BLACKSTONE RIVER BIKEWAY; MA

BLACKSTONE-WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS

BLACKSTONE CANAL TOWPATH:

UXBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS

-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-

Last Updated:      April 30, 2025

Length:                Blackstone River Bikeway: Millbury-Worcester; Northern Section; 3 miles

                              Blackstone River Bikeway: Worcester; Northern on-road Section; 2.6 miles

                              Blackstone Canal Towpath; Southern Section; 1.2  miles.

                              Blackstone Canal Towpath; Northern Section; 2.5 miles.

                              Blackstone River Bikeway: Blackstone-Uxbridge; Southern Section; 4.2 miles

                              Middle River Trail; 0.6 miles

Difficulty:            Blackstone River Bikeway: Millbury-Worcester; Northern Section; Moderate. Paved trail, but hilly.

                              Blackstone River Bikeway: Worcester; Northern on-road Section; Easy. Southern Section is on-road and hilly. Moderate. Southern Section is flat with BIKE LANS & CYCLE TRACK. 

                              Blackstone Canal Towpath; Southern Section; Easy. Flat, hard packed gravel & stone-dust trail. 

                              Blackstone Canal Towpath; Northern Section; Moderate. Parts of trail are flat, hard packed dirt, while others are narrow, winding Mt bike trails with roots & rocks. Mt bike recommended.

                              Blackstone River Bikeway: Blackstone-Uxbridge; Southern Section; Easy. Paved rail trail.

                              Middle River Trail; Easy. Stone-dust & boardwalk.

Directions:

Millbury-Worcester; Northern Section:

To start from the Millbury Street parking lot in Worcester/Millbury [Central Section]; From I-90, take exit 94. Take Route 146 north to the Ballard St/Millbury St exit and head south down Millbury St. The parking lot is located on your right, across from Cliff St.

To start from the North Main Street parking lot in Millbury [Southern End]; From I-90, take exit 94. Take Route 146 south to the Route 122A exit. Turn right at the end of the ramp head east on McCracken Rd to the parking lot which is located just down from the exit ramp on your right. Coming from Route 146 northbound, take the Route 122A exit. Turn right at the end of the ramp and the parking lot is located on your right.  

Uxbridge; Central Section:

To Start from the Stanley Woolen Mill parking lot [Southern Section]; From Route 146 take exit 6 to Route 16 east. Pass through Uxbridge and across Route 122 and follow Route 16 out of town. Look for the Stanley Woolen Mill sign on your left and turn left down Cross St (third left from Route 122) to the parking lot behind the old mill.    

To Start from the Hartford Ave parking lot [Northern Section]; From Route 146 take exit 6 to Route 16 east. Follow to Uxbridge and head left (north) on Route 122. After 1.3 miles turn right on Hartford Ave. Travel 1.1 miles. The parking lot will be on your right just before you cross over the river. Continue 2.6 miles north on Route 122, then right on Church St to park at the Plummer's Landing parking lot on the right.

Uxbridge-Blackstone; Southern Section:

To start from the Adams Street parking lot in Uxbridge [Northern End]; From Route 146 take exit 1 to Route 146A. 

From the Northbound Exit turn right to Route 146A and take your first left onto Providence St, then left on Adams St. 

From the Southbound Exit turn right to Route 146A and take your second right onto Providence St, then left on Adams St.

To start from the Millville Lock parking lot in Millville [Central Section]; From Route 146 take exit 1 to Route 146A and head south to Route 5 (Central St). Turn left and travel 1.1 miles to Hope St and the parking lot.

To start from the Canal Street parking lot in Blackstone [Southern End]; From Route 146 in RI take exit 14 to Route 146A and head southeast. Turn left on St Paul St and travel 1.5 miles into MA turning left on Canal St. The parking lot will be on your left.  

To start from the Roosevelt Park parking lot in Blackstone [Southern End]; From Route 146 in RI take exit 14 to Route 146A and head southeast. Turn left on St Paul St and travel 1.7 miles into MA turning right into the park. This is just before the river crossing. Park at the back of the parking lot, next to the playground. The access trail travels past the playground.

