Ratings of Rail Trails and Bike Paths in Massachusetts

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The ratings below have been submitted by visitors who have used the trails listed in Rail Trails in Massachusetts. To rate a trail, click on "Rate this Trail" on that trail's listing.

Number of ratings for this region: 27
The latest 20 ratings are listed below

Trail name: Cape Cod Canal
Times biking the trail: Once
Date of last visit: August, 2005
Sections that I biked: The entire access road on the North side of the Cape Cod Canal.
My favourite sections of the trail: The Sandwich terminus at the East end of the Canal presents a nice wide view of the Canal entrance with a very large jetty to rest or walk out on.
Best time to go: Summer or Fall
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: Scenery of large and small boats transiting the canal and also the surrounding local area.
What I disliked: Nothing to complain about
Comments: Begin at the West end of the Canal at the Railroad Bridge with the entrance located just after the access road to the Mass Maritime Academy
Submitted by: RGD
from: Fairhaven, MA
Date submitted: Aug 23, 2005

Trail name: Nashua River Rail Trail
Times biking the trail: Few
Date of last visit: July, 2005
Sections that I biked: Whole paved length.
My favourite sections of the trail: Pond just North of Ayer. Very quiet & peaceful. Nice place to rest and ponder.
Best time to go: Spring, Summer, & Fall. Cool days.
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4.5 stars
What I liked: Good scenery - Paved, straight level grade (Great for road bike). Great for families with children. 11-Mile ride, no traffic; only a handfull of road crossings.
What I disliked: Paved, Flat, & Straight (Not good for mountain bike. Tires on pavement transfer too much vibration to the seat. Ride the shoulder when you can.) A bit closed in at times (nature of a rail trail thru woods).
Comments: Nice ride from Nashua, NH to Ayer, MA. No facilities, refreshments, or eats at Nashua end. Start in Nashua, have lunch in Ayer then head back.
Trail is shared with equestrians, roller bladers, & walkers/runners/hikers. Give them the right-of-way.
Submitted by: R. Patnaude
from: Merrimack, NH
Date submitted: July 9, 2005

Trail name: Nashua River Rail Trail
Times biking the trail: Once
Date of last visit: June, 2005
Sections that I biked: Hollis->Ayer->Hollis
My favourite sections of the trail: The part which runs alongside the Nashua River.
Best time to go: unknown
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: na
What I liked: Scenery. I rode the trail in the mid-to-late afternoon, and there were very few other users about.
What I disliked: Rather flat. Somewhat un-interesting, but very easy to cover the entire distance in about an hour.
Comments: This was my first time on this particular trail - I did lots of riding back in the 80's and 90's and some of my rides intercrossed with this trail. I remember thinking at the time how nice it would be if it were made into a bike path.
Submitted by: Wil Davis
from: Nashua, NH
Date submitted: June 10, 2005

Trail name: Charles River Bike Path
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: Apr, 2005
Sections that I biked: From the Hatch Shell to Waltham.
My favourite sections of the trail: The stretch between the Hatch Shell and Harvard University is one of my favorite ways to see the city. But the stretch from Harvard to Waltham is more of an adventure. The path ends, or so it seems, many times. Keep a sharp eye and you'll find your way all the way to Waltham. Many offroad sections, as well as wooden bridges. Makes for a delightful afternoon.
Best time to go: Spring/summer/fall
Trail marking: Fair
Trail maintenance: Fair
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: The Charles - the many interesting bridges - birds and other wildlife.
What I disliked: A little rough in some of the paved parts (mostly tree branches).
Comments: Find Moody Street in Waltham - there is a restaurant called So Cal. Awesome wraps - perfect fuel for the ride back home.
Submitted by: Jesse

Date submitted: April 26, 2005

Trail name: Nashua River Rail Trail
Times biking the trail: Several
Date of last visit: Oct, 2004
Sections that I biked: We bike this trail a great deal. I find it is less crowded than the Minuteman in Lexington, making it much more relaxing and less traffic to get to. I enjoy this trail a great deal. In late fall however, it can be covered in wet leaves making it a little difficult to bicycle. But hopefully spring will be here soon and will be able to bring out the bicycle once again for this trail.
My favourite sections of the trail: All of it
Best time to go: Spring, summer & fall
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: I like the layout of the trail as well as the scenery. It's an easy ride.
What I disliked: Nothing
Comments: Little restuarant in Pepperell is good for breakfast or lunch. haven't seen anything at the NH end to grab a snack, maybe they should look into getting a Hot Dog vendor at that end as well as in Pepperell.
Submitted by: NAD
from: Marlborough, MA
Date submitted: Feb 26, 2005

