Boxford 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

Boxford Rail Trail Facts

States: Massachusetts
Counties: Essex
Length: 2.1 miles
Trail end points: Nelson St (Georgetown) and Ipswich Rd & Pond St (Boxford)
Trail surfaces: Dirt, Grass
Trail category: Rail-Trail
ID: 6891978
Activities:

Boxford Rail Trail Description

The Boxford Rail Trail is a short, rustic pathway open on a former rail corridor in rural Essex County. Now home to overhead electric wires owned by National Grid, the trail is open via a license granted from the utility to the Town of Boxford for non-motorized recreational use. The grassy service is best navigated with mountain bikes and hiking boots.

The trail is a component of the developing Border to Boston Trail, which will one day span Essex County from Salisbury to Peabody. The entire planned route, including the Boxford Rail Trail, is also a crucial link in the East Coast Greenway, a gargantuan effort to establish a multi-use trail network stretching from Maine to Florida.

Parking and Trail Access

Parallel parking is permitted on both sides of the road at the trail entrances on Georgetown Road and Pond Street.

Boxford Rail Trail Reviews

The worst, go elsewhere.

Not even really a rail trail. You are biking under double electric lines. There is no posting at the Pond Street entrance. Also, a quarter mile in, there is a no trespassing sign right on the trail so you have to take a longer loop around on surface streets to get back under the power lines. Not scenic at all. I've done about 18 trails throughout MA and NH and this is the worst trail I have been on. Why is this even listed here?

Nice extension to the Topsfield/ Danvers trail

This is a nice trail. It can be a bit hard to ride with road tires, much easier with a hybrid. You often run in to walkers, the people who use this trail are always friendly. It is a Part of the East Coast Greenway and a nice extension to the Topsfield / Danvers trail. I have run into "through riders" doing some part of the East Coast Greenway.

National Grid Destruction

This was once a magnificent five star trail with an astonishing variety of plant species that supported a myriad of mammals, pollinator insects, reptiles and birds, and that did not compromise the power lines that run above it through a large wetland. But this past winter of 2020 National Grid completely decimated every living thing beneath their lines and up to the woods that run parallel. All that's left now are dead sticks and stumps. So far, National Grid has not used herbicides to inhibit regrowth and at least the wood ducks have returned to breed. But the trail is now a depressing sight. I can only hope that in time, nature will endure and re-establish what was once there and that utility companies like National Grid will be prevented by law from ever committing what was tantamount to an environmental crime. This is something I will work to ensure.

boxford trail

Nice spring walk-full sun, cleared path with side trails that are clearly marked (part of Camp Denison).

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.