Explore the best rated trails in Athol, MA. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Common Pathway and Appel Way Trail. With more than 73 trails covering 603 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Beautiful day for this 7.2 mile ride the from trailhead to Elling, where we turned around. Great trail surface with only one area where a water puddle on the trail could not be avoided. We encountered a few people walking dogs, but only one other biker. We rode mid morning. Great trail… at least these 7.2 miles!
June 2023
This trail is second to none! Rode from Lanesboro to Adams-- flat, clean great scenery. Many turtles, water birds, and spotted a deer. Considering a return in the fall as I am sure the color is amazing.
A very nice park leading from the center of Nashua to the YMCA. Really a nice asset for the community. As very little of the trail is paved, I suspect it would be difficult for road bikes but for anyone with a Hybrid or Mountain Bike, this is a nice get away. It weaves through both woods and along the waterway, providing a nice feeling of getting into nature. Definitely worth checking out for a ride someday.
A very nice trail which is well kept. As such, it is quite crowded with walkers, runners and rollerbladers and understandably so. That said, for cyclists, I would recommend looking elsewhere. Not only is the trail on the shorter side but with so many other users, you'll find yourself constantly weaving and even stopping due to congestion.
Road the trail last week end-to-end as an out and back from the great southern trailhead parking area on Crane Avenue (bathroom). Trail is in excellent condition and a great ride.
Road part of this trail as an out and back in conjunction with the Southwick RT and the Columbia Greenway RT from Avon, CT, to Westfield, MA, an approximately 50 mile round trip (25 on the Farmington Canal Trail).
The trail is in very good condition. The transition to the Southwick Trail at the CT/MA border (with no road crossing) is seamless.
Road crossings decrease as you head north and are well marked with push-button warning signals to alert traffic.
Half Mile Falls Park at the north end of the Columbia Trail in Westfield is definitely worth a stop!
Road this trail as an out and back in conjunction with the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail and the Columbia Greenway RT from Avon, CT, to Westfield, MA, an approximately 50 mile round trip.
The trail is in excellent condition. The transitions to the Farmington Canal Trail at the CT/MA border (with no road crossing) and to the Columbia Greenway RT on the north are seamless.
The mileage markers are great!
Half Mile Falls Park at the north end of the Columbia Trail is definitely worth a stop!
Road part this trail as an out and back in conjunction with the Southwick RT and the Columbia Greenway RT from Avon, CT, to Westfield, MA, an approximately 50 mile round trip.
This trail should be a 5 but it is closed at Main Street in Westfield with no information on when it will reopen or detours.
Beautiful section in terms of scenery and access to lakes and ponds. The surface can be challenging. Today, with fairly dry conditions, it could be negotiated with hybrid bikes.
As for rail trails go, this one the cream of the crop. It is very flat and paved. People with narrow tire road bikes will do just fine. I believe it is a mile or so longer then what they say it is.
An odd thing about this trail. When you pull into the parking area on the Nashua end, there is no clear signage that it is the Nashua River Trail. Heading out of the parking lot, on the trail, I noticed the back of the signs marking it as the Nashua Rail Trail . It seems the signage should be on the other side of the trail with the writing of the sign being in front of you.
On the Lowell end of the trail, about the last 2 miles or so, you run parallel to route 495 and cross under Route 3 so the traffic noise is noticeable, but otherwise, a VERY nice trail. Mostly through the woods and with a number of bodies of water along the way, including a beach for you to enjoy. What's almost unbelievable is the condition of the trail as it seems like it must have been just paved as there are practically no bumps, frost heaves or potholes. You'll never set a personal best for speed on this trail as there are a number of crossings, often to just 2 or 3 homes on the other side, so while the chance of traffic is minimal, you'll still need to slow down or stop. That said, a thoroughly enjoyable ride of 30 miles, all the way down and back. Definitely worth checking out!
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