WESTON AQUEDUCT TRAIL:
FRAMINGHAM-WESTON, MASSACHUSETTS
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: August 16, 2023
Length: Weston Aqueduct; 13.5 miles
Framingham [Western Section]; 1.4 miles
Framingham to Weston [Center & Eastern Sections]; 6.1 miles
Carol Getchell Trail; 0.6 miles
Difficulty: Weston Aqueduct; Moderate. Flat hard packed grass berm w/single track. Center section has some steep hills. Mt Bike recommended. Best time to ride the Aqueduct is in the Spring before the grass gets thick.
Avoid after heavy rains.
Carol Getchell Trail; Moderate. Narrow dirt trail w/rocks and tree roots and some boardwalk. Mt Bike recommended.
Directions:
To start from the Potter Road parking area in Framingham [Western End]; From I-90 take exit 111 to Route 9 E for 2 miles. Turn left on Edgell Rd and follow north for 2.2 miles to Water St. Head right for 0.5 miles and bear left on Potter St. Parking area on right below the trail.
To start from the Wayland HS parking area in Wayland [Center Section]; From I-90 take exit 117 to Route 30 and head right. Take your first right on Leggatt McCall Conn, left on Spleen St and right on Old Connecticut Path. After 2.4 miles turn left at the entrance for Wayland HS. Park on your right next tot eh tennis courts. The trail crosses Old Ct Path just past the sports fields.
The Aqueduct Trail System is an ongoing collaboration between the Mass Water Resources Authority and Metropolitan Area Planning Council. The focus is to identify and develop a connected trail system along the four aqueducts (Cochituate, Sudbury, Weston, Wachusett). As currently proposed, the trail system, when complete, will total 67 miles along three main corridors running roughly east west between Chestnut Hill and the Wachusett Reservoir in Berlin. Sections of the Cochituate Aqueduct Trail, Sudbury Aqueduct Trail, Weston/Hultman Aqueduct Trail and Wachusett Aqueduct Trail have been opened to the public throughout various municipalities. See; Cochituate Aqueduct Reservoir , Sudbury Aqueduct Trail & Wachusett Aqueduct Trail .
The Weston Aqueduct Trail follows the path of the old Weston Aqueduct. Opened in 1903, the 13.5 mile aqueduct was designed to deliver water from the Sudbury Reservoir in Southborough to the Weston Reservoir in Weston. Starting in Framingham it travels through Wayland and Weston. The Hultman Aqueduct opened in 1939 and replaced the Weston Aqueduct, which is now itself a secondary system.
FRAMINGHAM SECTION:
Hultman Aqueduct Trail:
I haven't checked out the Hultman Aqueduct Trail yet. I believe you can ride this path, but not 100% sure. Not a lot of information available. No Keep Out signs. It appears as if it would be tough riding, as I don't spot any tracks for bikes. Some hills. If you have any information concerning this trail please email me at bikeitorhikeitcontact@gmail.com .
Starting from Route 30, just south of Pine Hill Rd in Framingham [Western End]; The wide, grassy Hultman Aqueduct Trail travels past a green gate up a wide meadow. You'll cross Pleasant St, Flanagan Dr, Major Hale Dr, Millwood St, Grove St and Edgell Road. The Hultman Aqueduct keeps going until just past Elm St where you encounter the Sudbury River (No bridge). The Carol Getchell Trail crosses here. I don't have any mileage information. Across this river the Hultman Aqueduct Trail continues from Meadows St Ext east 4.8 miles to Wellesley St past which the Hultman Aqueduct enters the Norumbega Reservoir.
FRAMINGHAM SECTION:
Weston Aqueduct Trail:
From Lyman Road in Framingham [Western End]; The Weston Aqueduct Trail travels West before dead ending into a hillside. I can't locate any open sections of the Weston Aqueduct west of here.
Heading Northeast the Weston Aqueduct Trail follows atop the grass Aqueduct with a dirt single track through a residential corridor, crossing Westview and McAdams (informational sign) roads out to Edgell Rd. Map Boards at all street crossings. A crosswalk takes you over to Whiting Rd after 0.6 miles total.
Note; The next section between Whiting Rd and Water St has not yet been opened as of April 2021.
You'll need to detour (0.8 miles) on-road up Edgell Rd to Water St. Travel on-road (sidewalk available) east along Water St. You'll spot the Weston Aqueduct on your right as it parallels the road (BIKE LANE) before crossing Water St after 1.4 miles. Here you'll find another Map Board. Potter Street is below left.
Starting from Potter Street parking area in Framingham; [Re-zeroing Mileage] The grass with dirt single track (tree roots in spots) Weston Aqueduct Trail travels atop the Aqueduct passing by the Potter Street parking area before quickly coming to a stone & granite building (Aqueduct Gate House). Continuing along the open forested corridor you'll cross a couple of residential roads before crossing Elm St at 1.3 miles. Map Board, informational sign, granite Weston Aqueduct marker and cross-light. Pass by a second stone & granite building (Aqueduct Gate House) where the trail travels downhill to the Sudbury River after 1.6 miles.
Note; A path on your right leads to the Little Farms Road parking lot and start of the Carol Getchell Trail. This trail travels south along the Sudbury River to Saxonville where you can access the Cochituate Rail Trail . See Below.
The Aqueduct crosses the river via a large arched pipe with a narrow pedestrian bridge atop and into Wayland.
Note; The bridge was closed off for construction as of April 2021.
WAYLAND SECTION:
Continuing from the Weston Aqueduct Trail in Framingham [Central Section]; [Continuing Mileage] The Weston Aqueduct Trail continues East into Wayland after crossing a pipe bridge over the Sudbury River. The trail then briefly travels aside the Sudbury River Marsh before a long hill climb up to the stone & granite Aqueduct Gate House. Next you cross Stonebridge Rd at 2.3 miles where you'll find an informational sign and granite marker. Come to another stone & granite Aqueduct Gate House where you'll encounter a steep hill (Caution) down to Route 126 (Old Connecticut Path) at 2.9 miles (Caution no crosswalk).
Note; Left leads to the Wayland HS parking area.
Travel up a long hill to reach another stone & granite Aqueduct Gate House. Here the trail is level but full of tree roots as you pass through a Pine tree forest. Return to Route 126 (Old Connecticut Path) after 4 miles. Here the trail detours off the Aqueduct. A paved trail heads right alongside the road. Crosswalks at the intersection and the paved trail continues north alongside Routes 27 & 126 before rejoining the Weston Aqueduct Trail at 4.2 miles heading east. This section is also very rooty. Cross Pine Brook road followed by Old Connecticut Path (Caution no crosswalk) where you'll find another Informational sign. This section is root free. Cross Buckskin Dr in Weston where you'll find another Informational sign.. The trail then travels a short distance before ending at a hill after 6.1 miles where the Weston Aqueduct travels via tunnel. The final section begins at the Weston Reservoir in Weston.
WESTON SECTION:
I haven't checked out this section yet. Starting from the Ash Street parking lot in Weston [Western End]; Bikes not allowed along this section. Travel North from the parking lot come to the trail on your left. Heading West the dirt/grass lined Weston Aqueduct Trail travels alongside the Southern Side of a canal for the Weston Reservoir. When you reach a reservoir building at top of the canal the trail then heads back East alongside the Northern Side of the canal back to Ash Street. Cross the street to a narrow paved trail and head right to a Map Board (across from the Ash Street parking lot). The dirt & grass lined Weston Aqueduct Trail travels South alongside the Western Side of the Weston Reservoir. It then turns East and North. At some point the trail appears to improve before you come to some more reservoir buildings at the Southern End of the reservoir. According to the map the trail then continues south atop the aqueduct out to Newton St. The trail ends here as the Weston Aqueduct travels via tunnel. I don't have any mileage information. If you have any information concerning this trail please email me at bikeitorhikeitcontact@gmail.com .
CAROL GETCHELL TRAIL:
From the intersection of the Weston Aqueduct Trail [Northern End]; A narrow dirt trail travels South alongside the Sudbury River quickly bringing you to the Little Farms Road parking lot. Map Board. Here the narrow dirt, rock and tree roots Carol Getchell Trail travels South alongside the river. You pass through a metal fence to a wide grassy area (Hultman Aqueduct crosses here, but no bridge over the river) before returning to the dirt trail. Pass by some stairs on your right that lead up to Stapleton School. This last section contains boardwalk through the floodplain before bringing you out to Sudbury landing after 0.8 miles. To your left is the old Danforth Street Bridge (now a pedestrian bridge).
Note; To connect on-road to the Cochituate Rail Trail head left out to Danforth St and turn right. Take your first left down Danforth Ct and come to a gate. Head past the gate through Saxonville Village and come to Costanza Park where the road turns right out to Concord St. Head left on-road (sidewalk available) crossing over the Sudbury River. Come to School St on your left and the start of the Cochituate Rail Trail after 1.4 miles.
HH
CLICK HERE FOR AQUEDUCT TRAIL SYSTEM MAP
CLICK HERE FOR WESTON AQUEDUCT TRAIL MAP
CLICK HERE FOR SUDBURY (SOUTHBOROUGH) RESERVOIR TRAIL
CLICK HERE FOR SOUTHBOROUGH SECTION MAP
CLICK HERE FOR FRAMINGHAM SECTION MAP
CLICK HERE FOR CAROL GETCHELL TRAIL BROCHURE & MAP
CLICK HERE FOR CAROL GETCHELL TRAIL MAP
CLICK HERE FOR WESTON RESERVOIR TRAIL MAP
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT
