Reformatory Branch Trail:
Massachusetts
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Description:
The rugged and beautiful Reformatory Branch Trail meanders more than 4 miles through three natural areas: Elm Brook Conservation Area, Mary Putnam Webber Wildlife Preserve, and Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. It is the perfect route for escaping the city to rediscover nature.
Westbound from the Bedford Depot Park trailhead on Railroad Avenue, you'll first reach Elm Brook Conservation Area. Its 19.3 acres of protected wetlands and floodplain offer additional biking and hiking trails through an enchanting red maple forest.
Almost immediately after leaving the conservation area, you'll see signs for Mary Putnam Webber Wildlife Preserve. This 20-acre parcel is also mostly wetland and acts as a wildlife corridor for the many species that live within the surrounding wetland and woodland habitats.
At Concord Turnpike, the trail crosses a gravel parking lot and continues across the street behind the guardrail; it's a very narrow path here, but once you descend the small hill, it opens up again to a proper rail-trail. Regrettably, the wooden bridge that carried traffic over the railroad was removed in 1967. Be careful when crossing the busy turnpike, as drivers are not given warning of the trail crossing.
You will quickly arrive at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. This massive freshwater wetland covers more than 3600 acres and stretches 12 miles along the Concord and Sudbury rivers. Birders take note: The National Fish and Wildlife Service, which manages the site, offers an annotated list of the area's 220 avian species. The refuge also shelters white-tailed deer, muskrats, red fox, raccoons, cottontail rabbits, weasels, amphibians, and several nonpoisonous snake species. Bicycles are not permitted on trails within the refuge; to explore, lock your bike to one of several trailside benches and take off on foot.
Back on the main trail, you'll leave natural tranquility behind as you draw closer to Concord. For approximately the last mile of trail, you will cross several roads; the trail ends shortly after crossing Lowell Road at the Concord River. The railroad corridor continues for another 2.5 miles, passing the reformatory for which it was named, but the bridge over the river is now gone.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the Bedford Depot Park trailhead, from Interstate 95/State Route 128, take Exit 31B for State Routes 4/225 north toward Bedford. After 1.1 miles on 225, turn left on Loomis Street. Loomis Street turns into Railroad Avenue; where the road bends to the right, look for the trailhead parking lot. You may park here or in the paved parking lot at the Minuteman Bikeway trailhead back on Loomis Street.
To access the trailhead in Concord, take Interstate 495 to State Route 2 east toward Concord. In town, turn left on State Route 2A east/Elm Street, which soon becomes Main Street. Park in the lot behind the Concord Visitor Center (64 Main Street), then follow the road directly behind the visitor center to the trailhead at Lowell Street.
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Reformatory Trail
By Fletch6 on June 17, 2006
Left Bedford west from Loomis St at the start of the Minuteman.
The start is about 200 yards to the west of the station and not marked. Heads off into the wood at what looks like parking area with porta pottie just before school. Nice single track with about 3 short sections of mud. The first road crossing was confusing and I did not see the path down the the next section. Look just to the right of and behind the gardrail. I did not follow to the end because of high water in the concord river by the North bridge. Thanks to two local riders for leading me thru Concord over to the Battle Trail to return.
Unpaved extension of Minuteman
By Mark on September 04, 2004
"The surface of this trail is really quite smooth except for a few isolated spots with some roots and rocks. It's excellent for hiking, jogging and mountain biking. A side trail leads directly to the Great Meadows parking area and the observation tower. Another side trail leads to the famous cemetery with ""Author's Ridge"" (Thoreau, Hemingway). Also, you can park near the Concord commuter rail station, follow the trail east until it becomes the bikeway, then all the way to Cambridge. From there it's a quick ""T"" ride to Porter Square where you can pick up the commuter rail back to Concord. That's 15 miles total trip, point-to-point."
Begins Where Minuteman Ends
By Tony on October 06, 2002
"If you’ve reached the Minuteman Bikeway’s Bedford trailhead after starting at a point due east and think that’s as far west as the old railroad right-of way will take you, well you’re simply mistaken. You may head west on Railroad Avenue in Bedford, rejoin the right-of-way within a few city blocks, and continue on through to Concord.

With the exception of short paved segment in western Bedford used as an access road to a municipal utility station, the Reformatory Branch Trail is a hard packed dirt surface with many exposed roots, rocks, and old railroad ties in place. Trail width along most of the route is what I would classify as single track; if you’re the type that picks up poison ivy easily, this trail isn’t for you. However, a portion of the trail does cut through a US Government Wildlife Conservation Area and the surface there is much wider. There are a few pretty busy street crossing along the way, none with crosswalks or safety signs.

For the most part views along the trail are limited to heavily wooded areas and the backs of a few homes. The Bedford trailhead is adjacent to an athletic field and the trail terminates in Concord near a gas station/convenience store. Markers posted on trees at several points along the route identify this route a being a piece of the “Bay Circuit Trail” network.

If you have a mountain bike with suspension or a comfortable pair of hiking shoes, this trail should be included on your list of “things to do.”"
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