Norwottuck Rail Trail:
Massachusetts
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Description:
Stretching east from Elwell State Park, the 10-mile Norwottuck Rail Trail connects the towns of Northampton, Hadley, and Amherst. Part of the Connecticut River Greenway State Park, the route takes in a variety of landscapes, from rural farmland to residential neighborhoods and light industrial districts.
You'll set out across New England's longest river, the Connecticut, on a magnificent 1492-foot iron bridge. This span parallels Calvin Coolidge Bridge, named for the mayor of Northampton who would become the country's 30th president.
Once you're across the river, look for Mount Holyoke rising in the distance. Approaching Hadley, the trail parallels State Route 9 through farmland. In town, you'll pass the former Hadley railroad station and wind through historic Hadley Commons, where farm animals once grazed.
About 3 miles along, you'll reach a bicycle and inline skate rental shop beside an ice-cream and smoothie bar. A half mile farther, just past the Route 9 underpass, is Pete's Drive-In, which offers a rest area and another chance for ice cream. Beyond it lies Hampshire Mall; shoppers will delight in direct bicycle access to the stores.
After the mall, the trail continues until the Belchertown trailhead, at which point you come to State Route 116. At 116, there is an opportunity to hop off the trail for a short trek north into Amherst, home to the University of Massachusetts and Amherst College. Just shy of downtown, a connector trail leads to the 2-mile UMass bikeway, a student commuter path.
The onward Norwottuck Rail Trail crosses beneath 116 to the Station Road trailhead and Amherst College on the left. Station Road used to mark the end of the trail, but today an extension stretches another mile east along an active rail corridor. Along the way, two trestle bridges carry you over Mill River and East Street, respectively, and you will find connecting trails to the Southeast Street access point and parking lot, as well as to hiking trails. The trail's final stretch skirts wetlands and ponds that promise excellent bird-watching. Along this section, the Caroline Arnold Walking Trail, which has a a bird-blind, can be accessed from the trail.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the Northampton trailhead at Elwell State Park, take Interstate 91 to Exit 19 and continue straight from the ramp onto Damon Road. After about a block, turn right into the trailhead parking lot at Elwell State Park.
Amherst offers a choice of parking locations. Parking is available near the town common and town hall, within easy reach of the Belchertown trailhead at State Route 116. To reach trailhead parking at Southeast Street and Mill Lane, follow State Route 9 to Southeast Street. Turn right and proceed about a mile. The Station Road trailhead lies a mile farther east; follow Southeast Street to Station Road and turn left into the parking lot.
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Reviews: [5 trail ratings]
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Very pretty but a trail in need of much better care
By olavvi in October, 2011
This could be a fantastic trail. It has beautiful views of large fields, forests and woods, mountains, swamps, rivers, brooks, as well as at least one lovely old New England village common. But the trail itself needs lots of work. There are literally hundreds of depressions and ridges, some quite high and potentially dangerous, that make this an unpleasant ride for anyone on a road bike or a bike with high tire pressure - anything above 90-100 lbs. A mountain bike would work, but even that I would have doubts about. So, it gets 2-1/2 stars at best. Resurface it and it will be superb. (The Northhampton side of the Connecticut river has been recently resurfaced and is fine - except it's only 1/2 to 3/4 miles long!)

Kudos to the people who marked many of the bumps and drop-offs with yellow paint. October's not the best time to see the warnings, however, since the leaves cover a lot of them.
Pros and Cons
By ErikKopp in September, 2011
I rode this trail on 9/5/11. On the positive side, there are beautiful, pastoral views in spots; it's also nicely wooded and shaded in areas -- probably beautiful in the fall. There is a unique bike bridge at one end, and nearby there's a water fountain and air pump station. On the negative side, the trail is narrower than most, needs to have new lines painted, and has considerable bumps (it wasn't too bad for a hybrid bike with shocks). Also, the trail is made with recycled glass, and you can see the shiny pieces of glass embedded in the asphalt -- not the most comforting picture. I road the entire trail up and bike twice to justify the drive and the gas. Would probably grade this a B-.
A Mixed Bag for Inline Skating
By scullen246 in April, 2011
I've been to this trail twice with my inline skates, both times in April of 2011. It was pleasant enough, but I don't think I'll go back - at least not with my skates. In the Amherst area (I can't speak for the other end), the trail is cracked in many places which presents a problem for inline skaters. If you want to get out and enjoy a leisurely ride in the fresh air, by all means go; the cracks aren't enough to completely prevent you from skating. But if you're interested in skating quickly enough to get your heart rate up and get a good work out, you may end up falling and getting hurt instead.

This seems like a great trail for walking or biking, and has a few unpaved foot paths that branch off from it. There's plenty of shade and it seems like a safe area for people to enjoy the fresh air. I've seen all sorts of people including elderly couples walking their dogs, young mothers pushing strollers, and families with children riding their bikes. The atmosphere is very pleasant and the people are friendly. It's a shame that there are so many cracks, but I'm more of a fitness skater than a recreational skater.
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