Welcome to the Norwottuck (nor-WAH-tuck) Rail Trail.  The Norwottuck Rail Trail is part of the Connecticut River Greenway State Park and one of two paved rail trails within the Massachusetts State Forests and Parks System.  It follows the former Boston and Maine Railroad  right of way for ten miles through the towns of Northampton, Hadley, and Amherst.  Prior to the arrival of early settlers in the 17th century, the Nonotuck Tribe inhabited this scenic landscape.

The trail's gentle grade and smooth surface create perfect conditions for cyclists, skaters, walkers, runners, and cross country skiers of all ages and abilities.
History and Trivia
  • Norwottuck means "in the mist of the river."
  • 14,000 rail ties were removed during construction of the path.
  • Look for the concrete "W" whistle posts. These signaled the engineer to blow a warning as they came to a crossing
  • This section of rail was first used in 1887. The last passenger train was in 1932 and the last train to use the track was in 1980. The tracks were removed in 1985 when the Department of Environmental Management purchased it.
  • The Norwottuck trail is a short part of the 104 mile Central Mass Line
     http://www.MassCentralRailTrail.org

Along the Trail

The Connecticut River Bridge

To many, this is the beginning of the trail. Spanning over 1400 feet, this is a good example of a truss-type bridge. The bridge parallels the Calvin Coolidge Bridge and joins Northampton with Hadley. It was originally part of the Massachusetts Central Railroad. Calvin Coolidge, while serving in the Massachusetts General Court, as Lt. Governor, and then Governor, road this rail line before becoming President of the United States. In the '30's, railroad cars full of scrap metal were pushed onto this bridge to help weigh it down against the rising waters of the Connecticut River. The Connecticut River is the largest river in New England, flowing more than 400 miles from Northern New Hampshire to the Atlantic Ocean.

There is parking and bathroom facilities here. If the lot is full there is parking at the Mt. Farms Mall in Hadley or at Station Road in Amherst.

Riding across the Hadley Commons

Much of the trail passes through open farm land. 16,000 years ago, as the last glaciers retreated, the melt water formed Lake Hitchcock that stretched for 157 miles from Hanover, NH to Rocky Hill, CT. This lake drained after 3,000 years. What was left behind is the rich soil that makes the farmland so productive.

The Route 9 tunnel

This tunnel was dug so it would miss the large granite stones buried under the road. These were part of a railroad overpass that originally went over Route 9. The stones were left behind when the road was built up to track level.

For a quick break along the way, Pete's Drive-In, a popular stop on the path is less than 1/2 mile to the west (towards Amherst) from this spot. Here you will find a picnic area, climbing structure with swings for the kids, tools for quick repairs, air and tire patches. A toilet facility is also available for your use.

Station Road parking lot

This was one end of the Trail when it first opened. Since the Grand Opening on July 29, 1993 the trail has seen a tremendous growth of usage by bikers, skaters and walkers. By Spring of 1997 a 1.5 mile extension to this end should be opened bringing the path all the way to the Belchertown line.
A Belchertown Trail that would connect with the Norwottuck Trail was recently voted down by that town.

  
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Rules and Regulations

To ensure the safety of all trail users, please observe the following guidelines:

  1. Stay on the trail
  2. Keep to the right
  3. Bike or roller blade in a straight line, single file
  4. Alert other riders before passing by bell, horn, or verbally
  5. Stop, look and listen before crossing roads
  6. Wear protective headgear.  This is required be state law for children on bicycles 12 years and younger.
  7. The trail will be closed between 10 pm and 5 am. Bicycle commuters using the trail when it is closed do so at their own risk.
  8. After dusk, all users must have proper illumination and reflectors.
  9. Be sure young children are strapped into child carriers attached to or behind your bicycle.
  10. Keep dogs on a leash and clean up any droppings
  11. Respect private property adjacent to the trail

The following are prohibited on the rail trail: motorized vehicles, horses, littering, hunting, camping, open fires, possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages, removing park resources, loitering, fishing, hunting or trapping, jumping from bridges, swimming to or from bridges and throwing, dropping or launching anything from bridges.

More Information

Directions

From South (Springfield, MA/Connecticut): take Route 91 North to exit 19 (Amherst/Northampton). At bottom of ramp go straight through at stop light. Parking lot is first driveway on right.

From North (Greenfield, MA/Vermont): take 91 South to exit 25 (South Deerfield/Route 116). Take left onto 116. At light (intersection of 116, 5 & 10) take right. Pass by Yankee Candle and take left when 116 does. Follow 116 about 10 miles till it "T's" with Route 9 in Hadley and. bear right onto Route 9 (West). Pass first mall (Hampshire), go to second light (Mt. Farms Mall). Enter the Mt. Farms Mall lot. Go to the far right of the mall, behind Bread & Circus, and park near entrance to path.

From West (the Berkshires/ New York): 1)take Mass Pike to exit 4 (W Springfield). Follow signs to Route 91 North. Continue using directions from the south.; or 2)take Route 9 through Northampton. At light before the Calvin Coolidge Bridge (Connecticut River) take a left. Parking lot at first driveway on right.

From East (Worcester/Boston): take Mass Pike to exit 4 (W Springfield). Follow signs to Route 91 North. Continue using directions from the south.

Parking

There is parking at both ends of the trail as well as on Route 9 in Hadley behind the Bread & Circus Market at the Mountain Farms Mall, as Station Road in Amherst and limited parking that provides wheelchair access at the junction of Mill Lane and Southeast Street in Amherst.

Rentals

Valley Bicycle, 8 Railroad St, Hadley (on the rail trail), (800) 831-5437, (413) 584-4466 (In-line Skates, Hybrid Bikes, Trail-A-Bikes, Trailers) or Valley Bicycle, 319 Main St, Amherst, (413) 256-0880 (Bikes).

Public Restrooms

Public Restrooms are available at the parking area at Elwell Recreation Area, or at Pete's Drive In, Hadley.

Link to other area bike paths

The Mass Central Rail Trail
 

   
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The Norwottuck Rail Trail is maintained and controlled by the Massachusetts DEM.  Click the link below to go to the Massachusetts DEM web site.
 

  

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