The Coastal Trails Network is an emerging 30-mile, public system of multi-use off-road bicycle and pedestrian trails and bike lanes linking the unique coastal features, town centers, neighborhoods and transportation hubs in the communities of Amesbury, Newbury, Newburyport and Salisbury. In Amesbury you'll find the east-west Amesbury Riverwalk which connects to the east-west Ghost Trail in Salisbury. Where these two trails meet at the Rabbit Road parking lot [3 Trail Hub] you can connect to the north-south Garrison Trail which crosses the Merrimack River to Newburyport. A spur off this trail brings you up to Pine Hill & Ferry Roads where you can connect to MAUDSLAY STATE PARK (Portion of the Merrimack River Trail) or MOSELEY WOODS . From the southern end of the Garrison Trail you can access the north-south Gloria Braunhardt Bike Path in the Little River Trail System. From the eastern end of the Ghost Trail in Salisbury at Lions Park the Eastern Marsh Trail which travels north-south crosses. Heading north the trail goes to the NH line. Heading south the trail leads to the Friedenfels Street parking lot next to the Merrimack River. From here the Gillis Bridge Connector allows you to cross over the Merrimack River to Newburyport where you can connect to the Clipper City Rail Trail & Harborwalk. The Clipper City Rail Trail forms a Loop, while the Harborwalk is along the Merrimack River.  For more information visit; COASTAL TRAILS COALITION . 

The Border to Boston Trail is an emerging 28-mile shared use trail linking eight communities from the New Hampshire border south to Boston’s North Shore. See; BORDER TO BOSTON TRAIL . The Northern Section consists of the Clipper City Rail Trail and Eastern Marsh Trail in Newburyport and Salisbury which are part of the Coastal Trails Network . A gap exists in Georgetown and Boxford where the trail is partially developed. The North Central Section travels through Topsfield, Wenham, Danvers and Peabody. The Border to Boston Trail; North Central Section; Topsfield Linear Common, Wenham Rail Trail, Danvers Rail Trail & Peabody Rail Trail follow the rail bed of the old Danvers & Georgetown RR which was chartered in 1851. In 1855 this line merged into the Newburyport RR and in 1860 it became part of the Boston & Maine RR/ Newburyport Branch. The Grand Wenham Canal may be accessed from the Topsfield Linear Common. In Peabody you connect to the Independence Greenway . Another gap exists to the Border to Boston Trail; South Central Section which consists of the Salem Bike Path, Marblehead Rail Trail, & Swampscott Rail Trail. Another gap exists to the Southern Section which consists of the Lynn Shore & Nahant Beach Reservation & Northern Strand Community Trail . 

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

Last Updated:        August 02, 2023

Length:                  Amesbury Riverwalk; 2.4 miles completed.

                                 Downtown Amesbury Loop; 0.5 miles

Difficulty:              Easy. Flat, paved rail trail.

To start from Downtown Amesbury [Western End]; From I-495 take exit 119 to Route 110 west. From I-95 take exit 88 to Route 110 west. Turn right on Main St and follow to the downtown traffic circle. (Note; Main St turns right along Route 150). Bear right in the traffic circle down Elm St. Take a quick right down Water St. A parking garage will be on your left.

To start from the Rabbit Road parking lot [3 Trail Hub] Amesbury/Salisbury border [Eastern End]; From I-495 take exit 55 to Route 110 east. From I-95 take exit 58 to Route 110 east. Take your first left on Rabbit Rd. Parking lot on right just before the trail crosses road.

The Amesbury Riverwalk winds along the Powwow River following the old Boston & Maine rail bed from Amesbury's historic downtown east to the Carriagetown Marketplace along Route 110. At it's Eastern End it connects to the Ghost Trail and Garrison Trail at the 3 Trail Hub. For more information visit; AMESBURY RIVERWALK .

Starting from the Water Street parking lot/garage [Western End]; Located across from the top parking lot is the old Boston & Maine RR Station. 

