West Boylston and Holden 12.6 mile out and back on stonedust paved shared-use path.
Very gradual hills with a few short, moderately steep areas.
Tour Along the Quinapoxet
Route Description
This tour takes you through pristine woodlands in the Wachusett Reservoir watershed, a main source of water for the metro Boston area. Next to you is the Quinapoxet River, a clear stream that flows around boulders and over rapids. There are plenty of locations for a stop along the route to see the sights, including two trail bridges that cross the river. Wachusett Greenways constructs and maintains the central portion of the MCRT through Holden and West Boylston in partnership with the DCR, DWSP, eight Towns and others.
The Route
Start at the Thomas Street parking lot (155-159 Thomas St. West Boylston, MA)
Mile
0.0 - Thomas Street parking lot
0.1 - Trail from parking lot to MCRT, turn right,
 Quinapoxet River on the left
1.2 - Cross underneath I 290 (the only noisy place
along the route)
1.4 - Springdale Mills
2.6 - First of 2 bridges over the Quinapoxet River
constructed by Wachusett Greenways
2.8 - Mill St parking lot
3.0 - Overlook high over Quinapoxet River
3.6 - Shaft #2 of the Quabbin Aqueduct
3.7 - Cross Manning St and continue on the
MCRT IF the section is open; if not, go left on
Manning St (caution – busy road) for a mile to
the snack shops
6.0 - Left on Wachusett Street (busy road, bumpy
pavement)
6.5 - Left into Goodhile’s /Stewart’s parking lot for
a snack, exit towards the right onto
Manning Street (busy road)
7.2 – Right onto trail from road
7.8 – Bear right
8.3 – Sharp left at bottom of hill onto MCRT trail
11 - Left on connector to parking lot
Additional Information
Parking
174 Thomas Street, West Boylston
River St. Holden signed MCRT entrance (just beyond 300 River St. horse farm)
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Manning St., Holden ~#170 (42.38260, -71.83856)
Accessible portable restrooms year-round at Thomas St. and River St., and at the Springdale Mill Site on the MCRT from May-Nov.
Why this is an essential MCRT route
Spring brings rare lady slippers and lilies of the valley, and other wildflowers along the trail.
The Springdale Mill Interpretive Site for a once bustling woolen mill is here between the Quinapoxet River and the old Mass Central Rail line. Follow the foot trail through the mill site and uphill to the mill worker tenement foundations. Granite pillars with interpretive signs guide the way. Or visit here for a self-guided tour.
Just before crossing Manning Street, on the right is a large vent for the Quabbin Aqueduct, one of the longest underground aqueducts in the world, supplying over 500 M gallons of water to the Boston area each day.
From Manning St., the MCRT navigates a hill with a series of gentle switchbacks and long sweeping turns that bring riders 2.3 miles west to Wachusett Street (Route 31).
At the western end of this route, you’ll find refreshments at Goodhile’s Grocery and Stewart’s Chocolates.
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