Find the top rated horseback riding trails in Belchertown, whether you're looking for an easy short horseback riding trail or a long horseback riding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a horseback riding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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June 6th 2025
The Mrs and I rode this beautiful trail from North Hampton to just short of Belchertown, and back.
The weather was great and the trail is mostly shaded, so the ride was superb.
I'd have no objection to doing it again.
Settle grade difference between start to finish. All paved smooth.No bugs.Crowded with walkers, skaters, and bikers.Windy in the afternoon.
The claim of this being a 61 mile trail is very deceptive. Almost 40 miles of this trail is nearly unrideable except for mountain bikes (and even that would be unpleasant). We are experience riders and were on hybrid bikes with wide tires and front suspension. And while our plan was to cycle 40 miles from Willimantic to E. Hampton, we only did the first 10 mile section from Willimantic to James L. Goodwin State Forest.
The trail started out as just OK, but deteriorated in less than 2 miles. After crossing S. Brook Rd, the trail the trail was extremely gnarly and super overgrown. When we reached Goodwin State Forest, we were so happy to bail out and call it quits! Luckily, we had a SAG vehicle with us so we weren't forced to cycle back over the same awful trail.
Be warned, the entire trail we rode from Willimantic to Goodwin Forest was large, loose gravel, and the scenery is incredibly boring. There are places where the trail is extremely rough. At S. Brook Rd. the trail becomes unrideable, expect by maybe some die-hard mountain bikers. We used our SAG van to pop into other points along the trail from Goodwin to E. Hampton the trail only seemed to get even worse.
Honestly, just a really unpleasant ride.
We (5) Friends Have Biked This Trail in It’s Sections from E. Hampton to Willimantic for Many Years. We Have Always Considered it to be 4-5 Star Rated, (For a Gravel Trail). Since 2015, We Have Switched to E-Bikes which makes the Trail 3x more FUN !! Having the Best of Both Sun & Shady Sections, It Has Only One small Section of about 300’ Near the Start leaving E.Hampton Where it’s sandy & .Loose
rode trail july 28, 25 from Winchendon - slight uphill, going south to Gardner. Adding mile markers would be nice ! and directions at N.Ashburnham Rd to Old Gardner Rd. Newly paved from entrance off
Old Gardner Rd to Gardner town line. Path to avoid watery underpass was paved on one side of street.
It is a great trail for all seasons. Parking available in Ayer, Groton, Pepperell and Nashua
Update to my 8/2024 review: Remains a TOP trail; At northern end easy parking at the Adams Visitor Center; Saw many signs of beaver activity - dams and huts - but no beavers. The Appalachian Trail crosses at Church Road in Cheshire; At southern end I turn back at the Crane Ave. parking area as, in my opinion, there's not much of interest in the remaining mile or so.
I live in Massachusetts about 25 minutes from this trail, my absolute favorite trail is the East Bay bike path, but that is about an hour drive for me, so this is one I frequent more often. I like the length of this ride, and that it is scenic, and more interesting than some of the rail trails that can be kind of boring. I think it is an easy ride, with just a few spots I need to lower my gears. I pack a lunch, snacks, and can be out for a few hours. There is ample parking, 195 Davison Ave Woonsocket is the address I use for WAZE. I have never gone as far as Providence, so I can only review Woonsocket - Lincoln.
I took a ride on a gravel bike from Putnam to Willimantic and back yesterday. I crossed the bridge in Putnam from Kennedy Drive (a nice paved path there along the north shore of the river!) to pick up the Air Line, which my map app shows as starting there. Though there were some short bits of various trails there, none of them went anywhere. I ended up back on roads and made my way to Town Farm road where the Air Line commenced, with signage. However, the next several miles were very rough, and I would not recommend riding there except with a balloon tire mountain bike with front and back suspension. But from the Pomfret Station on to Willimantic, it was either beautiful, or at least fine, except for some road crossing s with very steep and rocky ramps on both sides. For most riders, those ramps have to be negotiated off the bike. But overall, I had a great experience!
Did the whole thing west to east and back in one ride. Enjoyed the history for the trail that was posted along the trail. Give you a chance to stop, slow down and just enjoy the ride. Half of the trail is stone dust but still good. No big ruts and water channels (even with all the rain we had recently). Plenty of parking along the way is you want to jump into a section of the trail. There are even repair station on the trail if you have a bike problem. Greatly appreciate the convenience of it. Enjoy the ride!
Haven't ridden the trail since 2023. Rode from Cheshire down to New Haven, Saturday July 19th. Absolutely awful; entire section needs repaving and upkeep. Constant cracks in pavement and much debris on surface; plus glass and homeless down by the Wharf. Connecticut should take notice from Mass and NY on trail up keep. Both states's trail are far superior to CT. Also, difficult to navigate at trail end in New Haven if you don't know the city; poor signage.
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