Find the top rated horseback riding trails in Massachusetts, 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.
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.
Once we figured out how to access the trail from the trailhead (hint.. it's tucked in right at the railroad tracks), we proceeded on to enjoy the beauty of this trail. As a first timer to the Cape, this trail showed me all I had hoped to see and experience. From woods, to murals, to water features, the rock beach and then finally the ferry, I was in awe the entire ride. You will find some tree root areas to be aware of and it's a busy path in many places but so worth it.
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.
Biked end to end on a beautiful summer day. An absolutely beautiful paved trail with lots of water features to see - lakes to the south, river further north, and views of the mountains. Nice trailside pub in Adams and other eateries, including ice cream. Well-loved, with lots of walkers and skaters, as well as riders. Benches and picnic tables aplenty. One of the best trails I've had the privilege to ride. The only way it could possibly be better is if it was longer.
Correction to someone else's review: trail goes gently downhill south to north (not north to south) from Cheshire to Adams.
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.
Awesome trail. Smooth surface and great views. Also lots of different places you can join the trail. We started a little further north to skip the more industrial part of the trail.
Pretty nice, short portion of paved trail. I parked at IHOP to check it out, lots of parking. Methuen did a good job with their section, now is time for Lawrence and Salem to pave their sections to connect with Windham and Derry. With just this one section finished it is likely only locals that currently use it but it will be great when it is part of the larger network.
Beautiful 1st ride on the Norwottuck Rail Trail. We parked at the Marshalls in Hadley (trail starts right behind the building) and road a little over 10 miles into EastHampton and back. It was a very easy ride (my 1st ride of this length) on asphalt.
I rode round trip from Mansfield to Norton which was 14 miles. It’s an absolutely beautiful trail, perfect for solo riders, couples, and families. Crossings are well marked and vehicles tend to stop immediately. Kids and adults might enjoy a detour to the airport in Mansfield. And ending in downtown Mansfield provides opportunity for a snack or beverage as there are several options readily available.
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