The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor is a special type of National Park. It is a region that covers nearly 400,000 acres located from Worcester County in Massachusetts down to Providence County in Rhode Island. The Federal government does not own or manage the land, instead, along with the two state governments, local municipalities, businesses and many local organizations, they work to protect the Valley’s special identity. The Blackstone River Bikeway traverses this corridor running from Worcester, MA South, to Providence, RI, following the Blackstone River and former Blackstone Canal. In Worchester, the Northern Section mostly follows BIKE LANES through town, with one on-road section, before traveling South, through Millbury. The Central Section follows the Blackstone Canal Towpath, travels through the Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park. This park is operated in conjunction with the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Straddling the town line between Uxbridge and Northbridge is a 1000 acre natural area offering walking and hiking paths, canoe access, picnic areas and a broad expanse of the Blackstone River known as Rice City Pond, which is a great area for watching wildlife. The Blackstone Canal was built to link Central MA to the Atlantic via Providence, RI. Between 1828 and 1848, segments of the river were paralleled by the Canal on which horse-drawn boats carried freight and passengers between Worcester and Providence. The Southern Section utilizes the old Air Line Railway bed from Uxbridge, South, to Blackstone, where you cross into Woonsocket, RI. See; Blackstone River Bikeway; RI . For more information visit; BLACKSTONE HERITAGE CORRIDOR & BLACKSTONE RIVER & CANAL HSP & BLACKSTONE RIVER VALLEY NHC . In Uxbridge, you can access the Southern New England Trunkline Trail . Despite its name the Southern New England Trunkline Trail does not follow any part of the Southern New England Railway, a railroad intended to run from Palmer, MA to Providence, RI, whose right-of-way was partially constructed but never completed. It proved to be the ill-fated attempt by the Grand Trunk Railroad to disrupt established and stiff railroad competition in the burgeoning New England market. By the time the Southern New England Railway was chartered and plotted in 1910, three other railroad lines were already operating in the same territory, serving the same port (Providence, RI), all while traversing routes selected for their operational benefits. Rather, this railroad was built as the Norfolk County Railroad, East of the Blackstone Station, and the Southbridge & Blackstone Railroad, West of the station to the Connecticut state line. Later, the route became part of the New York and New England Railroad, which was absorbed by the New Haven Railroad. It is built upon a segment of the former right-of-way of the New Haven Railroad's Midland Division, which operated between Boston and Putnam, CT. For more information visit; THE AIR LINE & SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND RAILWAY .

The Blackstone River Bikeway is part of the EAST COAST GREENWAY , a planned biking & hiking route stretching 3,000 miles from Maine South, to Florida. When complete it will traverse 15 states with a mostly off-road path.

Millbury-Worcester; Northern-Section:

Starting from the North Main Street parking lot in Millbury [Southern End]; The Blackstone River Bikeway currently only heads North, so cross over the off-ramp for Route 146. A cross light has been installed. Travel across Route 146 via the pedestrian bridge that runs alongside auto bridge. Notice the bridges color scheme of purple. All along this trail, the bridges have a color scheme and some interesting iron work. The bridge takes you over Route 146 and the Blackstone River, then underneath Route 122A and down alongside the river. On your right is where the old McCracken Bridge used to cross the river. A new blue access bridge is now in its place. A blue metal fence guides you between the river on your right and the active railroad tracks to your left. Lots of River Birch trees along the river. Next, you'll cross over the Worchester Flood Diversion Channel flowing into the river via two blue painted trestle bridges at 0.5 miles. An active railroad bridge crosses here as well on your left. Cross another blue trestle bridge over the river. After passing through open fields you travel underneath I-90 and then a second blue overpass where the trail heads down next to the river. If you look left you can see the large rail yard for the Providence & Worcester Railroad. After passing under Routes 20 & 146 (green bridges), you travel up to a Spur Trail at 1.2 miles. 

Note; Right takes you South, up to Route 20 East.

You'll cross over a boundary marker separating Millbury and Worchester and come to a second Spur Trail at 1.4 miles.

