Norwottuck Rail Trail
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| Norwottuck Rail Trail | |
|---|---|
 Looking east from the western trail head |
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| Length | 9.5 miles (15 km) |
| Location | Northampton, Massachusetts to Belchertown, Massachusetts |
| Trailheads | to |
| Use | Hiking, biking. No motor vehicles or horses. |
| Trail Difficulty | easy |
| Season | year round |
| Sights | beaver pond near the eastern end with various birds and other critters, former rail bridge |
The Norwottuck Rail Trail is a 9.5 mile combination bicycle/pedestrian paved right-of-way running from Northampton, Massachusetts, through Hadley and Amherst, to Belchertown, Massachusetts. It opened in 1992. No motor vehicles or horses are allowed.
Contents |
[edit] Use
This trail is used by bicyclers, rollerbladers, and hikers. Both recreational and commuter traffic occurs here.
Sights to see include the Norwottuck Rail Trail Bridge over the Connecticut River. The beaver pond near the eastern end of the trail is host to a number of different kinds of birds including great blue heron and various woodpeckers, as well as ducks, turtles, and various other critters.
[edit] Extension
The trail has been extended to the east approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) and currently ends at Warren Wright Road south of North Road and north of Wilson Road. A westward extension from Damon Road to Woodmont Road in Northampton opened in 2007. The trail ends close to the Northampton Bikeway, which runs from the other side of King Street to Florence and Look Park. Construction of a rail with trail project southward to downtown Northampton and Easthampton (to connect with the Manhan Rail Trail) is in the planning stages, as is a tunnel underneath the active rail line to join with the Northampton Bikeway. There are various other possible connections being considered, such as a connection to the Canalside Rail Trail.
There is a movement in progress[1] to create a 104 mile bicycle path from Boston westward, which would incorporate the Norwottuck Rail Trail as part of its length.
[edit] Reconstruction
The trail has degraded over time. One aspect of the problem is that the original pavement was an attempt at being "green", and incorporated crushed used glass bottles as part of its aggregate. This material has been slowly emerging over time, causing flat tires and other issues. The pavement is due for replacement within the next year.[2]
Another item being considered is widening the trail from its current 8 feet (2.4 m) to 10 feet (3.0 m). This is due to how busy the trail sometimes gets on weekends. Widening would lessen the impact of traffic as on any other kind of road.
In-term activity is scheduled for May 2008 to remove buckling due to root growth under the trail, with further work being considered for later this year and 2009. Yellow bills have been posted at various points along the trail containing details about the currently scheduled work. Trail users are advised to look for these.[3]
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
- The Norwottuck Rail Trail Online
- Video of trail
- Friends of Northampton Trails and Greenways
- Norwottuck Rail Trail Survey report
