Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Belchertown, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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2.5 stars. Entered the trail a the far western end on Hancock Rd. near Skatutakee Lake. Biked eastward for several miles. Mixed surface (dirt, cinder, sand & forest floor). This trail is rough and best suited for fat-tire or full-suspension mountain bikes. You could do it with a gravel bike but be ready for a very bumpy ride. Partially buried track ties and roots cover roughly over a 3rd of this segment of the trail. The swamps and brook are absolutely beautiful. There are a few benches for a peaceful stop. The trail has a gentle decline most of the way so be prepared for the uphill on the return trip. Mostly shaded so sunscreen isn't needed but bug spray might be a good idea if stopping for prolonged periods. The bridges are beautiful & well maintained. The signage is discreet & informative. This is a wonderful all season trail that I plan to return to in foliage season. It has a lot of potential but in its current condition it has a LONG way to go to become a destination that will attract tourists & generate $$$ for the local economy.
Pleasant ride on this crushed stone surface, using my hybrid. Very short section that still has rails and ties and requests that bikes go around on the sidewalk, but easily joins back up to the actual trail after about 100 yards. The eastern end terminates in the Squannacook wildlife management area, with walking trails to follow down toward the river. If you are looking for a nice short ride that's under 10 miles total, this is a good one to choose. Stop for a bite at the local diner in Townsend center, or an ice cream.
Great ride. First time on a gravel surface and found it pretty easy going with a few rough spots. It rained the night before and early morning, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Trail was damp but no big puddles. I took in 28 miles of the 40 out and back. Will do it again and try to get the whole distance.
Rode Simsbury down to Plainville. Simsbury to Avon was full of tree root bumps, and lots of branches & trail debris. It's almost as if Simsbury wants to keep cyclists out. ¿ However, Avon and Farmington were great rides, as was Plainville.
Lot's of stops along the way to enjoy the sites. It's a very well maintained small trail
I'd ridden this trail a couple years ago, doing it in small sections, and had found it to be a nice ride with a decent surface, quite reasonable for my older hybrid. I only did about 6 miles today, from Keene southward before turning back, and those couple of detours noted in another review are still in place - taking you out onto the road for short stretches likely to avoid power line work being done.
Rode from Avon, CT to Westfield, MA. Mass section in great shape. CT section is awful. Pavement is split, constant 'ka-thunk', pot holes not marked, just horrendous condition. Where is the CT DOT and our tax dollars? Stay away.
Lot's of stops along the way to enjoy the sites. It's a very well maintained small trail
Other reviews are fair. Lots of starts and stops for a shorter trail, but also some nice lengths and well maintained. Being from the area, I knew what to expect. I had more fun dodging and beeping my horn at bunnies on my night ride, than I did going around children on my day ride. Nice either way.
Tough to do on a mountain bike, unless you're an expert. not maintained at all. I would say an ok hiking trail. But not all that scenic. Not what it's billed to be by a long shot.
This trail was OK. The part along the river and in downtown was scenic and it was paved all the way.
However, it goes along the highway for a while with just a chain link fence as separation, which is not enjoyable at all (east of the gap is not scenic). It also has a lot of tree roots creating speed bumps. Finally, the gap between the river and the rest is significant (& don't take what looks like the most direct route as Pratt & Whittney has a security gate for part, so you can't get through unless employed there).
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