Trail name: Charles River Bike Path
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: Sept, 2004
Sections that I biked: From MIT to Waltham ( Rt. 128).
My favourite sections of the trail: Bridges in Waltham.
Best time to go:
Trail marking: Fair
Trail maintenance: Fair
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: The trail has some gorgeous scenery. Bring a camera. Many places to rest, grab a drink, etc. Watch for the abandoned bridges in Waltham.
What I disliked: The only problem is that many sections in Watertown, Newton, and Waltham are still under construction and the route is poorly marked in places.
Comments:
Submitted by: CP
from: Wrentham, MA
Date submitted: Feb 8, 2005

Trail name: Bay Circuit Trail and Greenway
Times biking the trail: Several
Date of last visit: Sept, 2004
Sections that I biked: The whole thing
My favourite sections of the trail: Sherborn, Carlisle, Harld Rafton reservation, Deer Jump, along the Merrimac
Best time to go: July, August September
Trail marking: Poor
Trail maintenance: Poor
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: This is very hard biking. Not technical but full of mental anguish and hassles. it'll make you a man.
What I disliked: Its not a trail, Its short chunks of woods separated by long chunks of street.
Comments: Beaver Dams, washouts, food? What food, Bring yer own. poorly maintained and hardly visible. Easy to get lost major backtracking. Your lost without highly modified and studied maps. this will never be a trail. Great scenery along the way, if you don't die of frustration.
Submitted by: G. Lamb
from: Holliston, MA
Date submitted: Sept 20, 2004

Trail name: Charles River Bike Path
Times biking the trail: Several
Date of last visit: August, 2003
Sections that I biked: entire trail except Watertown portion
My favourite sections of the trail: hatch shell area, mit area

Best time to go: summer, fall, spring
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Fair
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: I love the trail, with the exeption of how crowded it is.
I'm biking it tonight!

What I disliked: too many people, too narrow in some areas.
Comments: a few "hazardous areas" along Storrow Drive & Memorial Drive... Storrow near the Mass Pike exit - the path is too narrow and it's directly next to traffic. Same situation on Memorial Drive as you go over water in the Kendall Square area.
Submitted by: sk
from: watertown, ma
Date submitted: Aug 23, 2004

Trail name: Nashua River Rail Trail
Times biking the trail: Few
Date of last visit: August, 2004
Sections that I biked: All
My favourite sections of the trail: The whole trail is an excellent creation
Best time to go: Fall
Trail marking: Fair
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: sceneray is excellent. The whole family can enjoy the trail and spend an hour or the whole day; There are areas that one can stop and buy a snack and there are areas that seem as though you are miles from the nearest building
What I disliked: The amount of people could be a problem, though on a late summer Sunday with perfect weather the amount of people was still easily handled
Comments:
Submitted by: dl
from: Westford Massachusetts
Date submitted: Aug 22, 2004

Trail name: Minuteman Bikeway
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: August, 2004
Sections that I biked: All sections
My favourite sections of the trail: Much greener in Bedford - Lexington
Best time to go: Spring or Fall - Summer is quite crowded
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: A unique car-free paved bike path in a heavily populated area.
What I disliked: Don't go for the scenary. This is a bike path through the crowded suburbs of Boston. It is very heavily used by everyone from toddlers learning to ride up to very fit bike racers using the path to get out of town and to their training locations.
Comments: Goes through the centers of Arlington and Lexington with varied eating options. A great way to access the bucolic bike options in the Concord area from the city.
Submitted by: DR
from: Carlisle MA
Date submitted: Aug 9, 2004

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

Trail name: Nashua River Rail Trail
Times biking the trail: Several
Date of last visit: June, 2004
Sections that I biked: Dunstable to Ayer
My favourite sections of the trail: Pepperell center through Groton
Best time to go: Fall
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: Great pavement, flat terrain, variety of flora and fauna, scenic water ways.
What I disliked: Nothing other than the mosquitos in the spring time.
Comments: Great trail for all abilities. People along the trail are very friendly and courteous. Great scenery and wildlife along the trail. The trail is well maintained.
Submitted by: DGH
from: Nashua, NH
Date submitted: July 1, 2004

