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Norwottock and Manhan Rail Trails

Description | Ratings

Trail description: Norwottock Rail Trail runs 9 miles from Northampton to Amherst. Manhan Rail Trail runs 4 miles through Easthampton and connects with Northampton via an on-road bike route.
The Norwottock Rail Trail is part of the planned Mass Central Rail-Trail from Boston to Northampton in the west.
Access fee:
Towns along the trail: Northampton, Hadley and Amherst, MA
Web site: Norwottock Rail Trail | Manhan Rail Trail | Mass Central Rail-Trail
Trail map: Available on the NRT and the MRT websites
Trail surface: Paved
Designated activities: Bicycling, inline skating, walking
Facilities on the trail:
Lodging: Northampton
Camping:
Bike shops: Northampton
Weather forecast: Northampton
Tourism info: Greater Springfield Visitors Bureau Easthampton Chamber
Points of interest: The Norwottock Trail crosses a 1/2-mile long bridge spanning the Connecticut River at Northampton.
Getting to the trail: NRT West end: Elwell State Park in Northampton. NRT East end: on Station Road in Amherst.
Map of local region: Easthampton | Northampton | Hadley | Amherst

Rate this section of trail

Number of ratings: 4
Average rating: 3.88  

4        

Trail name: Norwottock and Manhan Rail Trails
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: July, 2004
Sections that I biked: All of it!
My favourite sections of the trail:
All of it is "my favorite"
Best time to go: Fall
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Fair
Rating: 2.5 stars
What I liked: Trail for the most part is well thought-out and riding it is a pleasurable experience.
What I disliked: When this path was made I was one happy biker but this past year I have been getting flat tires due to the glass filler that is used in the asphalt (basalt?) I have talked to other cyclist who have had the same problem. This happens most often too those riders who have bicycles with slim /smooth tires, as opposed to thicker "knobies" (mountain bike type) It's a shame because I am beginning to avoid this otherwise very nice bike path, (it's a really pain in the posterior-end to have to fix a flat tire on the path! This is why I gave the path such a low rating (2.5) I would have doubled the rating if it weren't for the glass problem.
Comments: If anyone knows who I can contact about the glass filler - problem. I'd like to know. If people that complain about it, perhaps something will be done to fix it. You can email me at jc.curtis@usa.com
Submitted by: jcc
from: Ameherst MA
Date submitted: July 25, 2004

3          

Trail name: Norwottock and Manhan Rail Trails
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: June, 2004
Sections that I biked: The entir trail.
My favourite sections of the trail: From the begining lot and bridge crossing the Connecticut River to the mile 4 marker and the wet lands just before the Station Road end lot.
Best time to go: Fall and Summer
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4.5 stars
What I liked: Scenery is excellent with frequent views of the Holyoke Range and farm land. There is abundant wildlife. Rabbits, birds, ducks, toads and geese are common sights along the trail. There are families of ducks and geese that will sit right on the trail.
What I disliked: Parts are cracked and bumpy. The bad parts are from mile 3 to Station road, with the cracks worst in the last mile. There are what appears to be frost heaves near the 116 Amherst intersection that can be pretty jarring.
Comments: Overall the trail is a tremendous community asset.
It is unfortunate that community based opposition has kept the trail from expanding further into Belchertown and beyond. I do wish they would repair the cracks and frost heaves.
Submitted by: A.J.M.
from: Holyoke, MA
Date submitted: June 15, 2004

2          

Trail name: Norwottock Rail Trail
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: July, 2003
Sections that I biked: The entire trail
My favourite sections of the trail: Behind the Malls in Hadley and coming downhill from Amherst on rollerblades.
Best time to go: spring, summer and fall
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4.5 stars
What I liked: The scenery is great especially from the Northampton Bridge. The trail is easily accessable from many areas in between Amherst & Northampton. Overall the trail and the people using it are great!
What I disliked: Most recently many tree roots are beginning to surface making it a little difficult to rollerblade smoothly at all times. May need resurfacing in a few areas that could be potentailly dangerous to someone new to the trail.
Comments: The areas with the most bumps are in Hadley between Rt. 47 and Rt. 9, then again when you get into Amherst just before the last underpass.
The surface of the trail was made with small pieces of recycled glass which are currently making their way to the top of the surface, causing flat tires and potential danger to those who are unfortunate and happen to fall on this surface. It looks pretty but is not functional.
Places to eat on the trail: Pete's (Rt. 9, Hadley) is anything on wheels friendly.
Submitted by: Eileen
from: Southampton, MA
Date submitted: Aug 5, 2003

1      

Trail name: Norwottock Rail Trail
Times biking the trail: Few
Date of last visit: Oct, 2002
Sections that I biked: all
My favourite sections of the trail: Amherst to the Dead Mall
Best time to go: fall
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: generally flat, easy for anyone, beautiful views
What I disliked: some street crossings
Comments:
Submitted by: Cheyenne
from: Springfield, MA
Date submitted: July 8, 2003

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