Mass Central Rail Trail
Completed rail-trail sections trace a former east-west railroad through cities, reservoirs, woods, farms, and small towns toward a future statewide route.
Artwork inspired by Elizabeth Wentworth Roberts
Completed rail-trail sections trace a former east-west railroad through cities, reservoirs, woods, farms, and small towns toward a future statewide route. The important fact is discontinuity. Local segments already function beautifully, but gaps, detours, ownership, surfaces, and active planning prevent treating the corridor as one seamless ride.
Choose a named completed section and use its current local map. Do not route from Boston to Northampton on the project line without verifying every gap and road connection. Online maps can visually blur open, interim, and proposed sections. Confirm legal access and never enter active or private rail property.
- Vision
- Boston to Northampton
- Status
- Multiple completed and planned segments
- Heritage
- Former Massachusetts Central Railroad
Quick guide
- Name the segment
- The statewide line is not continuous.
- Download local data
- Surface and access change by manager.
Know before you go
- Name the segment
- The statewide line is not continuous.
- Download local data
- Surface and access change by manager.
- Verify every gap
- Project maps include future trail.
- Notice infrastructure
- Bridges and cuts reveal railroad engineering.
Good to know
Online maps can visually blur open, interim, and proposed sections. Confirm legal access and never enter active or private rail property.
Notice these
- Wachusett Greenways
- Norwottuck segment links
- Historic rail structures