Located on 446 Damon Rd, the Norwottuck Rail Trail is an 11 mile path linking Northampton, Hadley, and Amherst along the former Boston & Main Railroad. The path's level terrain provides safe passage for pedestrians, wheelchairs, joggers, skaters, bicyclists, and cross-country skier of all ages and abilities.

A little history

The Norwottuck Rail Trail was opened in 1992, but was actually built in 1887 by the Central Massacusetts Railroad Company. It connected the City of Boston with the City of Northampton. By the 1920s there were three round trip passenger trains and numerous freight trains running between Boston and Northampton. As the automobile and trucking industries grew, railroads began to lose their importance. The rail trail was named Norwottuck at the suggestion of the Hadley Historical Commission. Historians believe that the Native Americans who lived here before the European settlers were called the Norwottucks. Translated, norwottuck means "in the midst of the river" the Native American term for the entire area.

Over the bridge

When you travel to the Norwottuck Rail Trail with your handicap van rentals in Boston you will find that this trail is used by bicyclers, rollerbladers, and hikers. Both recreational and commuter traffic occurs here. Sights to see with your handicap van rentals in Boston include the Norwottuck Rail Trail Bridge over the Connecticut River. The beaver pond near the eastern end of the trail is host to a number of different kinds of birds including great blue heron and various woodpeckers, as well as ducks, turtles, and various other critters.

Connecticut River

When you travel with your handicap van rentals in Boston to the Norwottuck Rail Trail don't forget to take in the beauty of the Connecticut River. The Connecticut River is the largest river in New England, and an American Heritage River. It flows south from the Connecticut Lakes in New Hampshire and its path denotes the border between the states of New Hampshire and Vermont. The area around the Connecticut River provides all sorts of recreation for handicap van rentals in Boston travellers. For the fisherman, the river holds native brook trout, rainbow trout, large brown trout, shad, smallmouth bass, striped bass, carp, catfish, American eel, and several other species of game fish. Landlocked salmon make their way into the river during spring spawning runs of bait fish and during their fall spawn. The river has fly-fishing-only regulations on 5 miles of river. Most of the river from Lake Francis south is open to lure and bait as well. Two tail-water dams provide cold river water for miles downstream making summer fishing on the Connecticut River excellent.

Around the area

Connecting Northhampton and Belchertown, you should definitely make time to see what these two historic towns have to offer when you travel with your handicap van rentals in Boston to the Norwottuck rail trail.

Ready for an update

Given the age of the Norwottuck Rail Trail it is not surprising that the trail has degraded over time. One aspect of the problem is that the original pavement was an attempt at being "green", and incorporated crushed used glass bottles as part of its aggregate. This material has been slowly emerging over time, causing flat tires and other issues. Another issues if the need to widen the rail to better accommodate the busy traffic on weekends. There are various other possible connections being considered, such as a connection to the Canalside Rail Trail.

Before you go

For more information when you travel with your handicap van rentals in Boston to Norwottuck Rail Trail check out the Department of Conservation and Recreation at www.mass.gov