Find the top rated running trails in Northfield, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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I drove about half an hour from Rochester to ride this trail on my new hybrid. The trail is compact gravel with beautiful scenery. I read some reviews on here and noticed some people mentioned the hazards crossing the rails, they weren't lying. About 4 miles in I tried to cross the rails almost fully parallel and my wheel slipped out underneath me. I skid into a burm and cut my knee. I chose self-care but could have used 2 or 3 sutures. After another 2 miles my girlfriend picked me up and after a trip to rite-aid for butterfly sutures we enjoyed the rest of the day in Wolfboro.
Along the way another rider gave me a large bandaid and showed me to the nearest road. I didn't get his name but thank you if you're reading this. I will hit the trail in a week or two again when my knee is healed, this time crossing the rails at a 90 degree angle.
From West Swanzey toward Winchester, trail isn't as good for biking as it has not been improved as much as the Keene to West Swanzey portion.
There are two errors in the directions:
About 2.5 miles past the pedestrian bridge, you’ll cross Sawyers Crossing Road, where the circa 1859 Cresson Covered Bridge sits about 500 feet to the right (should read 'to the left'). The trail crosses the river in 0.3 mile near West Swanzey in an area considered moose territory. Passing on the east side of West Swanzey, a 0.3-mile detour right onto Christian Hill Road (should read 'right onto Railroad Street and then right onto Main Street which') leads to the 1832 Thompson Covered Bridge. (FYI: Main Street becomes Christian Hill Road at the bridge over the rail trail and one cannot turn right or left onto either road because the trail passes well below the road level).
Tried it out with dat wheel bike- I like a smoother ride for relaxation and to enjoy scenery.
I live near one of the main stopping points for this Rail Trail. It's gorgeous in any and every season. I noticed a lot of people saying there isn't a stopping point from Ayer until you get to Pepperell - don't forget about Groton! If you stop near the bus depot and go up the road, there is a health food place with some GREAT smoothies as well as a Dunkin' Donuts and a convenience store. From Pepperell to Nashua, there aren't any major stops, but there is a vending machine with a few chairs if you bring a couple dollar bills!
Overall, this is a great, family-friendly, small town Rail Trail. It cuts through some of New England's best small towns (in my entirely biased opinion) and both terminal points are worth a little look around (though Ayer might be more accessible, especially with kids!).
I've been a hiker for about 20 years. For some reason I'm not into it that much anymore, so I bought my Trek D-3. This trail is perfect for smooth hard dirt riding. I only did about 8 miles round trip from the Webster Beach area. I'm new to biking and noticed I'm using different muscles then hiking. But I am retired and try to get out every day. Soon 8 miles will be nothing. That should be coming up and I'm going to go back to this rail trail. It's very shady and relaxing. I plan on doubling that mileage on my next visit here.
6/27/18: well maintained trail for the first mile (from Whittier). Last 1/2 mile by the stables is not well maintained and not good for trail running. Beautiful scenery, very flat and mostly very dry. A few trees down, but nothing you couldn’t lift a bike over. Bring your bug spray and keep moving.
Hi Guys!
I started this ride at the Hinsdale trail-head. Big mistake! The trail is poor and the vegetation is overgrown. It had to be over 2 feet high. There is a very small area to ride that's about a foot wide. Otherwise, it's very hard to ride and stay out of the vegetation. It was also very, very buggy for some reason. I know it's summer and bugs are out there, but it was unusually buggy. I used a lot of bug spray, but it didn't matter. The little suckers wanted me and got me. It is a very pretty area of the state, but I wouldn't go back until the fall, or maybe starting from the northern start point. I'm new to biking and can not do the whole length of this trail yet.
Loved this trail! Clean, scenic, and well marked. It starts out in the quaint town of Ayers and continues to take you through beautiful scenery of marshes, wildlife and what appeared to be a vineyard. We loved how the quaint towns have signs showing local attractions, restaurants and other businesses. We even veered off the path 1/4 of a mile to see the covered bridge in Pepperell, Ma.
I hiked this trail with several friends. Surface varies from compact dirt, softer sand and rail bed stone in a few sections. Overall it was a good hike, we were passed by several mountain bikers who seemed to be using little effort while riding. I will be back to try this trail on a mountain bike. I wouldn’t recommend this trail for hybrid bikes.
Very nice trail. Wish we had more time to spend here.
Don't bother with the trailhead behind the restaurant in Greenville (currently the King House) marked on the map---it's a dead end about 1/4 to 1/2 mile in. Someone has piled Jersey Barriers, concrete blocks and old storm drains to block the trail behind Pilgrim Plastic. That and the numerous NO TRESPASSING signs make it pretty clear that they don't want people hiking, biking or anything else up there.
Start from Adams Hill Road where it crosses the trail, it's a nice hike from there. There isn't a lot of parking available there, but I've never seen it too crowded. The day we went we didn't see anyone on the trail and once we got away from the road noise of Rte. 31 it was birdsong and peepers to accompany our hike.
One other thing---bring bug spray! We were swarmed by mosquito's and blackflies for most of the hike. I was glad I wore a long sleeve shirt and long hiking pants, so all I had to defend was my head and neck (yes, I forgot bug spray!)
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