HOUSATONIC RAIL TRAIL:
HOUSATONIC, MASSACHUSETTS
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: June 22, 2024
Length: Housatonic Rail Trail; 3.2 miles total. Southern Section; 0.6 miles. Northern Section; 2.6 miles.
Difficulty: Southern Section; Easy. Flat rail trail with crushed gravel. Northern Section; Slight grade. Hard packed dirt, grass & cinder.
Directions:
To Start from the Greenlawn Cemetery parking area [Southern End]; From I-90 take exit 3 to Route 41 south and travel 3 miles. On your left is a small parking area next to Pixley Hill Road. Continue south to Main St at 5.6 miles and turn left. Bear right on Oat St and follow to Van Deusenville Rd and turn right. Take the 4th right into Greenlawn Cemetery and follow to the back of the cemetery where you'll find a small parking area.
The Housatonic Rail Trail follows the old rail bed of the former Housatonic RR or Berkshire RR. Not exactly sure. The Southern Section has been upgraded, while the Northern Section is partially developed but very ridable.
Housatonic Rail Trail; Southern Section:
Starting from the Greenlawn Cemetery parking area; The trail crosses here.
Note; Heading South, the crushed gravel Housatonic Rail Trail follows a wooded corridor, with fields along both sides. After 0.25 miles, the old rail bed continues as a dirt single track, with old RR tracks still in place along your left. Large solar field on your right. After only 0.3 miles, the trail ends at AmeriGas, just before Van Deusenville Rd, where the old rail line would have crossed and merged with the active RR line.
Heading North, the crushed gravel Housatonic Rail Trail follows a wooded corridor to Main St at 0.3 miles. A cross-walk leads to the Housatonic Rail Trail; Northern Section.
Housatonic Rail Trail; Northern Section:
Starting from Main Street; [Continuing Mileage]; The Housatonic Rail Trail enters the woods heading North, starting out as a narrow, single-track, hard packed dirt trail, with some tree roots. Residential corridor. The trail soon widens and is very ridable. Cross Pixley Hill Rd at 1 mile and bare right up the road, where the trail continues on your left, heading North into deep woods. Isolated. Starts out as a narrow, hard packed dirt trail. Could be some mucky areas after heavy rains. Slight uphill grade. Trail widens and has a cinder base, left over from the RR days, as you follow a ridgeline. Williams River below left. Cross a medium berm at 1.6 miles with drop offs along both sides. Come to a Spur Trail on your left at 2.3 miles.
Note; This hard packed dirt Spur Trail takes you down to an old cement pad overlooking the Williams River. To your right is a very scenic gorge and falls. Appears to be the site of a former mill, which would have utilized the river for power.
Continuing along the Housatonic Rail Trail you quickly pass by a residential home (hangs over part of the gorge) and travel through a rock cut. Here the trail travels alongside the river briefly, before coming to Pixley Hill Rd & Great Barrington Rd after 2.9 miles. Parking for a couple of cars here.
HH
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WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT
