Bay Colony Rail Trail

Massachusetts

4 Reviews

View Trail Map
View Map
Print
Complete
Favorite
Send to App

Register for free!

Register for free with TrailLink today!

We're a non-profit all about helping you enjoy the outdoors
  • View over 40,000 miles of trail maps
  • Share your trail photos
  • Save your own favorite trails
  • Learn about new trails near you
  • Leave reviews for trails
  • Add new and edit existing trails

Bay Colony Rail Trail Facts

States: Massachusetts
Counties: Norfolk
Length: 1.7 miles
Trail end points: Charles River (Needham) and High Rock Street (Needham Junction)
Trail surfaces: Crushed Stone
Trail category: Rail-Trail
ID: 8835990
Activities:

Bay Colony Rail Trail Description

The Bay Colony Rail Trail will one day span 7 miles connecting the Boston suburbs of Newton, Needham, Dover, and Medfield along tracks once used by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority.

In May 2016, 1.7 miles of the pathway opened between High Rock Street in Needham Junction and the Charles River on the Needham/Dover border. Along the way, the wooded trail passes the Needham Town Forest and crosses the beautiful Charles River Peninsula, where footpaths and a boat launch are available.

The Medfield Rail Trail and the Upper Falls Greenway are both included as part of this trail network.

Parking and Trail Access

Parking is available at Red Wing Bay on the south side of Fisher Street.

Bay Colony Rail Trail Reviews

connected to Needham Forest trails

Short biking trail. Here are the adjacent trails at Needham Town Forest https://www.needhamma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2352/Town-Forest-Public-Trail-Map-2009

Bay Colony Rail Trail

A short but nice trail. Pretty much a straight shot with no hills. Similar to the World War II Veterans Memorial trail in Mansfield, but with no benches and in need of a bit more TLC. The trail is made of crushed stone and in one or two places it is a bit too loosely packed which can make steering your bike a bit challenging. Also, there is some encroaching brush on either side of the trail, but it is minor and does not get in the way too much. Not too busy. You can go back and forth and probably see 2 or 3 other bikers, walkers, etc. The parking lot is located across the street from where the trail begins. Overall, a nice trail if you are looking for a quick ride through the woods.

Nice but short

Not a very long trail and not a lot of scenery, but it's connected to the Needham town forest (High Rock) on one side so if you are mountain biking then that adds more trail. If you are street biking then it's kind of a short ride.

Map error

This is a delightful section of trail. But, the map does not match the description. The map only shows a piece between Fisher St. and Charles River St. in Needham. But, the trail (as per the description) extends from the Needham / Dover town line at the Charles River, west of Fisher Road, to just west of High Rock St. I particularly like the railroad cross bucks at the street crossings, which have been changed to read "rail trail crossing" and the crosswalk painting which has the cross bars longer to look line cross ties.

Nearby Trails

Go Unlimited Today!

  • FREE Account
  • View over 40,000 miles of trail maps
  • Post your trail reviews
  • Share your trail photos
  • Save your favorite trails
  • Learn about new trails near you
  • Get a free map in the app!
Register for FREE
  •  
Purchase Unlimited

Explore by City

Explore by City

Explore by Activity

Explore by Activity

Log in to your account to:

  • View trail paths on the map
  • Save trails to your account
  • Add trails, edit descriptions
  • Share photos
  • Add reviews

Log in with Google

Log in with Apple

OR

Register for free!

Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more!

Register with Google

Register with Apple

OR

Your account has been deleted.