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Great trail. Bad culverts!!!
I bike rode Rockingham Rail Trail, Portsmouth branch for the first time today 6/29/25. Headed from Manchester east out 15 miles and back. Very nice trail, good base and I enjoyed the trail very much. HOWEVER, those underpass culverts 7-8 miles east of Manchester are DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS!!!!! Very low clearance, terrible visibility, and a deteriorated and uneven riding platform all contribute to a recipe for a terrible accident and injury. I am a good rider, and I crashed today. I was barely creeping along and fortunately I was not seriously Injured. Something needs to be done to make these less dangerous. I do not know who is responsible for maintaining these underpass culverts, but please consider my concerns. I would volunteer to assist in improving these hazards. Reread the description and walking bikes in these culverts was recommended and I would agree. On site signage would be a good idea also. The trail gets 5 stars the culverts get 0 stars.
The Assabet River Rail Trail is varied and enjoyable. The tricky thing about it is that it exists as two disconnected sections, separated by 2 miles of fairly busy road that's only suitable for confident road warriors. And that's a shame because both sections are marvelous and have much to recommend them.
The northern section runs from South Acton, through Maynard, and barely into Stow. It passes right through downtown Maynard, where you can find some decent food options and a bike shop. Proceeding south, it turns into a wide, hard-packed dirt road, and then finally ends as a slightly rougher dirt path. You can also easily access the Assabet River Wildlife Refuge from here, which has miles of wonderful off-road bike paths.
The southern section starts in Hudson and passes through the eastern end of its downtown, where there are more services and some worthwhile shops, including a bike shop. As of 2025, this part also connects to a new 8-mile eastbound section of the Mass Central Rail Trail. But if you continue on the Assabet River Rail Trail, you'll climb up into Marlborough -- it's pretty consistently uphill as you head south, but it's good exercise and has at least one excellent view. The trail more or less ends in the center of Marlborough, near the library, and where there are a few more spots you can grab a bite or get a drink.
So although this one isn't a straight shot, it's easily the most pleasant way to tour these towns and see what they have to offer. I hope finish it some day, and make it a single continuous Acton-to-Marlborough trail it's meant to be.
Without question, this is one of the best rails trails in Massachusetts -- maybe even New England as a whole.
The northernmost section, closest to Lowell, are clearly older -- it's fairly narrow and the way through the center of Chelmsford isn't super well thought-out. As you head south, it quickly turns into a wide, well-maintained, gorgeous trail with beautiful scenery and a serene vibe. There are places to stop for food; a couple of swimming holes; NARA Park in Acton; the fabulous bridge over Route 2; the convenient access through West Concord, and more as you proceed -- including an intersection with the future crown jewel of Massachusetts rail trails (the Mass Central Rail Trail). The BFRT is now mostly complete as of 2025, and I think the only section still waiting to be built is the southernmost section in Framingham. I love the Bruce Freeman and I bet you will too.
I ride my bike & walk this trail & downtown Derry is a great bike ride to Salem, 14-miles round trip and always free parking ¿
This portion of the Cheshire rail trail has almost no incline is completely straight and runs past a former major manufacturing complex, which is now vacant. Other sites include Keene police department and Keene ice and American house.
I enjoy the trail. I've seen cows bunnies and birds.
As of 6/3/25 this trail is still closed south of 11th street.
There is a detour indicated, which we tried to follow, but quickly lost track of.
Found another way to access the trail further south, only to realize that we'd gotten onto the part of the trail that was officially closed.
I'm sure this will warrant a higher rating once it has re-opened, but we were more than a bit disappointed today.
This was my first time on this trail, and I really enjoyed it. The views were amazing but there was one big take away I have for next time. If you can, bring a bike with suspension. I had my road bike and REALLY felt the poor condition of the path. It was still very bike-able though.
I parked at NARA park and biked to Chelmsford. Today parked in same place and biked to west concord. Path is in great shape. Lots of trees, waterways, bridges, towns. Got to “the end” to discover that it actually goes several more miles which I’ll save for another day. I liked the poetry booth in West Concord- very original. I highly recommend this for scenery, safety, convenience of restaurants and bathroom stops. My favorite find this year.
Start at the Peterborough Shopping Plaza parking lot. Stop in the Information Center across the street. It's operated by very nice local volunteers. Make your way north though the center of Peterborough. The surfaces are mostly paved & packed. You don't hit dirt & gravel until the upper half of the trail. Most riders stop at the school bus parking lot on Rt.202. There's a small parking lot there. If you cross the road you can pick up the Powder Mill Pond Rail trail and follow it northeast for another mile or so until it ends at Forest Rd. The trail gets rougher the further north you go but it's VERY manageable for most riders.
Did this trail in the summer of 2024. I agree with some of the previous reviewers that signage could be a little clearer but that's a MINOR concern. The ride was quite pleasant & would make a great lunch hour break for locals. Absolutely no issues with road surfaces and traffic on the nearby highway was very light that day so no competing with cars. Very short trail so make sure you have other activities planned. Visit nearby Hoyt's Landing on the CT river for a nice end of ride picnic :-)
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