NRT Database

Location: Located in Northampton, Mass, extending from the northern terminus of the New Haven & Northampton Canal Rail Trail on the north side of downtown Northampton and extending northwesterly through Northampton and to South Main Street in Williamsburg.
State(s): Massachusetts
Counties: Hampshire
Longitude: -72.66332
Latitude: 42.33576

Driving Directions

Take I-91 to exit 18. Take a left off the exit ramp onto Route 5, then 2.3 miles to Bridge Road. Turn left at Bridge Road signal and then 2.4 miles on Bridge Road to roundabout. Take first roundabout exit onto North Main Street/Route 9. Head north 0.2 miles to the VA Medical Center and turn right into the center. Park-and-Ride/Rail Trail Parking Lot is first left.

Description

5.3 mile trail running from northern terminus of New Haven & Northampton Canal Rail trail and easterly terminus of state-owned Mass Central Rail Trail to South Main Street, Williamsburg. Easily accessible to 50% of the population of Northampton and runs through the edge of downtown Northampton and through villages of Florence and Leeds. The trail includes two dramatic historic stone arch bridges, with the northerly mile adjacent to and overlooking the Mill River. Portions of the trail were among the first municipal rail trails developed in New England (1985), with the trail expanded in 2011 to connect to other rail trails and tie various village centers together. Highlights along the trail include downtown Northampton, Barrett Street Marsh, downtown Florence, Look Park, the Village of Leeds, and the Mill River.

Additional Details

Width: 120 inches.
Primary Surface: Asphalt
Secondary Surface: Asphalt
Gravel

Average Grade: 1%
Maximum Grade: 8%
Elevation Low Point: 118
Elevation High Point: 130
Elevation Gain (cumulative): Not Available

Year Designated: 2014

Supporting Webpages and Documents

Contact Information

For more information and current conditions, contact the trail manager (listed below). For questions, suggestions, and corrections to information listed on the website, contact American Trails.

Trail Management:
Wayne Feiden
Director of Planning and Sustainability
City of Northampton
210 Main Street, Room 11
Northampton, MA 01060
4135871265
[email protected]

Trail Management:
Ned Huntley
Director of Public Works
City of Northampton
125 Locust Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-587-1570