SQUANNACOOK RIVER RAIL TRAIL:
TOWNSEND-GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: July 17, 2022
Length: Squannacook River Rail Trail; 1.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy. Flat stone-dust rail trail.
Directions:
To Start from Townsend; From Route 2 in Leominster take exit 100 to Route 13 north to Townsend. Turn right on Railroad St and follow to Depot St where you'll find a gravel parking lot.
The Squannacook River Rail Trail follows the rail bed of the former Greenville Branch of the Boston and Maine RR. It currently starts in Townsend and heads south towards Groton. For more information visit; SQUANNACOOK RIVER RAIL TRAIL .
Starting from Townsend; BIKE STATION & Map Board located here. The wide stone-dust Squannacook River Rail Trail travels southeast along the old rail bed. You start off along an industrial corridor before entering the woods at 0.5 miles. Travel through a small rock cut and cross Old Meeting House Rd at 1 mile. The trail then parallels Route 119. After 1.7 miles the finished trail currently ends next to Harbor Pond. A walking trail continue straight along the old rail bed (old RR ties still in trail). If biking head left past the Townsend Harbor Church to Route 119. Head right on-road (not recommended for kids on bikes) and you'll come to South St after 1.9 miles. Here you'll find the old Spaulding Grist Mill and a small canal that powered it. Nice views of the Harbor Pond Dam.
Note; Next to the mill is an old RR bridge where the rail trail will continue south to Groton in the future. This middle section is scheduled for construction in Fall 2023. The Groton section is scheduled for Fall 2022.
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BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT