MASS CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL; NORWOTTUCK BRANCH

AMHERST-NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS

MASS CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL; WILLIAMSBURG BRANCH

NORTHAMPTON-WILLIAMSBURG, MASSACHUSETTS

-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-

Last Updated:      October 19, 2026

Length:                Mass Central Rail Trail: Norwottuck Branch; 11.4 miles

                               Hadley Dyke Trail; 1.5 miles   Loop; 2 miles

                               UMass Bikeway Commuter Trail (Swift Way); 2.1 miles. [Loop; 3.4 miles]

                               Mass Central Rail Trail: Williamsburg Branch; 5.5 miles

                               Look Park Loop Trail; 1.5 miles

Difficulty:            Mass Central Rail Trail: Norwottuck Branch; Easy. Mostly flat, paved rail trail. 

                               Hadley Dyke Trail; Easy. Flat, hard packed dirt & grass.

                               UMass Bikeway Commuter Trail (Swift Way); Easy. Flat paved trail & BIKE LANE. [Loop; Moderate. Hilly. BIKE LANE and narrow paved trail]

                               Mass Central Rail Trail: Williamsburg Branch; Easy. Paved rail trail with slight grade one direction.

                                Look Park Loop Trail; Easy. Flat paved trail.

Directions:

From I-91: Northampton Section.

Northbound: Take exit 25 and continue to the Route 9 traffic circle. Take the Damon Rd exit. On your right is the Elwell State Park parking lot [Mass Central; Norwottuck Branch; Western Section]. To start from King Street [Mass Central; Norwottuck Branch; Western End/ Mass Central; Williamsburg Branch; Southern End]; Continuing along Damon Rd, you travel under I-91 and come to Routes 5 & 10 (King St) at the light. Turn left on King St and follow until you come to the Kingsgate Plaza on your right. As you turn right into the plaza look left to spot a spur trail. This trail runs through the parking lot and connects to the Mass Central Rail Trail; Williamsburg Branch near where it crosses King St. You need to head left across King St to reach the "Spoke".

Southbound: Take exit 26 to Routes 5 & 10 (King St) and come to your first intersection.

To start from King Street [Mass Central; Norwottuck Branch; Western End/ Mass Central; Williamsburg Branch; Southern End]; Continue straight on King St and follow until you come to the Kingsgate Plaza on your right. As you turn right into the plaza look left to spot a spur trail. This trail runs through the parking lot and connects to the Mass Central Rail Trail; Williamsburg Branch near where it crosses King St. You need to head left across King St to reach the "Spoke". 

To start from Elwell State Park [Mass Central; Norwottuck Branch; Western Section]. Turn left on Damon Rd. Just before you reach Route 9 the parking lot will be on your left.

To start from Wright Road in Belchertown [Mass Central; Norwottuck Branch; Eastern End]; Take Route 9 for about 6.5 miles from Elwell State Park. Take a right down Southeast St and a left onto Station Rd after about 2 miles. Less then a mile you will pass the Station Road parking lot on your left. Continue on until you come to Wright Road on your right. The parking lot is less then a mile down the road.

You can rent e-bikes in Northampton, Amherst & Easthampton. See; VALLEY BIKE SHARE for locations.

The Mass Central Rail Trail is a planned 104 mile trail from Northampton, East, to Boston. It will follow the old Central Mass Branch of the Boston & Maine RR that ran between the two cities. The railroad split into two after the1938 hurricane shattered the line. The trail today exists in many unconnected sections and with differing surfaces. Starting from Northampton heading East, the sections that are complete include the Mass Central Rail Trail; Norwottuck Branch, Mass Central Rail Trail: Belchertown , Mass Central Rail Trail; Ware River Valley Branch , Mass Central Rail Trail; Wachusett Greenway , Mass Central Rail Trail; Wayside Branch & Mass Central Rail Trail; Boston-Cambridge-Belmont . The Norwottuck Branch includes the towns of Northampton-Hadley-Amherst. The Ware River Valley Branch includes the towns of Ware-Hardwick-New Braintree. The Wachusett Greenway includes the towns of Barre-Rutland-Holden-West Boylston-Clinton-Berlin. The Wayside Branch includes the towns of  Waltham-Weston-Wayland-Sudbury-Hudson . For more information Check Out;  MASS CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL & NORTHAMPTON RAIL TRAIL SYSTEM .

In Northampton the Mass Central Rail Trail is a "Spoke" for 3 Trails.

  In Cambridge at Alewife T- Station, a stop on the commuter rail line into Boston is a "Hub" for 5 Trails (plus interconnecting Trails). 

Starting from the "Spoke" off King Street; Three rail trails "Spoke" out from here. The Mass Central Rail Trail; Williamsburg Branch travels Northwest, to Williamsburg. The Manhan/New Haven & Northampton Canal Rail Trail travels South, through Northampton to Easthampton. The Mass Central Rail Trail; Norwottuck Branch travels East, through Hadley & Amherst, then Southeast, towards Belchertown. A granite RR Mileage Marker here reads NH97/B109 (New Haven 97 miles/Boston 109 miles). These old  RR Mileage Markers were located every mile along the railroad.

Mass Central Rail Trail; Norwottuck Branch:

Starting from the Railroad Ave parking lot (Fee) in Northampton [Southwestern End]; The Amtrak Station located here. 

Note; Just past the parking lot entrance is a VALLEY BIKE SHARE Station. You can rent e- bikes in Northampton, Amherst & Easthampton. See; VALLEY BIKE SHARE for locations.

The paved Mass Central Rail Trail; Norwottuck Branch begins from the old Union RR Station, next to the granite 0 Mile Mileage Marker. Granite Mileage Markers are located every mile along the trail. There is also an old RR Buffer Stop located here. + See; RR Buffer Stop Below. This trail is also part of the Manhan/New Haven & Northampton Canal Rail Trail North, to the "Spoke".  Travel North, past the old RR Depot along an elevated berm. Below left is downtown Northampton and on your right are active double RR tracks. Cross an old RR bridge over Main/Bridge Street (Route 9) and a 2nd bridge over North St. Side paths will take you to downtown Northampton. Come to the "Spoke" after 0.8 miles. A granite RR Mileage Marker here reads NH97/B109 (New Haven 97 miles/Boston 109 miles). These old  RR Mileage Markers were located every mile along the railroad.

From the "Spoke" off King Street; Three rail trails "Spoke" out from here. The Mass Central Rail Trail; Williamsburg Branch travels Northwest, to Williamsburg. The Manhan/New Haven & Northampton Canal Rail Trail travels South, through Northampton to Easthampton. The Mass Central Rail Trail; Norwottuck Branch travels East, through Hadley & Amherst, then Southeast, towards Belchertown. 

Continue North, to a tunnel underneath the active RR tracks.

Note; Straight, a paved Spur Trail takes you out to King St.

Head right, East, through the tunnel and across Woodmont Rd where the trail follows a wooded residential corridor. Cross Bates St, before traveling underneath I-91 and coming to cross-light at Damon Rd.

Note; Right, a paved Spur Trail takes you alongside Damon Rd to the Route 9 traffic circle. Heading right leads to the Bridge Street BIKE LANE. If you follow the traffic circle left it will take you to a path over the CT River via the Bridge Street bridge.

Crossing Damon Rd brings you to Elwell State Park parking lot at 1.5 miles. A Map Board is located here, along with picnic tables, a BIKE STATION and Porto-Potty. Granite post reading "Connecticut River" located here. The trail crosses over the Connecticut River along an old railroad trestle that spans close a third of a mile. As you cross the bridge, you will see Elwell Island below. It is currently 60 acres and is one of the largest islands in the Connecticut River. Definitely a highlight of the trip, this 1,492 foot iron bridge was built in 1887. After crossing over the bridge to Hadley, spot an old granite RR Whistle Post, + See; RR Whistle Post Below, on the right side of the trail. Pass by the [2 Mile Marker] before crossing *Cross Path Road.

Note; Left, North, is the start of the hard packed dirt & grass Hadley Dike Trail Loop that travels atop a flood control dike. These flood control dikes were constructed in 1938 after two devastating floods swept through the valley. This trail travels above Cross Path Rd, before crossing Cemetery Rd where it continues to the Connecticut River at 0.6 miles. Here the trail heads East, above the river. Come to the Alexandra Dawson Conservation Area parking lot off North Ln after 1.5  miles. From here you can Loop back to the Mass Central Rail Trail; Norwottuck Branch by heading right, West, on-road (residential) along North Ln. This brings you to the historic Hadley Common. Continue left, South, along North Ln and rejoin the Mass Central Rail Trail; Norwottuck Branch  after a 2 mile Loop.

Continuing East, from *Cross Path Road, you'll soon pass by a BIKE & WATER STATION and old granite RR Whistle Post. Cross West Streets (historic Hadley Common) at 2.9 miles. This Common is over a mile long. You then pass by a Porto-Potty and Map Board before passing by the former Hadley Railroad Station and crossing Middle St at 3.3 miles. Couple more road crossings before you travel through a tunnel underneath Route 9 at 4.5 miles. At 5.1 miles pass a spur trail on your left that brings you to the Mountain Farms Mall parking lots (Map Board, BIKE STATION & benches) before crossing S Maple St to Range View. Here you'll find a Map Board and picnic tables. Views of the Holyoke Range. Another mile of level trail then gives way to a slightly steeper grade, as the trail turns North, crossing into Amherst. You travel alongside a golf course and cross a bridge over Snell St, before coming to the start of the UMass Bikeway Commuter Trail (also called "Swift Way") on your left at 6.9 miles.

Note; The UMass Bikeway Commuter Trail/Swift Way is a Spur Trail to the UMass Amherst campus where you may also Loop back to the Mass Central Rail Trail; Norwottuck Branch through Amherst Center (quaint shops & restaurants) and only bypass 0.2 miles of the trail. See; UMass Bikeway Commuter Trail/Swift Way Below.

The trail turns East, as it finally crests and starts a more downward, below grade. You then travel underneath Route 116 (spurs lead up to Route 116) at 7.4 miles and pass by former Amherst Railroad Station, which now houses a lumber yard. Look up to spot an old RR Semaphore, + See; RR Signal Below. Two sidings were utilized for this old RR Station. One traveled in front of the Depot and one went behind the station for a feed store. Inside the old RR Station (now storage for the lumber yard) the old RR Station Master and ticket booth is still preserved. 

Note; If you travel North, up Route 116, you can check out Amherst College. Very scenic campus on top of a hill. You can also visit downtown Amherst for a variety of restaurants and shops.

The trail turns Southeast, crossing an open area with seating overlooking a meadow. Cross a bridge over the Fort River, before passing by a spur trail on your right at 8.6 miles. Granite post reads "Fort River". This leads to the Mill Lane Parking lot. Cross a bridge over East St and you'll pass through the Brickyard Conservation Area, crossing a bridge over Hop Brook and passing by the [9 Mile Marker]. Nice causeway through a large marsh. Very scenic section. You reach the Station Road parking lot at 9.9 miles. Map Board, picnic tables, Porto-Potty and granite post reading "Lawrence Station" located here. Cross Station Rd, where an active rail line parallels the trail. This is the New England Central Railroad, which runs from New London, Connecticut to the Canadian border and passes through Amherst. The trail passes through deep woods, crossing a causeway through Lawrence Swamp, before crossing the Belchertown border and coming to the Warren Wright Road parking lot after 11.4 miles. Map Board. 

Note; Currently, as of 2026, a Gap exists between here and another section of trail that has been developed Southeast in Belchertown. See; Mass Central Rail Trail; Belchertown . Future construction will continue the Mass Central Rail Trail Southeast, to Belchertown. 

UMass Bikeway Commuter Trail/Swift Way Loop:

From the Mass Central Rail Trail; Norwottuck Branch [Central Section]; The paved UMass Bikeway Commuter Trail/Swift Way travels down to Route 9 & 116 where a cross-light will get you over this busy road. The trail then travels North, alongside University Drive (commercial), before crossing Amity St and passing the South Gate to UMASS; Amherst at 0.8 miles. The University Drive BIKE LANE follows the trail. The Warren McGuire Alumni Stadium is along your left. Just before Mass Ave the BIKE LANE ends and the trail bares right up to Mass Ave at 1.6 miles. The trail then heads East, up a long, slight hill alongside Mass Ave, passing by the Visitor Center, before ending after 2.1 miles at N Pleasant St. 

Note; You can travel left, through UMASS; Amherst, via many paved trails. See; UMASS; AMHERST MAP .

To continue the Loop back to the Mass Central Rail Trail; Norwottuck Branch turn right and travel on-road (narrow shoulder, sidewalk available) South, along N Pleasant St. N Pleasant St turns right, but continue straight along a BIKE LANE to E Pleasant St and a traffic circle at 2.4 miles. Follow the BIKE LANE right, through downtown Amherst Center. Lots of shops and restaurants. Pass Amherst Town Commons (tables) and cross College St/Northampton Rd at 3 miles. A sidewalk/narrow paved trail is available here as the BIKE LANE quickly ends. Short hill and then all downhill, past Amherst College. Just past Hitchcock Rd on your right, you'll pick up a paved path that will bring you down to the Mass Central Rail Trail; Norwottuck Branch after 3.4 miles.  

Mass Central Rail Trail; Williamsburg Branch:

Starting from the "Spoke" off King Street in Northampton [Southern End]; The paved Mass Central Rail Trail; Williamsburg Branch travels West, across King St, where you'll find a Map Board. These signs are located all along the trail. Next you'll pass a spur trail on your right at 0.2 miles.

Note; This trail travels through the Kingsgate Plaza parking lot and back out to King St. 

You quickly pass by a spur down to Stoddard & State Streets on your left. Here you'll find a VALLEY BIKE SHARE Station and Map Board. The trail begins an assent as it travels alongside the Barrett Street Marsh on your right. The trail travels an uphill grade the whole length. You'll travel underneath the Jackson Street Bridge at 0.7 miles where a ramp leads up to Jackson St and another Map Board. Come to the first of several low volume road crossings via Prospect St at 1 mile. You travel along a high berm over a stream, before crossing N Elm St and Hatfield St at 1.3 miles. Look right to spot some old RR tracks still in place for an old siding for the cement factory. Cross Straw Ave where you'll pass by an adobe bench under a wooden lean-to. Here you'll find an BIKE STATION for public use. The next several road crossings allow access South, to downtown Florence, a section of Northampton. Places to shop and eat. Not much grade along here. Just after crossing Chestnut St, look to your left to spot an old RR Semaphore, + See; RR Signal Below. Cross N Maple St where the trail turns Northwest. When you reach Bridge St, the old rail bed continues across the street, but is undeveloped. Instead, follow the paved trail through the roundabout and across N Main St (Route 9). This brings you to the entrance for Look Park at 2.9 miles. The trail enters the park, traveling past the Outer Look Park parking lot on your right and the gatehouse on the left.

Note; Look Park is a great park for kids. Open year round during daylight hours with reasonable entrance fees and picnic site fees. Visit; LOOK PARK  for more information on fees and amenities such as pedal boats, bumper boats, miniature golf, water spray park and even a mini train that runs inside the park. From the Outer Look Park parking lot the 1.5 mile Look Park Loop Trail travels through the park, connecting all areas together. If you plan on visiting the park, enter the park (fee), past the gate and the Look Memorial Park Visitor Center parking lot will be on your right. You can also access the Look Park Loop Trail here. 

Continue past the gatehouse into Look Park, passing by the Garden House (check out the gardens) on your right, followed by the miniature golf course. When you reach the park road, the trail turns right, North. Straight takes you along the Look Park Loop Trail. The trail skirts the park before turning right, exiting the park to N Main St at 3.4 miles.

Note; If you head right, South, this paved trail takes back along N Main St before abruptly ending after 0.25 miles.

Continue left, Northwest, along a high berm, as he trail travels above N Main St on your right and the park on your left. You'll cross over two wooden bridges, the second over Arch St and head back into the woods. Pass through a rock cut and you'll spot the Mill River below on your left, as the trail turns North. Come to Mulberry St at 4.3 miles. Down to your left is a nice old brick mill building along the river in Leeds Village, a section of Northampton. Crosswalk over Mulberry St. This section is referred to as the Mill River Greenway. Good informational sign shows the city before the flood. The trail continues through the woods, passing by an old stone dam, across the river on your left. Waterfall created by the spillway. The trail continues along the river, coming to a Spur Trail at 4.8 miles.

Note; This paved Spur Trail heads right, South, uphill to Grove Ave, a residential dead end road. 

The trail becomes continues alongside the river, crossing a wooden bridge over Beaver Brook. Left is a nice sandy swimming hole. The trail then turns off the rail bed taking you down to S Main St after 5.5 miles as you enter Haydenville. 

Note; A paved trail is under construction, as of Fall 2026, North, alongside S Main St to Bridge  St. Will open in 2027.

Old Railroad Equipment:

+RR Buffer Stop:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    A RR Buffer Stop, is a device to prevent RR cars from going past the end of a physical section of track.

+ 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.

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