Overview
Visitors to the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail will find the full splendor of the scenic Berkshires along a 13.7-mile paved trail. The Ashuwillticook (ash-oo-will-ti-cook) follows MA 8 through the Hoosic River valley between Lanesborough and Adams while providing views of mountains, lakes, and rivers, as well as turning leaves in autumn.
About the Route
The Ashuwiltilcook Rail Trail leaves off from its northern endpoint at Lime St. in the small town of Adams. The trail here passes through the heart of Adams. Trail users here can see old mill buildings on the far shore of the Hoosic River.
The route parallels the town’s restored main street that boasts quaint stores and eateries. Archways and banners throughout Adams sport a black bear riding a bicycle, a nod to both the trail and the resident black bear population. The old passenger station still stands at 10 Pleasant Street, and parking is available at the visitor center, 3 Hoosac Street.
In Chesire, south of Adams, trail users can find snacks and refreshments in a trailside business housed in an old Boston & Albany Railroad Station.
After passing the 418-acre Cheshire Reservoir, the trail passes by Berkshire Pond. Along its 2.4-mile trailside shoreline, trail users might see anglers casting for bass, northern pike, and yellow perch. Keep your eyes open for ospreys and herons, as well as turtles sunning themselves on logs. The pond also offers views of Mount Greylock, the highest point in the state, across the lake.
The route continues south past Berkshire Pond as it heads south towards Pittsfield. Most trailside stops along this section of the route fall on the wrong side of a busy state highway, so trail users are advised to pack food with them.
Trail History
The Ashwilticook Rail Trail owes its existence to the Pittsfield and North Adams Railroad, which sought to extend the Housatonic Railroad from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, to Rutland, Vermont, in the 1840s. The Western Railroad acquired the line before its completion, and it was later operated by the Boston & Albany Railroad, the New York Central, and finally the Boston and Maine Railroad. The corridor became disused in 1990, and residents gained support for a multi-use trail. It opened in three phases in 2001, 2004, and 2017.
The Ashuwilticook Rail Trail runs between 65 Print Works Dr (Adams) and 850 Crane Ave (Pittsfield), where parking is available.
Parking is also available at:
Please see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
Beautiful smooth ride. Recommend for anyone seeking a pleasurable experience.
Lots of wildlife along this pristine trail with plenty for bathroom facilities and benches to take a break. Trail is maybe 70% shaded which kept the temperatures down but still glad we had our suntan lotion. The trail passes a large lake and goes through plenty of wetlands giving lots of interesting views. Road crossings were well marked and safe. Our stay at the Williams Inn in Williamstown was definitely a cut above the norm and from there was maybe a 15 minute drive to the trailhead.
Started in Adams and rode to the end and back. Nice weather on this wide paved and shaded trail. It is in great condition. There are a number of road crossings but most are small streets. The gates are all the same, an opening on each side and we saw atleast two recumbent trikes make it through without problems. Photo to show the gates today.
Visiting in lower NY area and had this on my bucket list. It was a well paved and maintained trail. Parked at railroad at in Cheshire and rode to the parking area in Pittsfield and then back and a few miles into the Adams area. All in 18 miles. Plenty of options for parking, bathroom Facilities in a few areas and many benches and picnic tables placed to stop and take a break or enjoy the views of the Lindai a or chechsire reservoir. It was well worth the trip!
It looked very nice from the parking area, but could not get through the barricades with a recumbent trike. Drove over an hour and gates were shut and would have had to lift trike over gates. Disgusted with Massachusetts and whomever designed the barricades. Has anyone heard of the ADA?
Excellent experience on this fresh paved trail. The scenery of the ponds and mountains in the distance was worth the trip.
I rode the trail from Pittsfield to the end in North Adams and back on 8/5/23. The trail is paved and in good condition and restrooms at the Pittsfield trail head were clean and working fine. Nice scenery including lakes and the Berkshires- I was able to finally identify Mt Greylock after the morning clouds had dissipated. The grade is gentle and I was able to keep up a consistent pace for the ride.
Asphalt smooth and trail is terrific. Easy, flat trail with some water views passing Silver Lake/Pittsfield.
This is rail trail that brings you but the reservoir and beautiful scenery
One of the best trails I have ridden. Many diverse environments and excellent views. Mill town, river, marsh, fine reservoir views with water lilies. Excellent birds on my mid-summer ride. Quite a number of enticing crossroads which offer worthwhile diversions.
Excellent smooth surface. Friendly fellow trail users.
Not to be missed if you are in the area.
June 2023
This trail is second to none! Rode from Lanesboro to Adams-- flat, clean great scenery. Many turtles, water birds, and spotted a deer. Considering a return in the fall as I am sure the color is amazing.
Road the trail last week end-to-end as an out and back from the great southern trailhead parking area on Crane Avenue (bathroom). Trail is in excellent condition and a great ride.
We rode the Ashuwillticook Trail on 11/07/22 from the Pittsfield trailhead to Adams and back. The ride is excellent, with plenty of scenic highlights along the entire route, smooth paved surface and many places to stop and enjoy. The towns along the route looked inviting enough to divert us, but we had time constraints so we stayed on the route. The head winds on the way back were a challenge..
This is one of the best trails we have been on, not to be missed.
PS Recommend enjoying a long weekend and stayed at a B+B in Lenox...
Note: the restrooms along the route were all closed. I can understand given the time of year but it seemed somewhat premature given the warm weather we had been experiencing.
We decided to go when the leaves were just starting to change color and fall. What a great time to go. So many awesome photos we were able to take. The trail is such a relaxing place to enjoy the outdoors. We were only able to do the first section from Crane Ave to the Berkshire Mall entrance. Took us about an hour to leisurely walk that distance before it started to get dark and we had to turn back around. I’m hoping they will decide to put some kind of lighting through out the trail. Otherwise, it’s nice and clean, pet friendly and plenty of spots to rest and take the scenery in and get a few photos. I feel like we will enjoy this trail more now that the crane Ave part is completed.
We decided to go when the leaves were just starting to change color and fall. What a great time to go. So many awesome photos we were able to take. The trail is such a relaxing place to enjoy the outdoors. We were only able to do the first section from Crane Ave to the Berkshire Mall entrance. Took us about an hour to leisurely walk that distance before it started to get dark and we had to turn back around. I’m hoping they will decide to put some kind of lighting through out the trail. Otherwise, it’s nice and clean, pet friendly and plenty of spots to rest and take the scenery in and get a few photos. I feel like we will enjoy this trail more now that the crane Ave part is completed.
I started at the trail head at Crane ave in Pittsfield and rode the 13+ miles to Adams and back. It is possibly the best trail I have ridden. Paved, well maintained, no roots causing bumps in the pavement. Within 1/4 mile of the start I was out of the industrial area and into wetlands and beautiful scenery. The trail goes along three reservoirs in the 13 miles. There are plenty of places to park and jump on the trail, and also rest rooms along the length. Definitely recommend this trail.
It took me 3 hours from Nashua NH to drive to this trail and it was completely worth it!!! As of 2022 I rode this trail from beginning to end and did not find a single bump, frost heave or pot hole, the smoothest paved trail I have ever been on. Then there is the scenery which is just spectacular and when fall comes the foliage in the Berkshires is going to be just great. The only issue I had was there was no parking at the trail terminus in North Adams, I parked on a city street there is parking directly on the other end in Pittsfield.
I want to take stars away from other trails to give this one an 8 out of 5, that's how nice it is! We rode this end-to-end and every inch of it is wide and smooth, with beautiful wooded surroundings, lakeside vistas, or quaint small town vibe (the Adams end.) If I had to find something to nitpick, it would have to be that we found the public restrooms on the north end to be closed when we desperately needed them. It was about 6pm on a Saturday at the time. But the fact that there are true restrooms (not porta-potties) on the north and south ends of the trail is a vast improvement over other trails we've been on.
We rode the Ashwillticook trail from the Berkshire Mall entrance(about 1.5 miles north of it’s actual beginning at Crane Avenue in Pittsfield) to its end in Adams on 6/21/22. Trail is paved and in pristine condition. Trail weaves through a lot of nice sections with trees and wetlands bordering the trail, and you can see hills in the distance on both sides. There’s a long section (about 4.5 miles) along the Cheshire reservoir that is especially nice. The northern section runs through the town of Adams, with several trailside food stops. An excellent ride!
If you haven't seen or been there yet, new 1.5 section towards Pittsfield was officially opened last week. Ends/Starts at Crane Road. Parking lot and toilets are available. New dirt lot on Rt. 8 before you turn off US7/Rt 8 connector road
This rail trail is among the best we’ve pedaled. We traveled to the area (with our RV and Ebikes) specifically to tide this trail. We were thrilled. It’s beautifully maintained. The multiple road crossings are carefully managed. The views are super nice. We ride in Oct ‘21 so the foliage was full and bright. Downtown N Adams is very pretty from the trail. Some on-trail interpretive signs for some of the historic train related structures and remnants would be welcome.
We’ve ridden many rail trails in New England, and this is one of the best! Flat, wide, smooth and almost no one around. I If riding from South to North into Adams; the last 3 miles are downhill. My wife actually coasted for the entire 3 miles without pedaling or need to brake!! She was laughing the entire way. The downhill is so gradual, you can’t even see it’s downhill.
Great early fall ride. Amazing views on Mount Greylock and Lake Berkshire. Mostly scenic and quiet. Nice place to stop by the water and take in the scenery. Well paved, wide, smooth ride.