Canalside Trail :
Massachusetts
Trail Map
  • Get Personalized Driving Directions!
  • Find Trail Side Shops with Google Search!
  • See Users’ Geocoded Photos!
  • Get a Print-Friendly Map and Get Outdoors!
Description:
This 3.27 mile trail starting at McClelland Farm Road and heading north on the old NYNH&H RR crosses the Connecticut River near the confluence of the Deerfield and the Connecticut Rivers. The river span here is reported to be one of the oldest still in existence across the Connecticut River. Approximately ½ mile north of the bridge the trail leaves the old railroad right-of-way and travels on side streets to cut over to the Conn. River Power Canal. The northernmost mile of the trail travels on the abandoned rail bed along the Connecticut River Power Canal. It passes the fish ladder and Great Falls Discovery Center and ends at Unity Park in the Village of Turners Falls in Montague, MA.

... Click to read more
... Click to read more
... Click to read more
Reviews: [2 trail ratings]
[View all reviews for this trail]
[register/login to Submit a Review of this Trail]
Nice trail
By jfmcgowan@gmail.com in August, 2011
Rode this trail yesterday with the wife and kids. The trail in in great condition and very well marked. My only complaint related to riding it with kids was there are several blind street crossings right in a row (bridges coming over the canal) where there is quite a bit of traffic. Its hard for motorists to see bike, and bikes to see motorists at these intersections.

The short road section is not too bad, though one of the streets looked a little sketchy alongside some old industrial building that is falling down.
A nice little trail
By keepsmilingparsons in August, 2010
This trail was really enjoyable. It has nice views of the canal, surrounding hills, forest, and a cute bridge over the Conn. River. At the start of the trail there is a nice park with a playground and at the end is a railroad transfer that my kids I know will enjoy!
A short but worthwhile ride
By Fletch6 in December, 2009
Took the grandkids up to ride this short but nice trail in August. We started at McClelland Farm road just across the street from Guilford RR yard.(old B&M)
It starts on a build trail to pick up the Old NYNH&H R.R. branch and then crosses the Conn. river on what is reported to be the oldest RR bridge over the river. In a short distance is used a short section of small streets to get over to the start of the canal section. The ride along the feeder canal for the power plant has lots of wildlife to see. We saw ducks and geese and the other side where the road and the salmon fish research lab is and can be fished. After we passed where the R.R. spur line crossed over to the mills on the west side you get closer to the other side and can see the southworth mill and some others. At the underpass by the fish ladder(you can visit this in the spring when the salmon and others are heading upstream to spawn) you can make a right to visit the Great Falls Discovery Center which is housed within a complex of old mill buildings and includes open habitat exhibits and fish tanks. Admission is free. At the northern end is the Turners Falls dam and Barton's Cove and small park.
Browse Trails by Activity: