Trail Guide (West to East)

Suggested Itinerary and Sights to See

Mile
0.0 mi - Northampton offers a vibrant downtown area.  There are many restaurants, stores and people in the downtown area.  The Manhan Rail Trail continues south from here to Mt Tom and Easthampton.

0.7 mi - Connection to the Northampton Rail Trail, which continues to Florence and Leeds villages for a total of 2.5 miles.

1.4 mi - Connecticut River Greenway State Park - Walk or ride across the Connecticut river on the restored railroad bridge.

Alternative Routes
This pleasant 8-mile ride starts in Northampton and ends in Amherst, providing a easy connection between two bustling college towns. If you are looking for additional miles, continue on the trail until its eastern end in Belchertown, and optionally take the trail all the way back to Northampton for a 24-mile out-and-back ride.

An alternative, equidistant return route for the more adventurous: ride South on Warrenwright Road to Orchard Street, then West to and along Bay Road (refuel with Atkins Farm donuts) and across the Hampshire College campus (home to the Eric Carle Museum and the Yiddish Book Center), continuing west along their farm roads (see map), then north on Maple St (cool off with Cook Farm ice cream), and west on (car-free!) Moody Bridge Road (traversing the Conte National Wildlife Refuge) to West Bay Rd, West to West St, and North to the historic Hadley town common (which you already crossed on your outbound ride), and back across the trestle bridge over the Connecticut River to where you began!