COCHITUATE RAIL TRAIL

COCHITUATE RAIL TRAIL:

FRAMINGHAM-NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS

-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-

Last Updated: March 16, 2025

Length: Cochituate Rail Trail; 3.3 miles

Carol Getchell Trail; 0.6 miles

Difficulty: Easy. Flat paved rail trail.

Directions:

To start from the Navy Yard Field parking lot in Natick [Southern End]; From the junction of Routes 9 & 27 in North Natick follow Route 27 south for 0.8 miles. Turn right on Washington Ave. The park is on your left.

The Cochituate Rail Trail follows the old Saxonville Branch rail line from the Village of Saxonville in Framingham Southeast, to an active Boston to Worcester commuter line in Natick Center. Built in 1846, the historic Saxonville Branch was used to construct the dam for Lake Cochituate, which supplied water to the City of Boston from 1848 to 1951. The line also serviced the textile mills of Saxonville until 1973. See; COCHITUATE RAIL TRAIL; NATICK or FRIENDS OF SAXONVILLE for more information.

Starting from the Navy Yard Field parking lot in Natick [Southern End]; BIKE STATION, kiosk, playground and sports field & court located here.

Note; The trail will be extended further South, to the MBTA Natick Station, with a connection/ramp to Main St. Construction planned to begin Spring 2028..

The wide, paved Cochituate Rail Trail travels Northwest, along a wooded, industrial corridor. You'll pass by the first of several cement RR Whistle Posts on your right, right before crossing Lake St, followed by General Greene Ave. + See; RR Whistle Post Below. Informational signs all along the route. Pass by a granite 1 Mile Marker at 0.7 miles (0.3 miles future extension South). Mile markers every mile. Here the trail is below grade as you travel underneath a pedestrian bridge along a wooded section. Pass by the lower portion of the Lake Cochituate before crossing a bridge over Route 9 into Framingham at 1 mile. You now follow alongside the center portion of Lake Cochituate passing by Camp Arrowhead on your right. Cross a causeway. Several overlooks of the lake before coming to a Spur Trail at 1.8 miles.

Note; This is the Wonder Bread Spur Trail which travels West, 0.2 miles to Speen St.

Next you'll come a long pedestrian bridge over Route 30 at 2.1 miles.

Note; Right, a Spur Trail will bring you to Route 30, where a 0.2 mile BIKE LANE travels East, up a slight hill to the entrance for COCHITUATE STATE PARK . Restrooms, parking, picnic tables, beach.

Cross the bridge over Route 30, passing by another Spur Trail which takes you back to Route 30. The trail continues Northwest, through a business park, before traveling underneath the I-90 on/off ramps followed by I-90. A cross-light takes you over Old Connecticut Path at 2.8 miles, where you'll cross over Cochituate Brook via an iron bridge. Here the trail follows the brook along your right along a nicely wooded section. Pass by an old RR Semaphore on your right, before coming to School St and a Map Board in Saxonville at 3.3 miles and the end of the trail. + See; RR Signal Below.

Note; From here you can connect North, to the Weston Aqueduct Trail , either on-road or via the Carol Getchell Trail. Cross School St and travel on-road (sidewalk available) along Concord St. Cross a bridge over the Sudbury River and continue North, along Concord St. Here you'll travel past the old Saxonville Mills along your left before coming to Danforth St.

Option A: Continue North, on-road along Concord St, which becomes Elm St, up hill to where the Weston Aqueduct Trail crosses the road after 1.1 miles.

Option B: Travel right, East, down Danforth St. Just before a bridge over the Sudbury River turn left, North, on Sudbury Landing. Pass by the old Danforth Street Bridge (now a pedestrian bridge) on your right and come to the entrance for the Carol Getchell Trail after 0.6 miles. [Mt Bike recommended] This narrow, hard packed dirt, rock & tree root trail travels North, alongside the Sudbury River. The trail starts off utilizing boardwalks along the floodplain. Pass by a set of stairs on your left that lead up to Stapleton School. Pass through a metal fence to a wide grassy area. This is where the Hultman Aqueduct crosses, but no bridge over the river. Pass through another fence as the rocky, rooty trail continues through the woods. Come to the Little Farms Road parking lot after 1.2 miles. A narrow trail continues North, bringing you to the Weston Aqueduct Trail after 1.4 miles.

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.

+ RR Signal:
Railroad Signals direct the engineman on how to proceed. They are categorized into two levels: Permissive and Absolute. Permissive signals alert train operators there is an obstruction on the tracks ahead. They are considered “permissive” because their function is to protect. After the stop, they can continue forward at a slower speed, commonly referred to as the “restricted speed.” An absolute signal occurs at any point of the track where there’s an interruption. They are considered “absolute” because their function is to control. When a train reaches the absolute signal, it must come to a complete stop and stay stopped until the signal indicates it’s safe to proceed. There are different types of Railroad Signals. Semaphores consist of blades, set to different positions, while Light Signals use different color lights/number combinations.

CLICK HERE FOR COCHITUATE RAIL TRAIL MAP

CLICK HERE FOR CAROL GETCHELL TRAIL MAP

BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE

WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER

BIKE IT OR HIKE IT

HOME PAGE