Trail name: Nashua River Rail Trail
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: June, 2004
Sections that I biked: I have inline skated from one end to the other doing the whole 11 miles and then back for a 22 mile round trip. I average 50 miles a week on this trail when the weather is good.
My favourite sections of the trail: The section along the river is my favorite but there really isn't a bad spot on the whole trail. Leaving from NH there are several wetlands you pass that are very beautiful. There is also a beaver damn near the wildlife reserve near ayer.
Best time to go: sping, summer, fall.
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: The pavement is outstanding for inline skating. Some sections seem faster than others maybe do a smoother finish or a very slight pitch in the trail.
What I disliked: The only bad part is the street you cross before you get to pepperell center. They are working on it and it's a pain to cross in skates. Should be fixed some time soon though!
Comments: On the weekends there is a hot dog vender in pepperell center as well as vending machines for power drinks. There is a ice cream stand across the main steet in pepperell center. The only other stop to get food is ayer and they have porta potties there as well. I like to wear a back pack and a holster for a drink, maybe bring some powerbars as well. When skating you need to watch for small stick and pebbels that may be laying on the trail but its not too much of a problem. I like to bring sneakers in my back pack so I can walk around when I get to the other end. The whole 22 mile trip on skates takes less than 3 hours with stops skating at a moderate pace. Shades are a good safety measure to keep a stay insect out of your eyes as on any trail. Lots of wildlife on this trail as well, snakes, turtles, frogs, toads, shrews, chipmonks... Can be crowded on holidays but not as bad as the minuteman bike trail.
Submitted by: Chris S
from: Nashua , NH
Date submitted: June 26, 2004

6 Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Trail name: Nashua River Rail Trail
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: June, 2004
Sections that I biked: I have inline skated the whole trail
My favourite sections of the trail: I like the whole trail, but between Groton and ayer is a nice pond sanctuary
Best time to go: When the trail is clean
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: Its fantastic plus at the Nashua end they are adding
What I disliked: Debris, at certain seasons: sticks leaves
Comments: Its a great trail
Submitted by: Kevin Duggan
from: Dracut Mass
Date submitted: June 24, 2004

Trail name: Nashua River Rail Trail
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: June, 2004
Sections that I biked: From Dunstable to Ayer and back.
My favourite sections of the trail: Along the Nashua River.
Best time to go: In Spring there are loads of flowers. In Autumn the foliage is lovely.
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: There are absolutely no hills and everyone you come across is friendly. There is hardly any graffiti or vandalism and the cities and towns the trail runs through is lovely.
What I disliked: Because there are no hills, it is very easy to go to far in one direction and expend your energy before making it back! lol
Comments: There is an icecream shop and soda machines on the trail. Wildlife and flowers abound this time of year! The chipmunks squirrels and red squirrels are abundant and daring, however. They like to dart closely in front of bikes, blades and even horses. I accidentally had to put a red squirrel to rest this afternoon because there was just no avoiding her. :o(
Submitted by: Mirella
from: Milford NH
Date submitted: June 17, 2004

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

Trail name: Nashua River Rail Trail
Times biking the trail: Once
Date of last visit: June, 2004
Sections that I biked: Did the entire trail
My favourite sections of the trail: the end
Best time to go: any time
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4.5 stars
What I liked: Well maintained trial with nice scenery. The trial offers a geat place to start if you have not been on a bike for a while ( no hills)
What I disliked: nothing in particular
Comments:
Submitted by: rm
from: westborough
Date submitted: June 13, 2004

Trail name: Nashua River Rail Trail
Times biking the trail: Once
Date of last visit: May, 2004
Sections that I biked: From Ayer to the end.
My favourite sections of the trail: I liked the river along side of the trail!
Best time to go: Spring and Fall
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: We enjoted all of it!
What I disliked:
Comments: It was the first time we were on the trail,and we enjoyed the scenery, the wildlife, and we stoped next to the river and ate our lunch, It was a very enjoyable day!
Submitted by: Judy and Ron
from: Templeton ,MA.
Date submitted: May 8, 2004

Trail name: Nashua River Rail Trail
Times biking the trail: Few
Date of last visit: Apr, 2004
Sections that I biked: Pepperell to Hollis this year. Entire trail last fall.
My favourite sections of the trail: It's all about the same - straight shot paved road where you can maintain a regular pace. Also there are many dirt cross roads to explore with the river alongside.
Best time to go: spring and fall
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Fair
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: If you're used to riding on sides of roads in traffic this trail or any paved rail trail is a relaxing change if you keep your ears open for traffic behind you.
What I disliked: The piles of trash on the trail side in some areas and the kids crossing from intersecting unpaved trails on oil buring fume making motorbikes and scooters.
Comments: There's a bike rental shop right next to the Pepperell gravel parking area.
Submitted by: Jerry
from: Tyngsboro, MA
Date submitted: April 23, 2004

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