Note; This trail takes you South, up to Route 20 West.

You'll reach the Millbury Road parking lot at 1.5 miles. A Map Board is located here but only shows the section of trail located in Worchester. A BIKE STATION is also located here. Next you'll cross a green iron bridge over some wetlands and follow a nice wooden fence with the Blackstone River on your left. After traveling underneath Route 146 (green bridge), the trail then parallels Route 146 on your right and railroad tracks to your left.. This area is full of wildflowers and other plantings. Travel underneath the green Blackstone River Road Bridge and come to an intersection at 2.3 miles.

Note; A Spur Trail right takes you East up to Blackstone River Rd.

Continue straight alongside the river past the shopping plaza to a crosswalk over the access road. Continue North, alongside the access Rd which crosses over the river. Just before you come to McKeon St a paved trail comes in from the right. 

Note; Straight, North, brings you to McKeon St, where you'll have to use a cross-light to get over to the *Blackstone Heritage Corridor Visitor Center at Worchester.

Instead head right along the paved trail which travels North, underneath McKeon St, alongside the river and up to the *Blackstone Heritage Corridor Visitor Center at Worchester where the paved trail ends after 3 miles. Restrooms, water fountain, and picnic tables located at the Visitor Center. This is the start of the Blackstone River, where Mill Brook and the Middle River merge. 

Note; You can also access BLACKSTONE GATEWAY PARK and the Middle River Trail along the Middle River. Exit the Visitor Center out to McKeon Rd and head right, West, across the RR tracks to the start of the trail on your right. Benches, informational boards located along this trail. Heading North, you cross over the Middle River via a small bridge. To your right is a small dam and RR bridge. A series of boardwalks travel along the river and marsh with overlooks. Other sections are stone-dust. Two different bridges cross the river but all lead to the boardwalk that travels the opposite bank. Finally the stone-dust trail winds out to McKeon Rd after 0.7 miles. See; Blackstone Gateway Park Map Below.

Cross McKeon Rd to the College of the Holy Cross campus. Here you can explore the college. Note; The campus is on a hill so some uphill climbs lie ahead. See; HOLY CROSS CAMPUS MAP .

Worcester; On-Road Section:

Starting from the *Blackstone Heritage Corridor Visitor Center at Worchester; [Continuing Mileage] To continue North, to Union Station in Worcester and the start of the Blackstone River Bikeway, you'll need to travel on-road. From the North Side of the *Blackstone Heritage Corridor Visitor Center at Worchester travel across Route 146 via the red pedestrian bridge to Vernon and Millbury Streets. Travel right, North, on-road [Not recommended for kids on bikes] along Millbury St (shoulder gets wider/sidewalk available). Millbury St parallels Route 146. Travel up and over a hill past 5th Ave. Just past Whitney Ave you'll come to a crosswalk at 4 miles. Head left across Millbury St to a wide sidewalk that takes you underneath I-290 to Quinsigamond Ave. Several cross-walks take you to a wide sidewalk that travels North, alongside Quinsigamond Ave. Past Ashmont Ave, you'll continue along a BIKE LANE. Pass by Crompton Park & Crompton Skatepark and come to a 5-way intersection at 4.6 miles. Bear right, East, along Lamartine St (Not Lafayette, which is also on your right) following a BIKE LANE. Come to another 5-way intersection.

Note; If you continue straight, East, along Green Island Blvd (BIKE LANE) it will bring you to POLAR PARK . Polar Park is a baseball park, serving as the home of the Worcester Red Sox, a Minor League Baseball team competing at the Triple-A level and an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.

Head left, North, along a paved trail on Hermon St. Travel through a tunnel, underneath the RR bridge, out to Francis McGrath Blvd. Here a CYCLE TRACK (SEPARATED BIKE LANE) travels Northeast to Green St at 5.4 miles. Continue straight along a double-wide sidewalk past a Dog Park and along Foster St past the WRTA center to Front St. Turn right, East and you'll come to Washington Square and Union Station in Worcester after 5.6 miles and the end/start of the Blackstone River Bikeway. Be sure to check out the interior of this 1911 granite structure with its marble walls and domed ceiling. MBTA Station that travels to Boston.

