Major Trails for Running

Written by Caleb Kussmaul

For my Tip Tuesday I hope to introduce everyone to the major paths in the area. This post covers basically any rail-trail-like linear infrastructure that’s long and smooth enough to run on. That includes an aqueduct, a reservoir dike, an abandoned trolley line, and plenty of regular old roads connecting them when necessary. Some of them also don’t quite exist yet. Basically this is my Tuesday, so I’m making the rules and I’m not that picky about it. The above graphic shows a simplified map of how all of these trails relate to each other and the towns of Hudson and Marlborough.

Before diving into the details, here’s some Massachusetts trail resources:

MassDOT Priority Trails Network Viewer
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/75ad0564b18f48f5973657d65d2a775d/page/Page/

This map really only works on a full computer, but if you’re on a phone it’s honestly worth saving for later. It is the single best resource for understanding the current and future state of trails in Massachusetts. It also shows bike lanes, if you’re into that sort of thing. Using this alongside Garmin’s “popular routes” and Strava’s “global heatmap” can turn any weird dude who stares at maps into a proper trail guru. 

Local Trail Groups & Links

Some and trusts, friend groups, etc. that you may want to join or find resources from:

Without further ado – the actual trails:

Assabet River Rail Trail (ARRT)

Assabet River Rail Trail (South Section)

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/313448746

The first trail to cover is the 5.4 mile purple squiggle featured above running through the heart of Hudson and Marlborough. You know it, you love it – and what’s not to love about its shady walnut trees and steady 317 feet of incline? It’s rare to not find a strider on this section of path, and it’s easy to see why. Like wolves, they will sometimes be found alone – but often hunt in packs.

Assabet River Rail Trail (North Section)

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/313448409

The same ARRT also picks up to the north in Stow, and will take you through Maynard and into Acton. In the future, you’ll be able to follow it past the Bruce Freeman trail and on to the Reformatory Branch, Narrow Gauge, and Minuteman Bikeway trails (albeit, probably on a bike if you’re going that far). It also provides access to Assabet River Wildlife Refuge trails. Despite this, it’s often neglected as the overlooked step-sibling of our own south section, and its unfinished trail surface reflects that. It’s worth checking out though, and one day will be a core connector at the heart of the network. 

Bruce Freeman (BFRT)

Bruce Freeman (Sudbury – Lowell)

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/313435287

This trail is a beloved part of every community it runs through over its 20 mile stretch. Its humbling pedestrian-only bridge over rt 2 is a monument to Massachusetts’ new-found interest in treating cyclists, runners, families, and other non-motorized human beings as first-class citizens. Even roller-bladers can enjoy this unbroken stretch of nearly perfect pavement from Lowell to Sudbury, though they’ll have to contend with the impressive traffic that the trail can bring. This trail wasn’t a local trail for HCS, but its rapid southern extension as well as the development of the MCRT in Sudbury makes it a welcome new neighbor. Note that the recently developed section north of the MCRT is paved, but not yet officially open. 

Upper Charles Trail / Holliston Rail Trail

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/313468010

As the BFRT rapidly extends itself southward like some kind of parasitic slime mold, this twin pair of seemingly distant trails also enters our horizon. Often confused by name with the unrelated Charles River Reservation trail, these equally manicured 13.4 mile paths will eventually find themselves merged with the BFRT. This connection will bring several large towns to the BFRT & MCRT network, and as a result is a high priority project for MassDOT. 

Mass Central Rail Trail (MCRT)

Mass Central Rail Trail: Hudson to Sudbury

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/313430562

Eversource is currently laying an underground power transmission line through this 7.6 mile section, and will hand their gravely path of perturbed soil over to the DCR once they’re done. The next section of Hudson’s MCRT to Felton rd is supposedly on track for 2029-30, and hopefully some progress can be made coming from the west as well.

The Sudbury section was famously obstructed by a well funded and well lawyered opposition group, however its development has opened up a floodgate of optimism and funding for other towns on the MCRT corridor. While it’s perfectly straight path might not seem too exciting, it will be a scenic route through some of the largest and most unique forests in the area. There’s still a missing gap before the MCRT continues into Wayland, Weston, and Waltham – but the long way around via Pelham Island rd is honestly quite nice as far as trail detours go, and I would certainly recommend it over following Rt 20. 

MCRT: Clinton Wachusett Reservoir North Dike Trail

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/313424483

The reservoir is pretty, but it’s also pretty short. You can now extend this a bit by crossing 110 and running along the tracks across the street. As far as extending the trail further, the unsung heroes at the Clinton Greenway Conservation Trust are doing their best to get across the Wachusett Dam and through the Clinton Tunnel. Another short but scenic section between Berlin and Rauscher Farm is in progress. Berlin, too, is in progress – and its section from Coburn Rd and Hudson is a fairly clear path.

MCRT: West Boylston

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/313427147

Admittedly this is a bit of a hike for a 4.9 mile out-and-back trail, but it’s certainly worth it. The trail follows the Quinapoxet River through a Hemlock forest and I personally consider it the most beautiful running spot around. This isn’t the end of the line though, there’s more MCRT to enjoy not too much further west as well.

Wachusett Aqueduct + Sudbury Reservoir Trail

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/313427147

Do you love running on grass? Well boy do I have the trail for you! This 20 mile route follows Boston’s backup water supply through Southborough. Parts of it have nice trail signs and granite obelisks, which fade unceremoniously into parts where you might be better off with a machete. The aqueduct bridge in Northborough also forms an impressive centerpiece to this route, however it’s not currently open to the public. It’s better enjoyed from afar anyways, I suppose. At a certain point the route might become ambiguous and have you wondering – am I supposed to be here? Why was this on a list of “rail trails” anyways? Well, it’s a nature-lined trail that goes on forever, and despite its inconsistent maintenance it’s actually a very nice and forgiving running surface. Again, this is my Tuesday and it counts in my book, and I honestly find its quiet and underimproved nature charming. 

Westborough Boston Worcester Airline Trail

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/313427147

The recently opened 1.67mi section represents over a decade of dedicated effort led by Don Burn, and there’s more on the near horizon. That said, this trail is not really a running destination just yet. What it really represents is a budding community asset for Westborough, and the start of a much needed safe and efficient bike commuter highway between Worcester and Framingham. It will connect up to Northborough and Hudson via spurs (that also connect to the aforementioned aqueduct, bringing Berlin, Clinton, etc. into the mix too!). This one may never have the running potential as the other trails, at least for HCS. But it’s still a really cool part of the local trail community that deserves far more attention.

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Judy Proteau

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