Things to Do
Rail Trails: Offering a Multitude of Accessible Recreation Options
Rail trails provide a wonderful option for those looking for outdoor fun, on predictable graded surfaces. These trails developed on historic, but now abandoned, rail lines are great for cyclists of all experience levels, walkers, runners, cross-country skiers, and rollerbladers. They are also an accessible option for families with strollers or wheelchairs. Rail trails offer scenic views of off-road areas and an opportunity to recreate safely away from traffic.
Watershed Rail Trails
Nashua River Rail Trail
The NRWA played a role in the creation of the Nashua River Rail Trail, an 11-mile paved trail running from the center of Ayer, through Groton and Pepperell, to Nashua, New Hampshire. The trail is flat with only a gradual grade making it perfect for biking at any age (also perfect for strollers, wheelchairs, walking, or rollerblading). The trail is great for cross-country skiing in the winter. There is an additional gravel path beside the trail for the seven-mile stretch through Groton to Dunstable to allow for horseback riding. The trail’s northern half is predominantly forested, traveling through J. Harry Rich State Forest, and alongside the Nashua River. The southern half tends to be more open as it runs along agricultural fields, wetlands and small ponds. A day on the trail may bring you a sighting of a Great Blue Heron, Osprey, Wood Ducks, swans, beaver dams, and more.
Mason-Greenville Rail Trail
One of the most outstanding recreational features in Mason, New Hampshire is the Railroad Trail which runs 6.7 miles across the center of town from the state line north of Townsend State Forest through Russell Abbott State Forest in the northwest corner of Mason. It passes right by Pratt Pond in that state forest, a very peaceful scenic spot. Travelers on the trail will glimpse a bit of Mason’s history from old quarry sites to the 1849 Jackson Road trestle to Wolf Rock, inscribed for a traveling preacher who spent a winter night on its top besieged by wolves.
Mass Central Rail Trail
The Mass Central Rail Trail goal is a 104-mile trail from Boston to Northampton. Within the Nashua River watershed, this trail runs through the communities of Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, Sterling, and West Boylston. Views along these trail sections include West Lake Waushacum from the Quag Bridge in Sterling, the scenic Quinapoxet River in West Boylston, the historic Springdale Mill site in Holden, and the dramatic trail through a granite cut and tunnel on Charnock Hill in Rutland.
Squannacook River Rail Trail
The NRWA was a founding member of the group of local citizens who had a vision for the Squannacook River Rail Trail. After more than a decade of effort, the Squannacook Greenways group will complete construction of this 3.7 mile rail trail in spring 2024. The packed gravel trail stretches from West Groton to Townsend center, passing by the North Middlesex Regional High School, two shopping centers, historical districts, protected open space, and other key resources. Sites along the way include the Squannacook River and Harbor Pond. The trail serves as safe alternative transportation parallel to, but off of, the heavily trafficked Route 119.
Twin Cities Rail Trail
When complete, this 4.7 mile trail will connect downtown Fitchburg with downtown Leominster. A significant portion of this paved trail was completed and opened in 2022. The trail is built on the old Fitchburg and Worcester Railroad line. The trail offers recreational opportunities to residents and visitors to these cities, as well as a car-free mode of transportation connecting neighborhoods, businesses, parks, and shopping areas.