Explore the best rated trails in Gloucester, MA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Heritage Trail (NH) and Swampscott Rail Trail . With more than 89 trails covering 456 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.
The Methuen Rail Trail was beautiful, but short. Strongly recommend it if in the area.
To extend the ride, we connected to the Spicket River Greenway.
We only went half way, into Lawrence.
Spicket River Greenway trail was filled with homeless people, trash / litter, and bad smells. We felt VERY unsafe and turned around.
Not Recommended
Follows the route of the Boston Marathon, including Heartbreak Hill. Very pleasant and easily accessible from Boston, Brookline and western suburbs. Most of the route is completely separated from cars on Commonwealth Ave. Lots of places to stop for refreshments and it's a short detour on Center St.'s restaurants.
Just did this trail today from Range Road in Windham to Derry. This is a great trail and was surprisingly not that busy for July 3rd. One tiny observation, we attempted to start at the Willow St. parking area in Salem across from Dodge Grain. Things have changed there since the Rail Trail map was done, there is no parking anywhere there now. Some company has signs saying non-company business parkers will be towed. Thus we went north. However, it looks like there is an empty lot at the Main St. - Central St. intersection across from the Depot Museum in Salem. It looks to be safe to park there and the rail trail is a few steps away.
Ok, I recently purchased a ‘24 Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 axs gravel bike. This section of trail is absolutely amazing. Roughly 26.3 miles round trip from West Boylston to Rutland. Starting in West Boylston, Ma you head west. The trail is hard packed dirt. Smoother than most roads in Mass! ¿ No, seriously! Just be careful, this section up to the I-190 bridges, there’s usually a lot of traffic. Especially people with doggos. Some more cognizant than others. But once you cross under the bridges, no dogs are allowed and the traffic thins out. The best section is at the parking lot on Mill St - Holden. It’s packed gravel and as wide a road. It meanders up to the mail Trail and is packed gravel all the way until you hit construction on the trail. So much fun!!!
Not even really a rail trail. You are biking under double electric lines. There is no posting at the Pond Street entrance. Also, a quarter mile in, there is a no trespassing sign right on the trail so you have to take a longer loop around on surface streets to get back under the power lines. Not scenic at all. I've done about 18 trails throughout MA and NH and this is the worst trail I have been on. Why is this even listed here?
This trail is very near our home. We’ve watched it evolve since we used to walk along the railroad tracks. It has taken a long time to develop, but we love it and appreciate the improvements that keep coming. We walk and bike there often. Looking forward to when we can bike all the way to Somerville on one end and Nahant on the other tx Bike To the Sea!!!
Just did this trail today with my wife and 2 friends. We're all in our 70s. We had fun but were taken by surprise when we hit the end... the trail just ends and it's necessary to ride back a hundred yards to a road to get off the trail.
We plodded along the Lynnway to the traffic circle at Nahant Road then rode south along Nahant Beach to the Tides restaurant for beer, fried clams, and mussels. On the way back after lunch we rode on the hard-packed beach back to the traffic circle then worked our way back to the Northern Strand Community Trail back to where we parked at Rivergreen Park in Everett. We had too much sun and the rush hour was approaching so we skipped the ride over to the Encore Boston Harbor Casino.
The marshes were an unexpected surprise in this densely-populated area. We visited America's largest model train store. And the aroma of coffee and baked bread was so welcome.
Watch out for the electric scooters. The people riding them go too fast (and they don't wear helmets).
The reason I gave four stars and not five is the many road crossings and traffic lights. We found it helps to press the button to cross.
I decided to bike this trail just to see if there was a nice plus that would offset its shortness. Alas, there was not. Yes, the surface was excellent but the entire way high brush prevented any sighting of the surrounding dunes, ocean or potential wildlife. I was there at high tide so could not verify the existence of a visible 1872 shipwreck at low tide near one of the beaches.
We have been riding this trail for at least seven years. I am surprised to be the first reviewer. Topsfield Linear Common trail is one of the most consistently scenic trails I have ridden in eastern Massachusetts. At some point it merges with the Danvers Rail Trail so maybe most of the reviews are there. On Saturday, we parked in Topsfield Center as usual, across from St. Rose of Lima Church (that is the easiest way to find the parking lot via GPS) and decided to go north, which in the past was not at all finished and became quickly impassable. But to our surprise, work had been done on this part of the trail since we last checked, so we were able to ride the full two miles to the end in Boxford. You can't go any further because Rte. 95 is in front of you. In Topfield, it is still a narrow packed dirt trail, but the grass on both sides has been mowed. When you cross over to Boxford, the trail becomes small gravel. At the very end, for a short distance, it reverts to dirt track.
We returned to Topsfield and rode south. You pass the fairgrounds, then the Ipswich River, and The Wenham-Danvers swamp, which has a lovely .3 mile scenic scenic boardwalk through the swamp. We were probably on the Danvers trail by now. We went as far as the playground which purports to be in Wenham, and has a place to refill your water bottle as well as equipment for kids.
The part of the trail from here to the end of the Danvers trail is, to my mind, not so scenic, so I have stopped riding it.
Smooth paved rail trail, from start to finish. Park at Walmart, for ez access. Saw some turtles, squirrels, and big fat bunny ¿. Friendly people walking, bike riding, and an elderly lady on a mobility scooter. FUN!!!
Trail is well maintained and great for walking/running or biking. It’s all paved and cuts across residential areas of Rockland and Abington. The trail is mostly shaded by trees. Very pleasant
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
