Explore the best rated trails in Acton, MA. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Common Pathway and Spicket River Greenway. With more than 113 trails covering 644 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Gorgeous trail to ride a gravel bike from Epping to Fremont (5mi). The Fremont to Derry (rt 28) section is heavily utilized by ATV's and trail bikes, resulting in about 13 miles of loose sand (some areas were about 2" deep) with small oasis's of packed dirt, it's doable - but not pleasant. The last mile from rt 28 to the Windham rail trail is lovely to ride. The Sandown train depot looks to be worth checking out (a museum, open on Saturdays), but they were closed when I went by.
Beautiful section in terms of scenery and access to lakes and ponds. The surface can be challenging. Today, with fairly dry conditions, it could be negotiated with hybrid bikes.
As for rail trails go, this one the cream of the crop. It is very flat and paved. People with narrow tire road bikes will do just fine. I believe it is a mile or so longer then what they say it is.
An odd thing about this trail. When you pull into the parking area on the Nashua end, there is no clear signage that it is the Nashua River Trail. Heading out of the parking lot, on the trail, I noticed the back of the signs marking it as the Nashua Rail Trail . It seems the signage should be on the other side of the trail with the writing of the sign being in front of you.
On the Lowell end of the trail, about the last 2 miles or so, you run parallel to route 495 and cross under Route 3 so the traffic noise is noticeable, but otherwise, a VERY nice trail. Mostly through the woods and with a number of bodies of water along the way, including a beach for you to enjoy. What's almost unbelievable is the condition of the trail as it seems like it must have been just paved as there are practically no bumps, frost heaves or potholes. You'll never set a personal best for speed on this trail as there are a number of crossings, often to just 2 or 3 homes on the other side, so while the chance of traffic is minimal, you'll still need to slow down or stop. That said, a thoroughly enjoyable ride of 30 miles, all the way down and back. Definitely worth checking out!
We started in Douglas, MA, at the parking lot on Rt 12/South St and road westward. The SNETT connects to the Airline trail in E Thompson. We finished at a parking lot on Rt 12/Riverside Rd in Thompson, CT, just south of Acme pond. Round trip was 22.5 miles.
The trail in MA is a mix of conditions and needs some grooming. Still some shallow puddles and wet spots, but all rideable. I recommend a gravel bike or mountain bike, something with at least 45mm tires (my bike). My wife road a hard tail mountain bike with 2.20in tires and had no problems. A front shock is a plus, as the trail had occasional rocky stretches, and a shock will help in those parts.
The trail in CT is in good shape, groomed, and smooth. A mountain bike is not needed on this stretch of the trail, but a bike with 30mm tires or less would not be a good idea for the average rider.
This was my first time at this trail. I took the reviews to heart
and chose to park at the Horgan Elementary School lot (near
some Tennis Courts and the Red Caboose!).
Despite out-of-state plates, I had no challenges parking. No stickers or anything were required and
the parking area felt safe.
I chose to Rollerblade on the trail WEST to the End in Coventry.
The first 2 to 2.5 miles are not-so-pretty. It is very urban...some "small" tent out-croppings
along the right-hand bank of the river -- and very industrial....
I kinda wondered why I was there (though felt safe).
The pavement had some bubbly spots and the wooden bridges are a bit course on Rollerblades (keep your momentum up and you can get right across them...or stop fully and take in the views...)
But after you get past the "urban" areas...the trail West toward Coventry REALLY begins to shine. It does have a gradual upward slope most of the way, but seriously quite doable. The quality of the pavement gets better and better and there was only very minor debris on the path. A VERY good path to Rollerblade!
I chose to Rollerblade on the RIGHT side going in both directions, so as to not have to square off with any fast moving bikes. Everyone on the path was VERY warm and courteous!
The major part of the path through Coventry is truly gorgeous...and well worth the ride!
I confirmed with MANY bikers that the stretch EASTWARD to Cranston is NOT suitable for Rollerbladers...Many of the bikers said that it even stinks for bikes actually!
So, the segment from the Horgan Elementary School to Coventry (sort of going "RIGHT" on the trail if tennis courts are behind you) is the place to go!
Couple more things:
There do appear to be some VERY nice parking areas a bit further into Coventry and one MIGHT be able to skip the first 2-2.5 miles of the trail and park just a tad bit closer toward Coventry....That 2-2.5 miles is kinda "crummy", so you're really not missing anything. I don't know the names of those parking areas -- but did not see any signs saying "Residents Only" or anything.
Also, the GENERAL STORE at the very far end of the trail in Coventry is no longer open...so don't plan on getting water or anything there. There ARE a few gas stations one can see along the trail and the very cute ice-cream shop that many have mentioned, as well!
Lastly -- the trail does end very suddenly, when you reach the end in Coventry and there is a Map/Sign that seems to imply that the trail continues into Connecticut....That apparently is NOT true "yet"...but is being planned.
When you look on the backside of the Granite Mile Markers (heading West), they will IMPLY that that you have like 4 or 5 miles MORE to go, but you will hit the END of the trail at around Mile Marker 4.7 -- so it appears that they FUTURE proofed the Mile Markers and included the distance that WOULD be there if the trail did continue into Connecticut.
Several bikers said that one COULD continue into Connecticut via the very busy looking road. I chose not to, being on Rollerblades.
If you are close to Coventry -- start at the Coventry end and blade/bike/walk/run all the way toward the other end -- and simply stop and turn around when it starts to get "uglier"...the final very, very large wooden bridge may be a place to stop and turn around.
Anyway -- it was a GREAT experience...but that first 2 - 2.5 miles from the Horgan School West toward Coventry is a tragic sort of area...the trail itself is okay, but as you head West, you will see what the 5-Stars are all about!!
Enjoy!
Short biking trail. Here are the adjacent trails at Needham Town Forest https://www.needhamma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2352/Town-Forest-Public-Trail-Map-2009
Nice cool day to ride from the Chaplin area up to Putnam. Beautiful country with few other folks. 16 miles each way. Trail was in good shape with just a few wet areas. Some nice newer bridges and tunnel for bigger road crossings. A few areas with larger gravel. Easy to go from trial into Putnam for food. Also a nice bike shop in Putnam.
My first time on the trail was a great experience. The path is hard packed gravel and wide enough for various types of traffic. Foot and bike traffic. The scenery was nice, but it is early spring. I plan to return in June. The path will be very different with the tree and plants in full bloom.
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