Note; To explore the very scenic downtown Amesbury, I have highlighted a 0.5 mile Downtown Amesbury Loop Route; Head right up Water St and cross Elm St. Head left to downtown Amesbury traveling around the Main Street traffic circle and up to the brick promenade with green benches. From here you can admire all the old brick mill buildings dating back to the 1800's along the brick lined sidewalks. There are a lot of places to get a bite or a drink. The building in back of the benches has a plaque reading "Counting house of the textile mills; 1870". Travel through the brick archway in this building and you'll come to a complex of old mill buildings. Follow the brick lined path past an amphitheater and past a small park next to the dammed Powwow River. At the end of the mill complex take a left on Pond St, cross over the river and head left along a paved path, This takes you alongside the river as it travels through the mill complex. An arched bridge crosses over the dam to the small park. Keep following the path along the raging river and you'll come to another bridge over the river. A small waterfall is here. This bridge brings you back to the amphitheater where you can head back through the archway to Main St. If you cross over Main St to a black chain-link fence you can see where the river emerges from under the street. Head left back to Water St and the Water Street parking lot/ garage to complete your Loop.        

Heading East; Travel left down Water St past the brick Carriage Mills along a brick lined path to the old Salisbury Point RR Station on your right. Map Board. This small station was built in 1820, although I don't know if this was its original location. Small park located here. Informational signs. 

Note; Across Water St to your right you'll find a brick lined path that leads north to a bridge over Plumbush Creek. Here a wide sidewalk takes you up past the Senior Center to Railroad St. 

The paved Amesbury Riverwalk begins here. The trail travels around the park alongside both the Powwow River and Plumbush Creek back out to Water St. Turn right over Plumbush Creek and the trail will continue on your right. You travel back above the Powwow River before turning inland where you'll follow the old rail bed along a shaded corridor. Travel underneath Oak St. Look right and you'll soon pass some old RR tracks still in place. Come to some benches and informational boards after a 0.9 miles. An old RR Mile Marker A1/S3 (1 mile to Amesbury/3 miles to Salisbury) is located here. Next you travel underneath I-495, cross Rocky Hill Rd where you'll find another Map Board and come to the Carriagetown Marketplace parking lot after 1.4 miles.

Note; Currently, as of 2023, a short gap east exists here. 

Last Updated:        August 02, 2023

Length:                  Garrison Trail; 2.1 miles

                                 Gloria Braunhardt Bike Path; 1.2 miles

Difficulty:              Garrison Trail; Easy. Mostly flat, paved trail.

                                 Gloria Braunhardt Bike Path; Easy. Mostly flat old paved road w/some stone-dust.  

To start from the Rabbit Road parking lot [3 Trail Hub] Amesbury/Salisbury border [Northern End]; From I-495 take exit 55 to Route 110 east. From I-95 take exit 58 to Route 110 east. Take your first left on Rabbit Rd. Parking lot on right just before the trail crosses road.

To start from Route 113 Park & Ride in Newburyport [Southern End]; From I-95 take exit 57 to Route 113 east. On your right will be the dirt parking lot for the Gloria Braunhardt Bike Path, on your left is the Park & Ride Lot for the Garrison Trail at the far end of the lot.

The Garrison Trail, also referred to as the William Lloyd Garrison Trail, follows I-95 across the John Greenleaf Whittier Bridge and over the Merrimack River from Amesbury to Newburyport. While the John Greenleaf Whittier Bridge is named after the 19th century Amesbury poet and abolitionist, the shared-use path is named after Whittier’s Newburyport contemporary, journalist William Lloyd Garrison. In Amesbury the trail connects to the Ghost Trail and Amesbury Riverwalk at the 3 Trail Hub. In Newburyport you can connect to the Gloria Braunhardt Bike Path in the Little River Trail System, as well as, to MAUDSLAY STATE PARK (Portion of the Merrimack River Trail). For more information visit; LITTLE RIVER TRAIL SYSTEM .

