| Nashua River Rail Trail | |
|---|---|
 The Nashua River Rail Trail at theGroton School Pond inGroton, MA | |
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| Length | 12.5 mi (20.1 km) |
| Location | Middlesex County, Massachusetts Hillsborough County, New Hampshire |
| Designation | Massachusetts state park |
| Trailheads | Park St. and Main St., Ayer, Massachusetts (42°33′36″N71°35′23″W / 42.560083°N 71.589646°W /42.560083; -71.589646) Gilson Rd. at Country Side Dr., Nashua, New Hampshire (42°42′57″N71°31′55″W / 42.715919°N 71.531963°W /42.715919; -71.531963) |
| Use | Bicycling, inline skating, walking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing |
| Right of way | Former railroad line |
| Maintained by | Department of Conservation and Recreation |
| Website | Nashua River Rail Trail  Nashua  Ayer Location of trailheads in New Hampshire and Massachusetts |
TheNashua River Rail Trail is a 12.5-mile (20.1 km) paved mixed-userail trail in northernMassachusetts and southernNew Hampshire under control of theMassachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). It roughly follows the course of theNashua River, passing through the towns ofAyer,Groton,Pepperell, andDunstable, Massachusetts and ends about a mile across theNew Hampshire state border inNashua, New Hampshire.[1] The trail is used by walkers, cyclists, inline skaters, equestrians, and cross-country skiers.[2]
Ayer was a major junction for both north–south and east–west rail lines during the rapid development of railroad transportation. The Nashua River Rail Trail sits on the formerHollis branch of theBoston and Maine Railroad, which follows an oldNashaway Indian trail.[citation needed] The line was originally part of theWorcester & Nashua Railroad that connectedWorcester, Massachusetts andNashua, New Hampshire, which was opened on July 3, 1848. The line was extended toPortland, Maine in 1874 and it became part of theWorcester, Nashua and Rochester Railroad connecting Worcester and points east to Canada'sGrand Trunk Railroad viaPortland, Maine.
The Boston & Maine Railroad took over the line in 1886 and called it the Worcester, Nashua & Portland (WN&P) Division. Between 1911 and 1912, a second track was added from Worcester to Nashua.
Passenger service on the line ended in 1934. After World War II, with the gradual decline of rail transportation, the line fell into disuse, and the last freight train ran on the line in 1982. Some concrete signal bases can still be seen, and railroad plates and ties can be found buried under the sand.[3]
The DCR bought the Hollis Branch in 1987, and the trail was paved by Mass Highway between 2001 and 2002. The official opening and dedication was on October 25, 2002.[3]
The Nashua River Rail Trail travels along a flat and scenic landscape with many opportunities to see wildlife. The trail passes wetlands, ponds, woods, swamps, and farmland where a variety of wildlife can be viewed, such as beavers, herons and swans.
At the Ayer trailhead, which is close to theAyercommuter rail station offering access to rail service betweenBoston andFitchburg, there is a 60-space parking lot with non-flush public toilets. There are several other parking lots along the trail, which crosses many roads and bridges. Trail users can stop for refreshments in nearby Groton Center or at a restaurant and ice-cream stand in Pepperell.
Free parking is available in Pepperell where the trail crossesMassachusetts Route 113 and at the Nashua trailhead at Yudicky Park.
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| Intrastate | | |
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| Interstate | ||
42°39′00″N71°34′36″W / 42.65000°N 71.57667°W /42.65000; -71.57667