Uxbridge-Northbridge; Central Section:

Blackstone Canal Towpath; Southern Section:

Starting from the Stanley Woolen Mill parking lot in Uxbridge [Southern End]; A Map Board along with trail Maps is located here. Cross the wooden bridge over the Blackstone Canal to the Towpath, which heads left. The first of several informational signs is located here. Follow the hard packed gravel Towpath North, alongside the old Blackstone Canal. You pass by a picnic area, then cross over a 1917 spillway that drains into the Blackstone River to your right. Here the trail surface improves. After a mile you come to a bridge over the Canal.

Note; This bridge leads to the River Bend Farm Visitor Center and parking lot. There you'll find picnic tables, rest rooms, a drinking fountain and Maps. Be sure to check the upstairs museum. The Visitor Center is located in a renovated barn from the old farm. 

Continuing along the Towpath you'll come to a dam between the Canal and river, along with a gate. There used to be a Lock here but it was converted to a gate when the Canal was converted to a Power Canal to generate power for the Stanley Woolen Mill. Great views of a stone arch bridge carrying Hartford Ave. More picnic tables and a boat launch located here. Head left over the Canal and up to the Hartford Ave parking lot at 1.2 miles. 

Blackstone Canal Towpath; Northern Section:

Continuing from the Hartford Ave parking lot in Uxbridge [Southern End]; A Mt bike is recommended as the trail is narrow and steep in spots and much less developed. [Continuing Mileage] Cross Hartford Ave from the parking lot and travel North, through the grass field past a Map Board. You enter the woods and follow the wide, hard packed dirt, Goat Hill Trail that starts off fairly smooth. The trail travels a ridge line along Goat Hill with the Canal below and Rice City Pond and the river all merged together. The trail narrows and contains more rocks and tree roots until you come to an intersection. Turn right at the sign for the Lock and travel down a short gully to a wooden bridge over the old Goat Hill Lock. This returns you to the old Canal Towpath at 2.1 miles in Northbridge. Head left along the hard packed dirt towpath which is flat but still contains many tree roots. The Canal is dry along this section. You briefly come alongside the Blackstone River and cross a small bridge at 2.5 miles. Caution; the trail is narrow in spots as it fronts the rivers tributaries. At 2.8 miles the trail travels through some fields before bringing you back along the Canal. Trail improves and becomes wider and smoother. You come to the Plummer's Landing parking lot next to Church St at 3.7 miles. Map Board located here. Across the street is the old Plummer's Landing stone foundation. This was the site of an 1836 trading house built along a Canal Basin and Lock 26.  

Note; You can return to the Hartford Ave parking lot on-road from here. Not recommended for kids on bikes as the roads have narrow shoulders. [Re-zeroing Mileage] From the parking lot head right, East, on Church St crossing over the Canal. You'll pass by the Spaulding Aldrich Recreation Area on your right, which has picnic tables and access to the Blackstone River. A trail also leads from the parking lot here to the Towpath along the Canal. After crossing over the river you'll come to Quaker St after a 0.25 miles. Turn right, South and ascend a small hill to an intersection at 0.5 miles. Continue straight along Quaker St which is now less trafficked. You'll encounter another long sustained hill climb before passing by the parking area for Lookout Rock at 1.7 miles. Downhill to Wolf Hill Rd where you'll turn right. Slight uphill climb around Wolf Hill before descending along Upton Rd after crossing the town line. This brings you to Hartford Ave at 2.8 miles where you turn right, West. This is a more trafficked road, but it also has a wider shoulder. Pass by the parking lot for the King Phillip's trailhead which leads up to Lookout Rock and travel over a causeway past Rice City Pond then over the Blackstone River followed by the Blackstone Canal before returning to the Hartford Ave parking lot after 3.2 miles.

