Assabet River Rail Trail :
Massachusetts
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Description:
The Assabet River Rail Trail provides a forested escape from the surrounding urban bustle. Traveling 5.6 miles (with plans to expand it to 12 miles, the trail connects the towns of Hudson and Marlborough, and parallels the scenic Assabet River. The trail crosses the Assabet River five times, the last crossing on a refurbished, historical wrought iron railroad bridge. The 12-foot-wide corridor makes an excellent cycling route-just take care maneuvering between bollards located at the intersection of trails and roads; they are closer together than most.
The trail begins along Route 62 in Hudson, marked by a trailside, restored, 1921 blue caboose across the road from an ice-cream store. Look for the trailhead parking area.
Passing through downtown Hudson, the trail weaves through the awkward three-way intersection of Villa do Porto Boulevard, Broad Street, and the South Street extension. Returning to the rail corridor, you'll cross a wooden bridge, followed by more trailhead parking on your right. The forested trail here provides a welcome buffer from the surrounding residential and urban landscape.
At mile 2.4, you'll cross the Marlborough town line through a tunnel. The onward trail skirts a main road north, passing the Boston Scientific medical research and corporate center before reaching Fitchburg Street. Be careful at this intersection, as there are no bike lanes and the traffic light cycle doesn't allow much time to cross.
Beyond the crossing, there are no bike lanes. Look for the trail sign after the intersection, and you will find yourself leaving the traffic behind. As the path diverges from the road, the adjacent, landscaped swathes on either side of the route shield trail users from the busy urban environment. Side trails connect to the Assabet along this stretch.
Eventually, the trail will extend to South Acton along the Marlborough Branch Railroad corridor, which connected the Fitchburg and Massachusetts Central railroad lines. The five communities along the corridor are working together to develop the rail-trail.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the Wilkins Street trailhead in Hudson, take Interstate 495 to State Route 62 toward Hudson. Once in town, continue through the rotary to the parking lot on Wilkins Street.
To reach trailhead parking in Marlborough, take I-495 to State Route 20/Granger Boulevard toward Marlborough. Turn left on State Route 85/Bolton Street, left on Union Street, then left again on Hudson Street. The parking lot is across from Kelleher Field and Jefferson Street.
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Reviews: [2 trail ratings]
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Beautiful trail, but more of a grade than most rail trails
By kmartakos in January, 2012
The 5.6 mile length of this trail makes it perfect for a short afternoon ride. Excellent surface of fairly new pavement on the entire trail. Fairly scenic with a few very nice vistas, and rest areas with benches at several points. Just be aware the the trail is downhill all the way from Marlborough to Hudson. I started in Marlborough, and the grade didn't seem that steep as I was heading out. On the the return trip, I realized that even a moderate grade can be pretty demanding when you're climbing it for 5 miles without any level breaks. Maybe next time I'll start in Hudson, and get my work out on the way out, then enjoy the downhill coast on the return trip.
Assabet River Rail Trail website
By dpower in October, 2010
The friends-of-the-trails for the Assabet River Rail Trail is http://www.arrtinc.org/
Question about Website directions
By clundberg in September, 2010
You need to make sure you type your address in the space provided before getting the directions to the trail
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Testing driving the new trail !
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Marlborough to Acton
Counties: Middlesex
Trail Length: 5.6 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt
Trail Activities: Bike, Inline Skating, Wheelchair Accessible, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6015946

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Guidebook: Learn more about other New England rail-trails in RTC's New England Guidebook.
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