Starting from the Rabbit Road parking lot [Northern End]; A paved trail travels South alongside Rabbit Rd to Route 110. Use the cross-light to connect to the paved Garrison Trail and continue right along Route 110 before the trail turns south again. Mile Markers are imbedded in the trail every tenth mile. First is Mile Marker 1.9. Come to the Old Merrill Road parking lot at 0.3 miles. Map Board. The trail then parallels I-95 crossing over the John Greenleaf Whittier Bridge and over the Merrimack River to Newburyport. Informational signs. Great views of the river and Deer Island on your left. Pass by a spur trail at 1.4 miles. Map Board.

Note; This spur trail leads up to Pine Hill and Ferry roads. Left along Ferry Rd will take you to MOSELEY WOODS . Right along Pine Hill Rd will bring you to MAUDSLAY STATE PARK (Portion of the Merrimack River Trail). 

After 2.1 miles you come to the Route 113 Park & Ride and the O Mile Marker. Map Board and picnic tables. 

Note; [Re-zeroing Mileage] If you travel through the parking lot (restrooms) and out to Route 113 a cross-light will bring you over to the Route 113 parking lot and the start of the Gloria Braunhardt Bike Path in the Little River Trail System after 0.3 miles. Map Board. The Gloria Braunhardt Bike Path starts out as stone-dust as you head South  into the woods but soon follows an old paved road. The pavement in in pretty good condition. The trail itself is not very scenic. A platform looks over the Little River marsh. The trail turns back to stone dust as it turns east to the Hale Street parking lot at 1.2 miles. Map Board.

Last Updated:         August 02, 2023

Length:                   Ghost Trail; 1.7 miles

Difficulty:               Easy. Flat, stone-dust rail trail.

To start from the Rabbit Road parking lot [3 Trail Hub] Amesbury/Salisbury border [Western End]; From I-495 take exit 55 to Route 110 east. From I-95 take exit 58 to Route 110 east. Take your first left on Rabbit Rd. Parking lot on right just before the trail crosses road.

To start from Lions Park in Salisbury [Eastern End]; From I-495 take exit 55 to Route 110 east. From I-95 take exit 58 to Route 110 east. Just before Routes 1 & 1A, take a left on Gardner St, then another left on Lions Way to Lions Park.  

The Ghost Trail is named for the "Ghost" trains that transported early automobile bodies (covered with white canvas shrouds) from Fisher Body in Amesbury through Salisbury to Detroit along the old Boston & Maine rail bed. This section is the Salisbury Branch of the Eastern Railroad which connected Salisbury Point-Salisbury Mills and Amesbury to the main line. This trail connects to the Amesbury Riverwalk & Garrison Trail at the 3 Trail Hub at its Western End and the Eastern Marsh Trail at its Eastern End.

Starting from Rabbit Road parking lot [Western End]; Map Board located here next to the largest solar panel park in New England. 

Note; Left (West) across Rabbit Rd is the start of the Amesbury Riverwalk. SEE ABOVE. South down Rabbit Rd leads to the Garrison Trail. SEE ABOVE.

Heading East along the stone-dust Ghost Trail you travel alongside the solar field and into the woods along a ramrod straight rail trail. After 0.3 miles you'll pass by a Spur Trail on your right.

Note; This Spur Trail leads to PLAY BALL and a parking area.

Continuing along the trail you next come to Bartlett St at 1.2 miles. A small parking area is located here, as well as, a map board and some informational signs. Cross Cushing St and come to an intersection at 1.5 miles. The old rail bed continues straight but the trail utilizes part of a RR junction bed on your right. The trail then turns off this junction, crosses a boardwalk and bridge to an intersection.

Note; The Eastern Marsh Trail crosses here North to the NH border and South to the Merrimack River. SEE BELOW.

The trail continues East into Lions Park parking lot after 1.7 miles. Map Board, sports fields.

Last Updated:        August 02, 2023

Length:                  Eastern Marsh Trail; 3.6 miles.

                                 Gillis Bridge Connector; South Bound; 0.4 miles 

Difficulty:              Easy. Flat, paved rail trail.

To start from the Friedenfels Street parking lot in Salisbury [Southern End]; From Route 1 in Salisbury travel south. Just before the Gillis Bridge over the Merrimack River turn right on Friedenfels St. The parking lot is on your right just before the stone arched tunnel under the old rail bed. 