Blackstone-Uxbridge; Southern Section:

Continuing from the Northern End of the Blackstone River Bikeway; RI [North Smithfield, RI Granite Mile Marker 20]; [Continuing Mileage from RI Mile Marker 20] The wide, paved Blackstone River Bikeway travels through Blackstone, quickly come to an overlook of the Blackstone River. The old Southern New England Railway crossed the river here, however, the RR bridge is long gone. 

Note; Across the river the old Air Line Railway rail bed continues Northeast, through Blackstone, however, as of 2025, is undeveloped. Future plans will develop this section and connect to the Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail , in Bellingham.

Note; A Spur Trail leads to the Roosevelt Park parking lot. Playground, Porto-Potty and sports fields.

Along the trail are stones with nature engravings. The trail turns West, up a slight hill along the Blackstone Viaduct. The Blackstone Viaduct, or the New York & New England Railroad Viaduct is an historic landmark. The viaduct was built in 1872 by the Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroad and the American Bridge Company. The viaduct is 1,600 feet long structure, consisting of masonry arches and earthen embankments. Cross the stone arch bridge (arches below) followed by a bridge over Mill St, Canal St, the old Blackstone Canal and St Paul St before coming to the Canal Street parking lot at 20.5 miles. Picnic tables & BIKE STATION. Continuing Northwest, you immediately cross an old RR bridge over the Blackstone River. To your left an active RR crosses the river. Cross another old RR bridge over Canal St. Pass by wooden [SNETT Mile Marker 7] at 20.8 miles. These wooden Mile Markers correspond to the SNETT trail and are located every 0.5 miles. Not sure where these markers originated. Another bridge over Main St brings you past a small pocket playground. Here you can access the town of Blackstone. Travel through a tunnel underneath Church St. Cross two more bridges over a fork of the Blackstone River (Head Pond) before entering the woods. Active RR line along your left. Another tunnel takes you underneath Route 122, before coming to the Triad Bridge at 22 miles in Millville. Here you cross over the Blackstone River and an active RR bridge on an old RR bridge. Looking right you'll see the old abutments for a third RR bridge that would have crossed overhead (Built in the late 1800's, this tiered bridge crisscrosses the Blackstone River at three different heights to allow three railroad lines to intersect and cross the Blackstone River. The third tier, however, was never built as the Titanic Railroad went out of business before it was completed.). Come to a bike rack and benches at 22.4 miles.

Note; Here a gravel path heads North, down to the old stone Millville Lock (1828) next to the Blackstone River.

Continuing along the trail you'll pas by an old cement RR Whistle Post. + See; RR Whistle Post Below, before coming to the Millville Lock parking lot at 22.9 miles. Map Board. Cross Central St where the trail travels through a more residential corridor. Cross into Uxbridge and travel through a deep rock cut and underneath some power transmission lines at 3.3 miles, as the trail turns West, before crossing a high berm. The trail then turns off the old rail bed bringing you down to the Adams Street parking lot and the end of the trail after [4.2 miles from RI border] [24.2 miles] Map Board & BIKE STATION.

Note; Future plans call for continuing the trail North, to eventually connect into the Millbury section. As of 2025, it is in the Design Phase.

Note; The old hard packed dirt rail bed continues West, to Route 146A. The former Air Line Railway bed continues undeveloped, on the other side of this highway, before terminating at Route 146. On the other side of Route 146 the Southern New England Trunkline Trail travels Northwest. Future plans call for connecting the SNETT and Blackstone River Bikeway via a route that won't utilize the old rail bed. As of 2025 it is in the Design Phase.

Old Railroad Equipment:

+ RR Whistle Post:
The Whistle Post, was a post with a large "W" engraved or painted on it. This meant the railroad engineers were to start sounding the trains Whistle. The Whistle posts were usually placed 0.25 miles in advance of a road crossing, bridges, tunnels and other points. Usually, there would be a post placed on both sides of the crossing, covering both directions.

HH

CLICK HERE FOR BLACKSTONE RIVER BIKEWAY; MA MAP

CLICK HERE FOR BLACKSTONE RIVER VALLEY INTERACTIVE MAP

CLICK HERE FOR BLACKSTONE CANAL TOWPATH MAP

CLICK HERE FOR BLACKSTONE GATEWAY MAP

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