nashua river rail trail

13 miles
3hours
easy
Mountain Biking
Summer, Fall, Spring
Ayer, MA

debbi

The Nashua River Rail trail is about 13 miles one-way. It is paved and very flat for New England, so doesn't feel like 26 miles roundtrip. Suitable for riding on a road bike - be on the lookout for slower traffic. One end is in Ayer, it passes through Groton and then into Pepperell.

It is a very pretty trail with a lot of water on either side at various times. Thus I would keep moving, especially at times when mosquitos are apt to be out and about - though they didn't bother us during the midday. The road crossings are well marked and most of the motorists were very gracious about letting you cross.

There were multiple places along the way that you could park your car. The trail ends at the north at a parking lot/pond, which is a nice spot for a rest/picnic (didn't notice facilities here, but there were at the beginning in Ayer. At the biggest road crossing and town you go through, about 5 or 6 miles from the northern end, there is an ice cream place across the street - also has restrooms and sit down restaurant for meals.

For more information see www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/nash.htm

Directions:

Rt 2 to exit 38B, follow rt 111 north to the Ayer rotary. Go halfway around to rt 2A. This and rt 111 go right just after the center of town, take your first right onto Groton St - the parking lot is on the right.