To start from Lions Park in Salisbury [Northern End]; From I-495 take exit 55 to Route 110 east. From I-95 take exit 58 to Route 110 east. Just before Routes 1 & 1A, take a left on Gardner St, then another left on Lions Way to Lions Park.  

The Eastern Marsh Trail travels north from the Merrimack River along the old Eastern Railroad Branch of the Boston & Maine Railroad in Salisbury. It passes through pristine sections of the Great Marsh with beautiful views and world class bird watching. It connects to the Ghost Trail at Lions Park and continues north to the NH state line. From its Southern End you can use the Gillis Bridge Connector to reach the Clipper City  Rail Trail & Harborwalk in Newburyport. 

Starting from the Friedenfels Street parking lot in Salisbury [Southern End]; Map Board along with a stone tablet with a map of the old Eastern Railroad is located next to a ramp that takes you up to the trail. Here you'll find the East Coast Greenway Map Board.

Note; Left (South) brings you 0.2 miles to an overlook of the Merrimac River where the trail currently ends. The old RR trestle still crosses the river, but contains a gap where a section has been turned permanently to allow for boat traffic. This is the reason the trail will probably never utilize the old trestle. An informational signboard is located here, as well as other points along the trail. Across the river in Newburyport the Clipper City Rail Trail utilizes the same rail bed.

Heading North from the Southern End of the trail; The wide, paved Eastern Marsh Trail passes by the parking lot spur at 0.2 miles before entering the woods along a berm. Mile Markers every 0.1 miles. Informational signs all along the trail. An old RR Mile Marker on your right (These RR markers were placed every mile along the RR tracks). After about 0.5 miles you'll pass by a spur trail out to Route 1on the right. The trail then follows a causeway between a large marsh. You pass an overlook before crossing a culvert over Town Creek and coming to the 1 Mile Marker on your left, then another old RR Mileage Marker on the right. Re-enter the woods and cross Mudnock Rd, Map Board, where the trail turns right before re-entering the woods at 1.4 miles. A ramp brings you up the Elm St. Map Board. Cross-light, bear right then left on-road (residential) along Gardner St, bypassing a section of the old rail bed. You quickly re-join the old rail bed on your left at 1.8 miles. Map Board. Here a boardwalk will bring you to an intersection at 2 miles. Map Board.

Note; The Ghost Trail crosses here. Right leads to the Lions Park parking lot.

Continuing North into deep woods you'll pass by a spur on your left down to Lafayette Rd (Route 1) before crossing a bridge over Lafayette Rd (Route 1) at 2.3 miles. Pass by Partridge Brook Dog Park (out in the middle of the woods) on your right before coming to a Map Board and spur trail on your left.

Note; This spur trail leads to Salisbury Elementary School. 

Pass by another spur trail on your right at 2.7 miles.

Note; This spur trail leads to a playground, as well as, the Partridge Brook Loop Trail. See Below.

 Pass by yet another spur up to Salisbury Elementary School on your left and open fields and a Map Board on your right. Restrooms. You then come to anther spur on your right.

Note; This is the start of the Partridge Brook Loop Trail. Cross the bridge and follow a narrow stone-dust trail past a marsh. Cross another small bridge and travel between the woods and the open field. Cross a 3rd bridge and pass by a playground before you cross a final bridge back to the Eastern Marsh Trail after a 0.3 mile Loop.

Next you'll pass by the Partridge Brook Skate Park on your right. Pass by a bench and the 3.3 Mile Marker and spot another old granite RR Mileage Marker. Come to the end of the trail after 3.6 miles. The old rail bed continues straight undeveloped into NH.

Note; Future plans call for the construction of the Seacoast Greenway through NH.

Note; Right, you'll find the crushed gravel Seabrook Greenway Salisbury Rail Trail Connector. Informational signs about plants along this trail. Cross into NH and come to a Map Board and parking lot off Collins Street at 3.8 miles.

