WACHUSETT AQUEDUCT TRAIL:
SUDBURY RESERVOIR TRAIL:
BERLIN-MARLBOROUGH-NORTHBOROUGH-SOUTHBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: November 05, 2024
Length: Wachusett Aqueduct Trail; Berlin-Northborough Section; 4.5 miles
Wachusett Aqueduct Trail; Northborough Section; 2.1 miles
Wachusett Aqueduct Trail West; Southborough Section; 0.2 to 0.5 miles
Wachusett Aqueduct Trail East; Southborough Section; 4.8 miles
Southborough; Sudbury Reservoir Trail; 5 miles
Difficulty: Wachusett Aqueduct Trail; Moderate. Flat, hard packed grass berm. Hilly in spots. Mt Bike recommended. Best time to ride the trail is in the Spring before the grass gets thick. Avoid after heavy rains.
Directions:
To start from North Brook parking lot in Berlin for the Wachusett Aqueduct Trail [Western End]; From I-495 take exit 67 to Route 62 west. After 3+ miles cross the RR tracks and the parking lot is on your left. To access the trail travel left up Derby Rd. You'll come to the green gate and start of the trail on your left after 0.2 miles. Note; You can also access the Lester Ross Dam Loop Trail from this parking lot. See Map Below.
To start from the Casey Field parking lot in Northborough for the Wachusett Aqueduct Trail [Central Section]; From I-495 take exit 63B to Route 20 west. After 2+ miles turn left on E Main St. Follow 0.7 miles to Casey Field on your left.
To start from Northboro Road in Southborough for the Wachusett Aqueduct Trail [Western End] & Sudbury Reservoir Trail [Eastern End]; From I-495 take exit 62 to Simarando Rd and head left. Turn left on Northboro Rd and travel 1.2 miles to off road parking on your right by the pumping station. Trail crosses road just ahead.
The Aqueduct Trail System is an ongoing collaboration between the Mass Water Resources Authority and Metropolitan Area Planning Council. The focus is to identify and develop a connected trail system along the four aqueducts (Cochituate, Sudbury, Wachusett, Weston). Starting from the Berlin, the Wachusett Aqueduct Trail travels South through Northborough, then East to the Sudbury Reservoir in Southborough. The Weston Aqueduct Trail begins in Framingham and travels East, to the Weston Reservoir in Weston. The Sudbury Aqueduct Trail begins from the Sudbury River Reservoir in Framingham and travels East to Newton. The Cochituate Aqueduct Trail starts from Natick and travels East, to Newton. See; Cochituate Aqueduct Trail , Sudbury Aqueduct Trail , Wachusett Aqueduct Trail & Weston Aqueduct Trail . For more information visit; AQUEDUCT TRAILS , WACHUSETT AQUEDUCT TRAIL & SUDBURY RESERVOIR TRAIL .
The Wachusett Aqueduct Trail follows the path of the Wachusett Aqueduct. Opened in 1905, the Wachusett Aqueduct extends from the Wachusett Reservoir in Clinton, East to the Sudbury Reservoir in Southborough. The Cosgrove Aqueduct, also called the Cosgrove Tunnel, forms part of the water supply system for the communities of the greater Boston. It is a man-made tunnel connecting the Eastern End of the Wachusett Reservoir to the John J. Carroll Water Treatment Plant in Marlborough. The tunnel came on line in 1965, replacing the Wachusett Aqueduct as the main conduit used to deliver water from the Wachusett Reservoir. The Wachusett Aqueduct Trail travels South through Berlin & Northborough, then East through Marlborough and Northborough to the Sudbury Reservoir in Southborough.
WACHUSETT AQUEDUCT TRAIL; CLINTON East to SOUTHBOROUGH:
CLINTON SECTION:
The Wachusett Aqueduct starts from the Wachusett Reservoir in Clinton, however, the Wachusett Aqueduct Trail is not accessible, as it travels through a tunnel to Berlin. In Clinton, you may access the Mass Central Rail Trail; Barre-Clinton , from the Wachusett Reservoir.
BERLIN/NORTHBOROUGH SECTION:
Starting from Derby Road in Berlin [Northeastern End]; Travel past the green gate down a grass trail to reach the Wachusett Aqueduct (I believe the Aqueduct travels underneath Derby Rd heading Northwest). Here the Wachusett Aqueduct Trail travels atop the Aqueduct along a grass trail. A single track makes the going easier. To your left will be a RR Line just below a dyke for the Lester G Ross Dam.
Note; See Map Below for the Lester Ross Dam Loop Trail that travels atop the dyke.
