Norwottuck Rail
Trail |
Damon Rd., Northampton
413 586-8706 ext. 12
The Norwottock Rail Trail is an 8.5 mile path
linking Northampton, Hadley, and Amherst along the former Boston
& Main Railroad right-of-way. The path's level terrain provides
safe passage for pedestrians, wheelchairs, joggers, skaters, bicyclists,
and cross-country skier of all ages and abilities. Motorized vehicles
and horses are prohibited. Both ends of the path offer free parking
for trail users – Elwell State Park on Damon Road in Northampton
and Station Road in South Amherst. Public restrooms are available
at the parking area at Elwell Recreation Area.
History
The railroad was built in 1887 by the Central Massachusetts Railroad
Company. It connected the City of Boston with the City of Northampton.
Shortly after the railroad was completed, it was leased by the Boston
and Maine Railroad Company and referred to as the Central Massachusetts
Branch. By the 1920s there were three round trip passenger trains
and numerous freight trains running between Boston and Northampton.
As the automobile and trucking industries grew, railroads began
to lose their importance. Passenger service continued until 1932
and freight service continued until 1979, primarily to deliver goods
to the Farmer’s Supply warehouse in Amherst. The property
was acquired by the DCR (formerly DEM) in 1985 and in 1993 was developed
into a recreational trail. The rail trail was named Norwottuck at
the suggestion of the Hadley Historical Commission. Historians believe
that the Native Americans who lived here before the European settlers
were called the Norwottucks. Translated, norwottuck means “in
the midst of the river,” the Native American term for the
entire area.
Rentals
If you do not have a bicycle, rentals are
available on Damon Road in Northampton, across from the Elwell Recreation
Area. For people who use wheelchairs, handcycles and a wheelchair
tandem bike can be rented for use on the Norwottuck Rail Trail from
Valley Bikes Trailside in Hadley during the store's seasonal hours
of operation. Call 413-256-0880 for more information.
Recreational Opportunities
Accessible Cycling, Bicycling Paths, Interpretive Program , Skiing (Cross-Country), Walking Trails.
Park Directions
Norwottuck Rail Trail is located in the western part of central
Massachusetts.
From the east or west: Mass Pike (I-90) to exit
4, Rte 91 north to Rt 9 exit # 19. Through lights onto Damon Rd.,
parking at Elwell State Park on right. There
is parking at both ends of the trail and on Route 9 in Hadley behind
the Bread and Circus Market at the Mountain Farms Mall, at Station
Road in Amherst and limited parking that provides wheelchair access
at the junction of Mill Lane and Southeast Street in Amherst.
Other MassParks Rail Trails
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail
Lanesborough – Cheshire, 5 miles
Cape Cod Rail Trail,
Dennis – Wellfleet, 25 miles
Nashua River Rail Trail
Ayer, Groton, Pepperell and Dunstable, 11 miles
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