SQUANNACOOK RIVER RAIL TRAIL:
TOWNSEND-GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: June 15, 2024
Length: Squannacook River Rail Trail; 3.6 miles
Adams Dam Trail; 0.3 miles
Bertozzi Wildlife Area Trail; 0.5 miles
Difficulty: Squannacook River Rail Trail; Easy. Flat, stone-dust rail trail.
Adams Dam Trail; Easy. Hard packed dirt and pine needle surface with some tree roots.
Squannacook River Wildlife Area Trail; Easy. Hard packed dirt and pine needle surface with some tree roots.
Directions:
To Start from Townsend [Northwestern End]; From Route 2 in Leominster take exit 100 to Route 13 north to Townsend. Turn right on Railroad St and follow to Depot St where you'll find a gravel parking lot.
To Start from Groton [Southern End]; From Route 2 in Leominster take exit 100 to Route 13 north to Townsend. Turn right along Route 119 and travel 3 miles to Townsend Rd. Head right another mile and spot the Squannacook River Wildlife Management Area sign on your right. Follow this gravel road to the parking lot.
The Squannacook River Rail Trail follows the rail bed of the former Greenville Branch of the Boston and Maine RR. It currently starts in Townsend and heads South to Groton. Although the trail name includes the Squannacook River, you only get a short glimpse of it. In Townsend, from the Northern End of the trail, you can access the Adams Dam Trail, just North, via a short on-road route. In Groton, from the Southern End of the trail, you can access the Squannacook River Wildlife Area Trail, which travels West, to the Squannacook River. For more information visit; SQUANNACOOK RIVER RAIL TRAIL .
Starting from Townsend [Northwestern End]; BIKE STATION & Map Board located here.
Note; Heading Northwest, the old rail bed continues, but is undeveloped. If you follow Railroad St out to Elm St and head right, past the old Fire Dept building, you'll spot a sign for Adams Dam Park, across the road. Use Caution crossing the road (no crosswalk) and continue on-road along Jefts St. Turn left into the Adams Dam Park parking lot after 0.3 miles. Here you'll find an old RR trestle over the Squannacook River. You can also follow the hard packed dirt and pine needle Adams Dam Trail South, alongside the river. Very ridable, with a few tree roots. Pass by a small dam. Ends after 0.4 miles, where the river makes a sharp turn.
The wide, stone-dust Squannacook River Rail Trail, travels Southeast along the old rail bed. Granite benches along the trail. You start off along an industrial corridor before entering the woods at 0.5 miles. Travel through a small rock cut and cross Old Meeting House Rd at 1 mile. Pass by an old RR Mileage Marker on your left. Can't make out the letter and number. The trail then opens up and parallels Route 119. After 1.7 miles the finished trail currently ends next to Harbor Pond.
Note; A walking trail continues straight along the old rail bed (old RR ties still in trail).
If biking, head left past the old Townsend Harbor Church to Route 119. Head right, Southeast, on-road (not recommended for kids on bikes) and you'll come to South St after 1.9 miles. Here you'll find an old mill next to the Harbor Pond Dam. Nice views of the dam and lake if you travel along the bridge on South St. Across South St is the old Spaulding Grist Mill.
Note; Next to the old Spaulding Grist Mill is an old RR bridge and a small Power Canal that diverted the river to power it.
Continue along a sidewalk, past the old RR bridge (not sure if they will repair it), next to Route 119 and pass by a couple of buildings before you come to the Route 119 parking lot at 2.1 miles. Here the wide, stone-dust Squannacook River Rail Trail, continues Southeast along the old rail bed. A short section of this trail still has the old RR tracks embedded in the trail. Enter the woods, briefly following the Squannacook River. Cross the Groton town line and continue along a small berm. Nice marsh along your left, before crossing Crosswinds Dr, twice. You then come to the end of the trail as you enter Bertozzi Wildlife Area. The old RR tracks continue South into the woods. Left will bring you to the Squannacook River Wildlife Area parking lot after 3.6 miles.
Note; From the Bertozzi Wildlife Area parking lot you can check out the Squannacook River Wildlife Area Trail. This hard packed dirt & pine needle trail travels West, past the Southern End of the Squannacook River Rail Trail, into deep woods. Come to a fork in the trail and keep left, which brings you down to the Squannacook River. Several foot paths lead down to the river. The trail continues North, bringing you to a knoll after 0.5 miles. Head up this knoll where you'll find a fire pit and granite seats surrounding it, along with some type of cable strung across the river. Nice, small sandy beach next to the river. Great wading spot to cool off. Very scenic.
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