The Cochituate Rail Trail (CRT) is a developing, multi-use trail that will run from the Village of Saxonville in Framingham to Natick Center, a distance of 4 miles. Currently, its northernmost mile in Framingham is complete.
Due to its close proximity to office buildings, shopping centers, schools, and residential areas, it provides residents with an attractive alternative to driving. A future connection to the MBTA commuter rail station at Natick Center will provide even greater transportation use.
Much of the trail is quite scenic. Passing near streams and wetlands in Framingham (and, in the future, along the shores of Lake Cochituate in Natick), the trail is a beautiful linear park providing valuable open space through heavily developed sections of both towns.
The trail follows the former Saxonville Branch rail line southeast from Saxonville and will meet the active Boston-to-Worcester commuter line in Natick Center. Built in 1846, the historical Saxonville Branch was used to construct the dam for Lake Cochituate, which supplied water to the City of Boston from 1848 to 1951. The line also serviced the textile mills of Saxonville until 1973.
Love this trail and as soon as it is warm enough my walking group will be there at least 3x a week- that is if the parking is no longer a problem and there will be a safe place to park and walk to the trail. Right now - no designated
parking and if we park at Walgreen's there is only a 12 inch strip to walk on the street to reach the Trail- very dangerous- Have brought this to the attention of Chris Walsh but no answers
I agree with the other review on this trail...the Framingham trail is very nice and I hope that Natick completes its part soon..as the trail so far is not very long and not really enough for biking...though a walk on it is ok..and the path is really nice and scenic even though it goes through a populated area..there are marshes and a little stream ... its very well done... it will be great when its done...
Excellent trail, asphalt and concrete, perfect for walking, running, running, and biking. Nice views and convenient way to get to Saxonville center from Rte 30 in Framingham. About 1.6 miles or 2200 steps on my Fitbit. I hope it will be completed and go to Natick center soon.
This trail does not have any events yet.
Be the first to add one!
The Upper Charles Trail will one day span more than 20 miles, connecting the communities of Milford, Ashland, Hopkinton, Sherborn and Holliston along...
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 Assabet River Rail Trail provides a forested escape from the surrounding urban bustle. Traveling 8.6 miles (with plans to expand it) the trail...
The Charles River Bike Path, also referred to as the Charles River Greenway, offers a paved, 22-mile route from Boston to its western suburbs. The...
The Upper Falls Greenway is a short rail-trail that cuts through the charming village of Newton Upper Falls in Newton, Massachusetts. The trail...
The Center Trail runs for less than a mile from Hopkinton's downtown to its high school and middle school, providing a safe route to school for...
The rugged and beautiful Reformatory Branch Trail meanders more than 4 miles through three natural areas: Elm Brook Conservation Area, Mary Putnam...
The Bruce Freeman Rail Trail follows the route of the former Framingham and Lowell Railroad. It begins at the Lowell/Chelmsford city line, about 30...
You won't get lonely on the Minuteman Bikeway. The just over 10-mile rail-trail through suburban Boston is one of New England's most popular trails....
The Bedford Narrow-Gauge Rail-Trail shares its trailhead at Depot Park in Bedford with the Minuteman Bikeway and Reformatory Branch Trail. Serving...
A 104-mile rail line was shattered by hurricane in 1938. Today, the corridor is being developed as the Mass Central Rail Trail to be enjoyed by...
Alewife Linear Park is a beautiful paved trail stretching 2 miles east from the Alewife T-station in Cambridge to Cedar Street in Somerville. The park...
Download the TrailLink mobile app and take TrailLink with you!
Get Your 2018 RTC TrailNation Jersey!
Donate and Get a FREE 2018 RTC Guidebook!
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
