Norwottuck Branch Rail Trail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Norwottuck Branch Rail Trail |
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Looking east from the western trail head
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| Length | 11 mi (18 km) |
| Location | Northampton, Massachusetts to Belchertown, Massachusetts |
| Established | 1992 |
| Designation | Massachusetts state park |
| Trailheads | 42°19′45″N 72°37′56″W / 42.32912°N 72.63227°W to 42°19′46″N 72°27′48″W / 42.32947°N 72.46342°W |
| Use | Hiking, bicycling, roller blading, cross-country skiing |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Season | Year-round |
| Sights | Beaver pond near the eastern end with various birds and other fauna (the Amherst College Wildlife Sanctuary), former rail bridge |
| Right of way | Former railroad line |
| Maintained by | Department of Conservation and Recreation |
| Website | Norwottuck Rail Trail |
The Norwottuck Branch Rail Trail is a cool paved path where you can bike, walk, or rollerblade! It's about 11 miles (18 km) long. This trail goes through Northampton, Massachusetts, Hadley, Amherst, and ends in Belchertown, Massachusetts. It first opened in 1992. Today, it's part of a much longer path called the Mass Central Rail Trail.
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History of the Norwottuck Trail
This trail wasn't always a path for bikes and walkers. It used to be a train track! The train line started way back in 1887. It was first controlled by the Central Massachusetts Railroad. Later, another company, the Boston and Maine Railroad, took over.
Trains used to carry both people and goods on this track. In the 1920s, three passenger trains traveled back and forth every day. Many freight trains also used the line to deliver items. But as more people started using cars and trucks, fewer people rode the trains. Passenger trains stopped running in 1932. Freight trains kept going for a bit longer, mostly delivering supplies to a farm warehouse in Amherst. Finally, in 1974, the trains stopped running completely.
In 1985, the state bought the old train track land. They decided to turn it into a trail for everyone to enjoy. The trail officially opened in 1993. The name "Norwottuck" was suggested by a local history group. It comes from the name of the Native American tribe, the Norwottucks, who lived in this area long ago. It was also the name for the whole region.
What Can You Do on the Trail?
The Norwottuck Branch Rail Trail is perfect for many outdoor activities!
- Bicycling: It's a smooth, paved path, great for a bike ride.
- Rollerblading: The flat surface is ideal for rollerbladers.
- Hiking and Walking: You can enjoy a nice walk or run.
- Cross-country skiing: In winter, when there's snow, it's a fun place for cross-country skiing.
People use the trail for both fun and getting around. You'll see families out for a weekend ride and also people using it to commute to work or school.
Amazing Sights Along the Trail
There are some cool things to see when you're on the Norwottuck Rail Trail:
- The Norwottuck Rail Trail Bridge: This big bridge goes over the Connecticut River. It offers awesome views of the water and surrounding nature.
- Beaver Pond: Near the eastern end of the trail, there's a beaver pond. It's a busy place for animals! You might spot:
- Great blue heron
- Different kinds of woodpeckers
- Ducks
- Turtles
- And many other small creatures!
How the Trail Has Grown
The Norwottuck Branch Rail Trail has been extended over the years, making it even longer!
- Eastward Extension: The trail now goes about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) further east.
- Westward Extension: In 2007, a part of the trail opened in Northampton, making it longer on the western side too.
The trail also connects to other paths. It ends close to the Northampton Bikeway. There's even a special tunnel that opened in 2017 to connect the Norwottuck Trail directly with the Northampton Bikeway. This made it much easier and safer for trail users!
There's a big idea to create a super long bike path, about 104 miles (167 km) long, that would go all the way from Boston to the west. The Norwottuck Rail Trail would be a part of this huge path!
Trail Upgrades and Improvements
Over time, the original trail started to wear out. The pavement was made with crushed glass bottles, which was an early "green" idea. But bits of glass started coming up, causing flat tires for bikes and other problems.
To fix this, the trail got a big upgrade!
- Wider Path: The trail was made wider, from 8 feet (2.4 m) to 10 feet (3 m). This helps a lot, especially on busy weekends, so everyone has more space.
- New Pavement: The old pavement was replaced with a new, smooth surface.
This big reconstruction project started in August 2013 and was finished in June 2015. Now, the Norwottuck Branch Rail Trail is even better for everyone to enjoy!
