Cross the Connecticut on the Old Railroad
Pioneer Valley / Northampton–Hadley, Massachusetts
Activity
Biking / Rail Trail
Difficulty
Easy / paved shared-use path
Distance
4 mi round trip
Elevation gain
~60 ft
Duration
~45–90 min
Route
Out & back
The adventure
Ride from Elwell Recreation Area across the historic Norwottuck rail bridge into Hadley and return on the paved trail.
Start at Elwell Recreation Area in Northampton, join the paved Norwottuck rail trail and ride east across the former railroad bridge over the Connecticut River.
Connecticut River corridor and Pioneer Valley
What you'll do
Start at Elwell Recreation Area, then follow the route about 4 miles round trip. Cross the Connecticut River on the historic rail-trail bridge and return to Elwell.
Expect paved.
Expect roughly 60 ft of climbing along the way.
What you're looking at
- The trail is paved, level and included in the state's accessible-trail inventory.
- historic rail bridge structure
The story of the place
The trail follows a former railroad corridor and the Connecticut River crossing uses a former rail bridge.
Once you're there
Park at Elwell Recreation Area on Damon Road and enter the paved Norwottuck trail beside the river. Ride east onto the large former railroad bridge and cross the Connecticut River into Hadley.
Stay on the paved rail trail for the western Hadley portion, then turn around before reaching the currently affected Amherst section and return over the same bridge to Elwell. The path is shared: keep right, announce passes and expect walkers, runners and other cyclists.
Don't miss
Pause on the former railroad bridge long enough to look both directions along the Connecticut River instead of treating it like scenery at 12 miles per hour.
Good to know
- Access
- No permit or reservation requirement identified for ordinary bicycle use.
- Best time to go
- The paved trail is generally available year-round, but snow and ice can affect winter riding.
- Hours
- Sunrise to sunset
- Parking
- Free at Elwell Recreation Area.
- Restrooms
- Restrooms are listed among trail facilities; availability can vary by location/season.
- Hazards
- Shared-use trail traffic, bridge wind, winter ice
- Dogs
- Dogs are allowed; posted trail guidance calls for dogs to be kept on a short leash and waste removed.
- RAIL-TRAIL EASY
- The Norwottuck route is an 8–10-foot-wide paved shared-use path built on a former railroad corridor.
- THE MAIN EVENT
- The western end crosses the Connecticut River on a former railroad bridge connecting Northampton and Hadley.
- FREE START
- Free trail-user parking is available at Elwell Recreation Area, giving this route a clean start directly beside the trail.
- CURRENT CLOSURE EAST
- A section farther east in Amherst is currently closed for safety inspection and repairs. This shorter outing does not require entering that section.
- Surface
- Paved rail trail
- Managed by
- Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation — Norwottuck Branch / Mass Central Rail Trail.
Please respect the place
- No motorized vehicles
- Keep right and signal before passing
- Dogs must be kept on a short leash
- The outing intentionally stays west of the currently closed Amherst trail section
Photos
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