To connect to the Clipper City Rail Trail/Harborwalk Rail Trail via the Gillis Bridge Connector; From the Friedenfels Street parking lot; The paved Gillis Bridge Connector travels alongside Friedenfels St out to Route 1. Here, a SEPARATED BIKE LANE travels South across the Gillis Bridge along the West Side to Newburyport. After 0.4 miles you can access the junction of the Clipper City Rail Trail/Harborwalk Rail Trail on your right where you'll find some sculptures and an overlook of the river..

Note; Right, just before Route 1, the paved Gillis Bridge Connector travels out to the Merrimack River (promenade), then underneath the Gillis Bridge and back to Route 1. Here, a BIKE LANE joins the trail after having crossed North (One-Way) over the Gillis Bridge along the East Side from Newburyport and the Clipper City/Harborwalk Rail Trail. After reaching Newburyport you'll pass by a set of stairs on your left before coming to a paved path off the walkway on the left with a sign for the Harborwalk Rail Trail. Follow this path down to the waters edge where it connects to the Clipper City/Harborwalk Rail Trail at 0.7 miles. .

Last Updated:        August 02, 2023

Length:                  Clipper City/Harborwalk Rail Trail; 3.7 mile Loop

                                 Harborwalk Rail Trail; 0.5 miles

                                 Gillis Bridge Connector; North Bound; 0.7 miles 

Difficulty:              Easy. Flat, paved rail trail. 

To start from the Newburyport MBTA Station (Clipper City Rail Trail) [Southern End]; From Route 1 in Salisbury travel south crossing the Gillis Bridge over the Merrimack River to Newburyport. After 1.1 miles turn right, just before the traffic circle, onto Parker St. The Newburyport MBTA Station is on your left. A fee is charged for parking in the lot. To take your bike on the train to this station visit; MBTA . For information concerning taking your bike on the train visit; MBTA-BIKES .

To start from Cashman Park (Harborwalk) [Northern End]; Take the Merrimac St exit from Route 1 in Newburyport and travel west. Turn right on Sally Snyder Way and into the park. The Harborwalk Rail Trail travels alongside the river. 

To start from the Friedenfels Street parking lot (Eastern Marsh Trail & Gillis Bridge Connector) [Southern End]; The paved Gillis Bridge Connector travels alongside Friedenfels St out to Route 1. Here, a BIKE LANE travels South across the Gillis Bridge to Newburyport. After 0.4 miles you can access the junction of the Clipper City Rail Trail/Harborwalk Rail Trail on your right.

The Clipper City Rail Trail in Newburyport runs from the Merrimack River south along the old Eastern Railroad Branch of the Boston & Maine Railroad to the MBTA Commuter Rail Station where it then Loops northeast back to the river and along the old City Branch rail corridor. It then connects directly with the Harborwalk Rail Trail, which runs alongside the Merrimack River. The Clipper City/Harborwalk Rail Trail is part of a larger envisioned regional trails network, including the Border to Boston Trail, and Merrimack River Trail . 

Starting from the junction of the Clipper City  Rail Trail & Harborwalk (Below the Gillis Bridge next to the Merrimack River) [Northern End]; 

The paved Clipper City Rail Trail travels up to the old rail bed. A 1 Mile Marker located here. Mile Markers located every tenth of a mile. 

Note; Left brings you to a promenade that overlooks the river and the old RR bridge. Several pieces of artwork are located here. This is also where the Gillis Bridge Connector ends after a BIKE LANE (One-Way) that traveled South across the Gillis Bridge, started from the Friedenfels Street parking lot and the Southern End of the Eastern Marsh Trail in Salisbury.

Heading South along the berm you travel over Merrimac St via an old RR bridge. Informational signs, artwork and sculptures are located all along the trail. This is one of my favorite trails. The trail travels through a residential corridor and is well shaded. Cross Washington St which was the location of the old Newburyport Train Station. Map Board. The trail then travels through a sunken corridor with a large stone retaining wall. You travel through a tunnel underneath High St. After crossing Low St via an iron arched bridge the trail opens up. You'll come alongside a giant wind turbine on your right, then a large building. Spot an old RR Mileage Marker on the right that reads N1/B39 (Newburyport 1 mile/Boston 39 miles). Spot a sign on your right for the Haley's Ice Cream at 1 mile. A spur trail on your left will take you there. Outdoor tables and a bike rack available. Kids will love the retro look inside. Come to Parker Street and Mile Marker 0. Map Board. 

Note; If you cross Parker Street the trail takes you alongside the Newburyport MBTA platform and the MBTA parking lot at 1.2  miles. Just South through the parking lot brings you to an old RR Trolley Line. This hard packed dirt, grass and crushed gravel road takes you 3.4 miles through the Martin H. Burns Wildlife Management Area along a power corridor. I have not checked out this trail. For map and information Check Out; TRAIL LINK . This is the same old rail bed used by the Border to Boston route in Byfield & Georgetown, however, this section is blocked by I-95 and so will be bypassed.

Head left along Parker Street via a paved trail. Come to Route 1 after 1.2 miles. Currently, as of August 2023, there is no connection to the next section of the Clipper City Rail Trail off Parker Street further east. Current construction on Route 1 will result in reconstructing the rotary and installing a multiuse pathway along with pedestrian-activated signals for crossing the highway. The trail will then continue alongside Parker Street to the Parker Street parking lot.

Note; To connect to the next section of the Clipper City Rail Trail you'll need to travel on-road, which is tricky getting over Route 1. Your best route currently is to return to the spur  for Haley's Ice Cream, travel through the parking lot to Route 1 and head right to a cross-light over Route 1 to Hill St. To your right is a small path that leads to a parking lot. Travel through the parking lot, across Cherry St, right through another parking lot to Parker Street. Head left on-road and you'll come to the Parker Street parking lot on your left after about 0.5 miles. 

Continuing from the Parker Street parking lot; (Re-zeroing Mileage) Map Board. South across the street is a portion of the undeveloped old rail bed. The wide paved Clipper City Rail Trail travels North past lots of artwork and sculptures along the old City Branch rail corridor. The trail quickly diverts off the old rail bed through the woods for a bit. Travel through a tunnel under High St at 0.4 miles. Cool light sculpture. The trail then follows a residential corridor. At Purchase St the trail detours off the rail bed left then right down Harrison St where you'll pick up the paved trail on your left. Cross Water St to Joppa Park at 0.8 miles. Great views of the Merrimack River. The paved trail continues West alongside the Merrimack River to the American Yacht Club at 1 mile. The trail continues west, then detours around the US Coast Guard facility. Check out the light house. Pass by the Newburyport Port Marina and come to Custom House Way and the Ferry Wharf parking lot (Fee) at 1.4 miles. Map Board. 

Note; Right leads to the Waterfront Park Boardwalk. Biking not allowed. 

Travel West through the parking lot passing a boat dock to another parking lot. Bear right to a wide brick promenade, next to the end of the Waterfront Park Boardwalk at 1.6 miles. Head left (West) past the restaurant and marina to a sidewalk below *Route 1. Head right along the paved trail, underneath the Gillis Bridge to the start of the Clipper City Rail Trail complete your Loop after 2 miles. [Total Loop w/on-road section; 3.7 miles]. 

Note; The paved Harborwalk Rail Trail continues straight a boardwalk briefly before returning you to a paved trail that runs between the river and Cashman Park. You cross by a boat launch where the trail gets a bit narrow as it passes by the parking lot. The trail then ends after 0.5 miles at the North End Boat Club. 

Gillis Bridge Connector:

Note; To connect to the Friedenfels Street parking lot & Eastern Marsh Trail from below *Route 1 via the Gillis Bridge Connector.  Head left along the sidewalk up to the Route 1 on-ramp. Here a BIKE LANE travels North across the Gillis Bridge along the East Side to a paved trail on your right at the end of the bridge. Follow this trail to the Merrimack River (promenade) and underneath the Gillis Bridge to the West Side and out to Friedenfels St. The trail heads left bringing you to the Friedenfels Street parking lot & Eastern Marsh Trail [Southern End] after 0.7 miles.