This open corridor follows the power lines Southeast. Pass by a stone Aqueduct Gatehouse after 0.5 miles before a sharp turn takes you across Linen St. Cross Jones Rd at 1.5 miles, followed quickly by Crosby Rd. Cross Belleview Rd at 2 miles and cross into Northborough. Travel up to and across Whitney St at 2.9 miles. Here the trail travels downhill underneath I-290 bringing you to some RR tracks. Caution; You'll need to carry your bike over the tracks. Come to an entrance road for the Hope Group after 3.5 miles. Need to bypass a section of the Aqueduct here, via an on-road gap of 0.5 miles. Head right out to and across Bearfoot Rd. Caution no crosswalk. Head left, then right on-road along Colburn St and take your first right along Rice Ave. You'll pick up the Wachusett Aqueduct Trail again on your right at 4 miles. The grass trail travels South, atop the Aqueduct, along an open corridor, before returning to Rice Ave & Allen St after 4.5 miles. On your right is the Edmond Hill Woods parking lot. Map Board.
Note; The trail continues across the road, however, as of 2024 it is closed at the Wachusett Aqueduct Bridge (The Bridge is currently closed and fenced off). Future plans will reconstruct this bridge.
To detour around this gap travel South, on-road down Allen St, crossing Hudson St. To your right is the spectacular stone arched Wachusett Aqueduct Bridge that crosses the Assabet River. Continue up Allen St to E Main St and head right, South. You'll pick up the Wachusett Aqueduct Trail on your left after 0.4 miles. If you continue down E Main St you'll come to the Casey Field parking lot in Northborough on your left.
NORTHBOROUGH SECTION:
Starting from Casey Field parking lot in Northborough [Re-zeroing Mileage]; Head right, North, up E Main St, along a narrow paved path to reach the Wachusett Aqueduct Trail on your right.
Note; The trail continues Northwest, across the road, however, as of 2024 it is closed at the Wachusett Aqueduct Bridge (The Bridge is currently closed and fenced off). Future plans will reconstruct this bridge.
Head right, Southeast, past the green gate, along a grass lined berm. When you approach Route 20 after 0.2 miles bear left down and underneath Route 20. This open path follows a power line, with the occasional tree root. Cross Maple St at 0.5 miles where you travel past Bartlett Pond on your right. Come to a green gate on your left at 0.8 miles.
Note; If you continue straight the trail ends at a culvert, however, nice access to the pond.
Head past the gate up to Bartlett St and head right, on-road, to a cross-walk. Return to the Aqueduct past another green gate across the road. Informational sign. I haven't checked out this next section, as the path was not mowed. It travels East, atop the Aqueduct, following the power lines before the trail turns Southeast, bringing you to Bartlett St at 1.7 miles. I believe the trail continues another 0.4 miles, but then ends at some RR tracks. Past the RR tracks is a restricted area through the Carroll Treatment Plant in Marlborough.
MARLBOROUGH SECTION:
Only a sliver of the Wachusett Aqueduct travels through Marlborough and it is a restricted area through the Carroll Treatment Plant.
SOUTHBOROUGH SECTION:
Starting from the *Ward Road parking area; 3 Trails w/markers accessible from here: The blue Wachusett Aqueduct Trail, the gold Sudbury Reservoir Trail and the rectangular Boroughs Loop Trail. Head North, past the gate, along a gravel road. This brings you to a bridge over the Wachusett Open Channel at 0.2 miles.
Wachusett Aqueduct Trail West:
Heading West; The Wachusett Aqueduct Trail travels along the Southern Side of the Wachusett Open Channel, along a grass path w/single track. Mt Bike recommended. After 0.6 miles you come to a stone Water Gate? Looks similar to a Lock. This was as far as I traveled. The trail continues West, to the John J Carroll Water Treatment Plant, however, the Treatment Plant is restricted, so I'm not sure how much further you can travel.
