11 miles, out and back in Rutland on packed stone dust, almost entirely off road, with gentle slopes
Rocks, Water and Sand along the MCRT
Route Description
Ride or walk the MCRT along Moulton and Thayer ponds, through the Pommogussett and Charnock tunnels, along a deep rock cut, high above Rutland State park, and through an inland pine barren. A short side trip on Route 56 takes you to Rutland common, the highest town center east of the Berkshires, where you’ll find stores, restaurants and the town library.
The Route
East to West along the MCRT, 5.4 miles each way.
Mile 0.0 - Start at Glenwood Road where there is parking and an accessible portable restroom.
Additional Information
Parking
​More parking on Whitehall Road, 1/3 mile North of Fisherman’s Rd., and access from the Route 122 parking areas west of Fisherman’s Rd. (usually a porta potty here.)
Mile 0.8 – Site of the 1932 train crash, where two trains collided head-on, probably due to illegible orders. More information here.
Mile 1.1 - Side paths open from the Moulton Pond overlook bench on the right where you can explore pond views and mature woods.
Mile 1.2 - Pass through Pommogussett Tunnel. You’ll see murals depicting pond life here. Take a detour from the trail up the side of the tunnel to a sidewalk along Route 56, and walk up the hill for a short trek to Rutland center – stores, restaurants and library within 0.6 miles.
Mile 1.3 - Continue on the MCRT past the marker for the old station and water tower.
Mile 1.4 - Enter Miles road, turn right and travel a few hundred feet downhill to the parking area and continuation of the MCRT.
Mile 1.7 - Pass along Thayer Pond, a good spot with several benches for year-round bird watching and fishing.
Mile 2.2 - Mill Brook beaver pond on right - good place to see a beaver dam and occasionally, beavers at work.
Mile 2.4 - Note the historic mile marker on the right as you enter the Charnock cut, the highest point on the MCRT and the deepest railroad cut on the entire 104-mile rail corridor. This 900’ long granite cut is cool and mossy on hot summer days and is laden with icicles through the winter. When the trains ran, workers needed to chisel ice from along the curved walls for the engine to pass.
Mile 2.6 – Enter the tunnel under Charnock Hill Rd – completed by Wachusett Greenways with support from Mass Trails, DCR, and many volunteers in 2007. Note the extensive murals in the tunnel describing life in Rutland, created by artist Margaret McCandless in 2021. Photos of these wonderful murals are here.
Mile 3.2 – cross Barrack Hill Rd
Mile 3.5 - Rutland State Park entrance road / Whitehall Rd crossing. There is parking at this crossing. MCRT continues on a causeway high above Whitehall Pond with excellent views.
Mile 4.2 - Intersection with the Midstate Trail. You’ll see the MCRT/Midstate bench and pillar. Turn left to follow the short path to a large parking area and accessible portable restroom at Route 122. [The MidState Trail, a 92-mile hiking trail from Rhode Island to New Hampshire.
Mile 4.8 - Cross Whitehall Rd, entering the Rutland Pine Barrens. This unique ecosystem is more similar to Cape Cod, with sandy, nutrient-poor soils, scrub pine and oak trees, and a variety of plants and animals only found in these rare inland areas.
Mile 5.1 - Cross Muddy Pond on embankment – another excellent location to spot birds.
Mile 5.4 - Short side trail to Muddy Pond parking lot on Route 122 near the Rutland / Oakham border. You can turn around here and head back to the start.
The MCRT in Rutland was constructed by Wachusett Greenways, who actively maintain the trail and encourage its use. Please visit their website. Contributions and volunteers are encouraged.
