wide paved surface for the entire length, and a five-foot wide gravel equestrian path for seven miles of the trail from Groton Center to the New Hampshire boarder in Dunstable. The entire trail is open to pedestrians, bicyclists, inline skaters, wheelchairs, and cross-country skiers. The Nashua River Rail Trail travels along a varied landscape, offers numerous scenic overlooks, opportunities to see wildlife and has several resting stops. The trail is particularly attractive during fall foliage season. The Ayer trailhead offers access to commuter rail service between Boston and Fitchburg.
Curzon Mill Rd. Newburyport 978 465-7223. The former Moseley family estate on the Merrimack River, this park features 19th century gardens and plantings, rolling meadows, towering pines, and one of the largest naturally-occurring stands of mountain laurel in Massachusetts. Most breathtaking are the ornamental trees and masses of azaleas and rhododendrons that bloom in May and June. An exquisite place for walking, biking, horseback riding and informal picnics. Special Use Permits may be obtained for wedding ceremonies and similar programs. Cultural events are a regular feature during the summer. During the winter a portion of the park is off limits due to roosting bald eagles, but the remainder provides excellent cross country skiing and winter walks. The Parking Fee at Maudslay State Park is $2.00. Annual Passes are available for purchase.
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Boston Area Bike Paths
Turtle Pond Parkway, West Roxbury, and Hyde Park 617-698-1802. Open year-round, dawn to dusk. Enneking, Dedham and Turtle Pond Parkways wind through extensive tree covered hills, valleys, rock-outcroppings and wetlands; past Turtle Pond and into Hyde Park. Stony Brook Reservation contains 475 acres of scenic landscapes and a variety of recreational facilities. Ten to twelve miles of hiking trails and bicycle paths meander through the quiet, forested portion of the reservation. Sunfish and Perch swim in the fresh waters of Turtle Pond, an easily accessible spot for fishing. In the Reservation's southern section are soccer and baseball fields, tennis courts, picnic areas , an ice skating rink, and a pool. A special feature is the John F. Thompson Center, New England's first recreational facility designed specifically to accommodate handicapped visitors. Reservations for the Thompson Center can be made by calling 617-361-6161.
Medford, Somerville, and Everett 617-727-5380. Open year round, dawn to dusk. The banks of the Mystic River are almost entirely publicly owned, from the Amelia Earhart Dam at the mouth of the Mystic Lakes, making it one of the Commonwealth's best protected streams. The river has been much altered since the 1800's when its shores were largely saltmarsh.
Neponset District 617-727-5290. Open year-round, dawn to dusk. The Lower Neponset River Trail follows the path of a former railroad bed along the shore of the Neponset River. Traversing a rich variety of historical and ecological contexts, the 2.4 mile path serves to link the Neponset area to the larger network of MDC trails. The trail currently stretches from the historic Port Norfolk neighborhood in Dorchester, through Pope John Paul II Park, across Granite Avenue through the Neponset Marshes, and through the Lower Mills area to Central Avenue in Milton. In the future connections are planned from Central Avenue to Mattapan and from Port Norfolk to Commercial Point, linking to existing trails to Castle Island.
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Cape Cod Bike Paths
Dennis and Wellfleet 508 896-3491. The Cape Cod Rail Trail follows a former railroad right-of-way for 22 miles through the towns of Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham and Wellfleet. Its paved surface, few hills, and well-marked automobile crossings make it ideal for cyclists. The trail has a wide unpaved shoulder on one side to accommodate horseback riding, walkers, and runners. There are many opportunities to get off the trail and visit a beach. Food and water are also readily available and public restrooms can be found at Nickerson State Park, Salt Pond Visitors Center at Cape Cod National Seashore and the National Seashore Headquarters. If you do not have a bike, bike rentals are available at many points along the way. For people with disabilities, a limited number of hand-cycles are available for rent at specific bike concessions. For more information call Nickerson State Park at 508-896-3491.
This trail loops around the Province Lands, passing through pine forests, sandy dunes, and low-lying cranberry bogs. There are connections to both Herring Cove and Race Point beaches, as well as Bennett Pond. Enjoy a nice afternoon bike ride and then cool off at the beach!
Difficulty: Advanced-Intermediate; steep hills, sharp turns, tunnels.
Located directly off the Cape Cod Rail Trail in Brewster, Nickerson State Park contains 8 miles of dedicated bike trails. Offering easy access to picnic area and campsites, this hilly and scenic network provides an enjoyable ride through beautiful pine and fir tree forests around ponds, lakes and bogs. It’s a great opportunity to see Nature in its purest form within a unique coastal woodlands ecosystem.
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Rhode Island Bike Paths
The Blackstone River Bikeway is the state's second-longest bike path, with 18.2 miles of bikeway - which includes 11.6 miles of path between Cumberland and Woonsocket and segments of on and off-road bikeway heading south to India Point Park in Providence and north to the Massachusetts border.
The path follows the Blackstone River wherever possible, including on the tow paths of the historic Blackstone Canal. This highly scenic bikeway crosses the river many times, offering views of waterfalls, marshes and wildlife. Many old mills line the river too.
Providence and Bristol 401-253-7482. The East Bay Bike path is a 14.5 mile, 10 foot wide, ribbon of asphalt that provides a safe place for unobstructed cycling. Users can enjoy the sights, sounds and smells as the path takes them by coves and marshes, over bridges, and through State Parks. This Bike Path's southern tip will eventually link-up to the Blackstone Bikeway (presently under construction). The path stretches from Providence to Bristol along the abandoned railroad line. For the greater part of it's length, it passes along or near the shore of Narragansett Bay.