Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Smithfield, 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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The trail map indicates there is parking at the crossing with Pine Hill Road, but it is not really designed as a parking area. There is room for one or two cars to pull off the road. There is a real parking lot with room for maybe a dozen cars at Sweetwater Avenue, the location of the Fawn Lake Conservation Area.
So I started this trail in Portland, Connecticut, and about 3 to 4 miles into it. It stops at a marsh river area. There is no sign to tell you that it does or what detour to take. You would have to get on the main road to avoid this section. And the way people drive on that road I wouldn’t trust it. From what I heard, they were supposed to build a bridge over this section but said they were waiting for EPA to be involved which was years ago so I would highly recommend that you start in East Hampton for continued access.
This trail has several wonderful, delightful, beautiful sections. But there are a few too many street crossings, and the signs could be better for those who are new.
A few too many crossings at the Leominster end, but its a fine trail. Last quarter mile or so on the Fitchburg end isnt so much a trail as it is street riding.
I love the quiet and beauty of this trail.
However, last time I was there someone
drove on the path on a scooter. I didn’t know this was allowed. It wasn’t the type to help with mobility issues.
It was loud and disturbing to the dogs walking.
We rode from the parking lot at Quidnick St. in West Warwick to the abrupt end of the trail in Summit (Coventry), about 20 mi round trip. Pavement in very good shape. Trail is shaded for much of the way making for a pleasant ride. Lots of views of ponds, lakes, reservoirs and streams. Significant uphill climb to the end of the trail in Coventry but a screaming downhill for much of the way back. We plan to return in the fall, foliage will doubtless be stunning. Trail is paved throughout, and the western part of the trail is shared with equestrians, although sadly we did not see any.
My 6 and 9 year old grandsons rode the 2.5 round trip with maybe 100 feet of walking their 20” mt bikes over rough spots and a couple of logs. The trail is 95% shaded. We parked on Breck Rd and crossed Thacher Rd to the trailhead. Lafayette Rd has a large circle at its end by Pope’s Pond that you clearly can park at.
This rider was going Northeast from Willimantic towards Hampton NOT Southwest from Willimantic to East Hampton. Having ridden both stretches I can say his description is completely wrong about the gorgeous and open riding Southeastern route and not completely wrong but somewhat overly harsh about his route which can get iffy for stretches.
This trail gets better and better as you get closer to downtown Boston. It also gets more crowded. Very scenic with lots of views of the river and such, but as always in Boston, there will be detours here and there due to construction. Probably gets better the more times you ride it and get to know its quirks. Not a trail if you are looking for speedy biking due to the number of pedestrians, runners, and other folks - it is certainly well-loved by Bostonians!
Western end beyond the Galen Bridge to Waltham gets squirrelly with odd and sometimes confusing routing and signage - not recommended unless you've got all day like I did.
Yes, the comments about all the root heaves along the paved trail are true, but otherwise a very attractive ride. The TrailLink description is very accurate. Might be special in foliage season.
Biked end to end today. Best described as two very different rail trails that are joined by a squirrelly connection.
Holliston (eastern) end is beautiful stone dust surface. It can be soft in places but is a terrific, well-maintained trail with excellent historical signage (think Casey at the Bat) and an unusually attractive short tunnel. Trail is long and straight and crosses several swampy water features chock full of flowers and wildlife. Sadly, the trail ends abruptly at the Holliston border with Sherborn with a short connector to a small parking lot.
The Holliston segment changes to pavement at the Milford town line and adds another mile or so to that segment. After that, there are a number of road crossings (some major) and sidewalks to make it to the main Milford rail trail.
The Milford segment is better described as a paved bike path that spends some time on a former railroad bed. The pavement is generally excellent, with only a few root heaves. It too is very attractive and an enjoyable ride as it winds through the woods and beside a lake. After an easier-than-expected crossing of the I-495 corridor, the trail continues north for another mile or so of rail trail until ending at the Hopkinton border.
All in all, each segment gets a 5 rating, each for very different reasons. The connection between the two is less interesting and makes the end-to-end experience less desirable. But credit where credit is due: Massachusetts drivers were invariably polite and respectful of the warning lights at all flashing road crossings. I'm not sure I could say the same about drivers in my home state.
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