Easthampton to Amherst via Norwottuck Trail (MA-USA)

Enjoy quintessential New England on this expertly maintained rail trail through the pioneer valley of Western, MA

Overview

Ideal for people of all levels, including families!

Bask in the glory of quintessential New England on this amazing rail trail. Quite possibly, the friendliest place in MA, the Norwottuck trail takes you through the stunning Pioneer Valley in Western Massachusetts. The entire length of the route is on separated cycle path so it is an amazing option for bikers of all levels.

The path is mostly flat, well-maintained, and shaded, making it ideal for biking, running, walking, and skating through forests, marshlands, and farmland. The route also connects with the Northampton Bikeway, Manhan Rail Trail, and traverses the Connecticut River Greenway State Park. If you are new to the area, the Pioneer Valley is home to several world-class universities, each with their own unique but gorgeous campus settings.

Difficulty Explained

This trail is super inviting to people of all levels. It's entirely car-free, small elevation gains and close to resources which make logistics very simple.

Notable Towns along the path:

Amherst, MA
Hadley, MA
Northampton, MA
Easthampton, MA
Florence, MA (This is an optional detour from the advertised route which can be accessed in Northampton)

Amherst to Easthampton, MA via Norwottuk Trail

Interactive map showing the complete route. Green marker indicates start point, red marker shows the end point.

Local Businesses

Food/Drink

Abandoned Building Brewery (Easthampton, MA): Great brewery inside a newly renovated old mill building. Also makes for a cool stop to enjoy the various small businesses. . Directly off the trail.

New City Brewery (Easthampton, MA): Great brewery inside a newly renovated old mill building. Also makes for a cool stop to enjoy the various small businesses. . Directly off the trail.

Cushmans Cafe (Amherst, MA): Awesome local cafe with a great brunch menu to fuel up on the ride. Also a mini grocery store for some essential needs. . 1 mile North of the Trail.

Hadley Scoop (Hadley, MA): Awesome ice cream spot where you can literally pet the cows where the cream comes from!!. 500 ft south of the trail.

Local Burger (Northampton, MA): Great Burgers!. Directly off the trail.

Familiars Coffee and Tea (Northampton): Great cafe with healthy eats. . Directly off the trail.

Lodging

Suggest Local Businesses

Resources

Northampton Bicycle (Northampton): Local bike shop with a connected bar which is open for special events. Highly Recommend!. .5 mile from the trail .

UMass Bike Co-Op (Amherst, MA): Super-friendly bike shop run by UMass students. Offer great community and awesome services. Also a lovely place to take a stroll as your bike is getting worked on!. .5 mile from the trail .

Hampshire Bicycle Exchange (Amherst, MA): Great local bike shop with super helpful and knowledgable employees. Directly off the trail.

Notable Sites + Highlights

Fall Colors! If you are ever in the area in October, you will be treated to an explosion of yellow and red along the entirety of the route.

The Mills in Easthampton - Previously abandoned factory which was recently revitalized. Now contains several awesome small businesses and nice eating/drinking establishments to enjoy the gorgeous views of Mount Tom!

Norwottuck Rail Trail Bridge- a 1,492-foot converted railroad bridge spanning the Connecticut River between Northampton and Hadley, providing panoramic river and valley views

Smith College Campus- One of the prettiest college campuses in the US. It is located directly on the trail in Northampton and makes for a nice rest spot.

Logistics

Transportation To and From

To Start: Easthampton is not well connected by public transit but parking is plentiful at the start.
To Finish: Belchertown is also not well connected by public transit but parking is plentiful
From Finish to Start: No direct connection from finish to start, hence the Out-and-Back.
In Between: However if you are unable to complete the entire route, you can take the local R43 PVTA bus from Northampton to Amherst which accepts bikes for free and will shave off 10 miles from the total trip.

Recommended Gear

Bike: Any bike should suffice for this trail as it is predominantly on asphalt.
Clothing: This is a short enough ride that if you check the weather ahead you can plan accordingly.

Navigation

Signage: Navigating this route is very straightforward and ample signage and mileposts along the route.

Resources Along the Way

Food & Water: There are resources all along this route.
Cell Signal: Signal is great the entire route.

Tips

Best Seasons: Early spring through late fall (March–November) for best weather and road conditions. They do plow some sections of this route during snow so it is possible to ride in the winter.
- Fall is the best!
Emergency Number (USA/Canada): 911 (+1 country code).

Important Warnings

This is a very safe trail for all skill levels. There is no notable safety issues along the trail other than using common sense.

Route Details

Distance(Miles)

40 mi

Duration

1-2 Days

Elevation(ft)

400

Countries

United States

Start/End Points

Amherst, MA -> Easthampton, MA

Route Format

Out and Back

Bike Lane Types

Bike Path

100%

Separated Bike Lane

Shared Lane

External Resources

Official Norwottuck Rail Trail

Friends of Northampton Trails

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