Biking on Ashuwillticook
Rail Trail |
Lanesborough, Cheshire, Adams, MA
413 442-8928
The Ashuwillticook Rail Trail is a former railroad
corridor converted into a 10-foot wide paved universally accessible
path. The Ashuwillticook Rail Trail runs parallel to Route 8 through
the towns of Cheshire, Lanesborough and Adams, Massachusetts. The
southern end of the Trail begins at the entrance to the Berkshire
Mall off Rte. 8 in Lanesborough and travels 11 miles north to the
center of Adams. Parking lots and restrooms are available along
the way.
The Trail passes through the Hoosac River Valley,
between Mt. Greylock and the Hoosac Mountains. Cheshire Reservoir,
the Hoosac River, and associated wetland communities flank much
of the trail offering outstanding views and abundant wildlife. The
word Ashuwillticook (ash-oo-will-ti-cook) is from the Native American
name for the south branch of the Hoosic River and literally means
“at the in-between pleasant river,” or in common tongue,
“the pleasant river in between the hills.” The name
was adopted for the trail as a way to reconnect people to local
history and the natural environment.
History of the Rail Corridor
In 1845, the Pittsfield & North Adams Railroad developed this
corridor with the goal of extending the Housatonic Railroad north
to Rutland, Vermont. While the track was under construction, the
company was acquired by the Western Railroad, which later became
the Boston & Albany Railroad. Mineral traffic developed on the
line and a number of limestone operations went into business. The
New York Central took over the B&A in 1900, and upgraded the
line, which was sold to the Boston & Maine Railroad in 1981.
As a connection to an existing track in North Adams, Boston &
Maine ran the line with declining success until they abandoned rail
service in 1990. Seeing the potential for recreational use of the
corridor, citizens organized to preserve the right-of-way, eventually
gaining the local and political support needed to make this rail
trail a reality.
Things to know before you go…
Bring your bike, kids 12 years or younger must wear a helmet. For
information on handcycle availability, call DCR’s Universal
Access Program at 413-545-5353. Universally accessible comfort stations
are located at the trail parking areas off Berkshire Mall Road and
Farnams Road. Comfort stations are open during daylight hours from
mid-May to mid-September.
Recreational Opportunities
Accessible Cycling, Bicycling Paths, Scenic Viewing Area, Skiing (Cross-Country), Walking Trails, Restrooms available
Park Directions
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail is located in the Berkshires in western
Massachusetts. Click here to view location
map.
From the south: take the Mass Pike (Rte. I-90)
to exit 2, then Route 20 west to Route 7 north, Route 9 east to
Route 8 north. Signs for Ashuwillticook parking areas are located
on Route 8.
From the north:
take Route 2 to Route 8 south, look for signs for Ashuwillticook
parking along route 8.
Parking areas are located just off Route
8 at the trailhead on Berkshire Mall Road in Lanesborough, on Farnams
Road and Church Street in Cheshire, Russell Field in Adams and the
Adams town parking lot off Hoosac Street.
Other MassParks Rail Trails
Nashua River Rail Trail
Ayer, Groton, Pepperell and Dunstable, 11 miles
Norwottuck Rail Trail,
Northampton – Belchertown, 10.5 miles
Cape Cod Rail Trail,
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