Sudbury Reservoir Trail/Wachusett Aqueduct Trail East:
Heading East; This section of the Wachusett Aqueduct Trail is also referred to as the Sudbury Reservoir Trail. The grass trail w/single track follows the Northern Side of the Wachusett Open Channel, traveling underneath I-495 and out to Northboro Rd at 0.4 miles. Cross the road and continue South, past the green gate, continuing along the Northern Side of the Channel. The trail is rooty in spots. Cross Northboro Rd followed by Route 30 at 1 mile. Stairs across road take you back down to trail. Mileage Markers begin here and are located every 0.25 mile. Come to Lynbrook Rd where the trail travels East, along the Southern Side of the Channel. Come to a bridge across the Channel at 1.4 miles. Cross this bridge to a kiosk for the Beals Preserve. Continue East along the Southern Side of the Channel. Come To Deerfoot Road at 2 miles. Small dam here. Beautiful stone buildings (Burnett Mansion grounds) across the Channel. Informational signs. Continuing East, bear left at the open field and come to Parkerville Rd. Head left across the Sudbury Reservoir, then turn right into Sharp Field (parking) at 2.3 miles, where the trail follows the gravel road Southeast. Bear right back along the Northern Side of the Sudbury Reservoir. Cross a small bridge, then skirt right around a sports field out to Middle Rd. Head right around a small inlet and the trail continues on your right following the power lines. Up on your left is the Southborough Rural Cemetery. Come to the Route 85 parking lot at 3.1 miles. Map Board. Head right, on-road, along a narrow shoulder. Spot trail signs across the road, where power lines head up a hill. Cross over to the gate (Caution; no crosswalk & high speed traffic), where the trail continues up a slight hill, along the power lines. The Reservoir is along your right. The trail soon bears right off the power line.
Note; This is the roughest section of the trail with rocks and lots of tree roots. Narrow.
You will pass by a scenic rock outcropping jutting into the Reservoir. Nice spot to take a break. You emerge on Partridge Hill Rd after 3.4 miles. Head right down to White Bagley Rd, then left, North.
Note; The narrow, rough dirt trail parallels White Bagley Rd to Route 30 along this section. If biking I would ride on-road (low traffic).
The trail returns to the road a couple of times to bypass small inlets. The third time to cross over some RR tracks. Head right through a Red Pine forest where the trail heads left, along the grassy power line. Emerge at the intersection of Boston Rd & Route 30 after 4.5 miles. Map Board. The Wachusett Aqueduct Trail continues East, on-road along Route 30, across the Reservoir.
Note; The Sudbury Reservoir Trail continues across Route 30 (Caution; No crosswalk or light). Head right and pick up the grassy, rooty trail on your left past a gate, just before Route 30 crosses the Reservoir. The trail follows the power line North, along the West Side of the Reservoir. Come to a small peninsula that juts out into the Reservoir and the trail turns inland, West, taking you up to **Framingham Road after 5 miles.
Note; You can return to the *Ward Road parking area via an On-Road Route (only 3.3 miles vs. 5 miles, retracing your route). Cross **Framingham Road (Caution; No crosswalk) and travel West, up East Main St (low traffic) then down across Route 30 and along Main St at 0.5 miles. Places to get refreshments. Scenic route through town (sidewalk available). Pass by Fay School (1866) and pick up a paved path along your left. Come to Deerfoot Road after 1.4 miles. Past here the paved path soon ends and the road narrows with no shoulder, so head left down Deerfoot Rd and pick up the Sudbury Reservoir Trail on your right. Continue East, back along the Wachusett Open Channel, returning to the*Ward Road parking area after 3.3 miles [8.3 mile Loop].
Continuing East, on-road along Route 30 (narrow shoulder), across the Reservoir you'll come to Central St after 4.8 miles.
Note; Future plans call for the trail to head left, North, up along the Peninsula, then South back along the Peninsula, to Stony Brook Rd & Route 30, next to Sudbury Dam. The proposed Peninsula Trail (part of the Wachusett Aqueduct Trail) would be 1.6 miles and will serve as a future connection to Framingham’s Western End of the Weston Aqueduct Trail, which is not yet open to the public. See; Weston Aqueduct Trail & WESTON AQUEDUCT CONNECTOR TRAIL .
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CLICK HERE FOR AQUEDUCT TRAIL SYSTEM MAP
CLICK HERE FOR WACHUSETT AQUEDUCT TRAIL; NORTHBOROUGH SECTION (Phase 1 & 2 open) MAP
CLICK HERE FOR WACHUSETT AQUEDUCT TRAIL; SOUTHBOROUGH SECTION MAP
CLICK HERE FOR WACHUSETT AQUEDUCT TRAIL; SOUTHBOROUGH SECTION MAP
CLICK HERE FOR SUDBURY RESERVOIR TRAIL MAP
CLICK HERE FOR SUDBURY RESERVOIR TRAIL CONNECTOR TRAIL MAP
CLICK HERE FOR WACHUSETT AQUEDUCT TRAIL; BERLIN SECTION MAP
CLICK HERE FOR LESTER ROSS DAM LOOP TRAIL MAP
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BIKE IT OR HIKE IT