Accessible trails

Types of accessible trails

There are many different types of accessible trails in Massachusetts state parks. Any rail trail offers you a paved, level experience for access to natural areas and exercise. Several parks also offer accessibly-designed hiking trails in scenic, natural settings. These accessible trails are either paved or made from stone dust and are usually under a mile long.

All of our accessible trails have a firm, stable surface, without large roots or rocks. The trails are at least 36 inches wide, and usually wider. The slopes on these trails may be higher than the slopes you find on an accessible route, as the trail winds through the landscape. Many of our accessible trails follow the US Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines for sustainable trails for all.

To help you plan your hike, the Universal Access Program is working on updating information about our trails. If you have questions about a trail, would like to recommend a trail for this list, or if you would like hiking recommendations for your area, please contact us.

Boston region accessible trails

Belle Isle Meadow Loop at Belle Isle Marsh Reservation.

Park	Community	Trail name	Miles	Surface	Description
Beaver Brook	Belmont	Loop starting in main parking lot	0.75
Breakheart Reservation	Saugus, Wakefield	Pine tops road	1	Paved	A 1 mile paved forested roadway to Pearce Lake with moderate grades.
Castle Island	Boston	Castle Island Loop	0.75	Paved
Belle Isle Marsh Reservation	East Boston	Belle Isle Meadow Loop	0.6	Stone dust	This half-mile stone dust loop offers boardwalk access to the salt marsh, benches, dynamic birding, and views of planes flying into Logan airport. There are no restrooms.
Charles River Reservation	Watertown	Watertown Riverfront Park and Braille Trail	0.25	Stone dust	This quarter-mile loop is located within the Watertown Riverfront Park sensory garden, at the intersection of Charles River Road and Irving Street. The sensory garden's elements incorporate several senses, including touch, hearing, and smell. The Braille Trail includes a guide wire with beads to mark  interpretive panels and seating. Interpretive panels are offered in both English and Braille.
Charles River Reservation (upper)	Waltham, Newton	Farwell to Elm Street Loop	1.6
Charles River Reservation (upper)	Waltham, Newton	Galen to Bridge Street Loop	1.6
Charles River Reservation (upper)	Waltham, Newton	Moody to Prospect Loop	0.5		A half-mile riverside trail that connects Waltham Center with an accessible canoe launch.
Charles River Reservation Esplanade	Boston	Esplanade Loop	1.5
Mary O'Malley Park	Chelsea	Mary O'Malley Loop	1
Middlesex Fells Reservation	Malden, Medford, Melrose, Stoneham, Winchester	Spot Pond Loop	0.6
Nahant Beach	Lynn	Nahant Beach Promenade Trail	3	Paved	A wide, 3-mile paved pedestrian recreation path with views of the ocean bay and beach access.
Nantasket Beach	Hull	Promenade	1.5
Pleasure Bay	Boston	Pleasure Bay Loop	1.9
Revere Beach Reservation	Revere	Revere Beach Blvd. Trail	0.8
Spectacle Island	Boston	Perimeter Trail	1.5
Wollaston Beach	Quincy	Manet Community Center Road to Health Trail	2
Webb Memorial State Park	Weymouth	n/a	1	Stone dust

North region accessible trails

The accessible trail at Ashland State Park leads to the water.

Park	Community	Trail Name	Miles	Surface	Description
Ashland State Park	Ashland	Accessible Trail	0.25	Paved	A quarter mile paved trail runs from the parking lot to the reservoir and offers benches and great views.
Bradley Palmer State Park	Topsfield	Accessible Trail	0.5	Stone dust	This shaded trail travels over half a mile on level terrain along the Ipswich River.
Harold Parker State Forest	North Andover	Accessible trail at Berry Pond	1	Stone dust
Lowell Heritage State Park	Lowell	Lowell Esplanade	1.5
Walden Pond State Reservation	Concord	House Site Trail	1 mile out and back	Stone dust	This trail starts across from the visitors center and then meanders through the woods to the site of Thoreau's cabin. Trail width: 5-7 feet Cross slope: typical < 2%, maximum 5% Running slope: typical < 5%, maximum 10%

South region accessible trails

The boardwalk at Fall River Heritage State Park runs along the Taunton River.

 

Park	Community	Trail Name	Miles	Surface	Description
Cape Cod Rail Trail	South Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet	Cape Cod Trail Trail	22	Paved	Much of the trail is flat, but several sections are steep. Accessible parking is provided in the DCR parking lot at Nickerson State Forest, near a flat section of the trail.
Fall River Heritage State Park	Fall River	Boardwalk	0.75	Wooden boardwalk	A wide boardwalk along the Taunton River.
Horseneck Beach State Reservation	Westport	Beach Road	2	Paved
Manuel F. Correllus State Forest	Edgartown, W. Tisbury, Oak Bluffs	Bicycle Trail		Paved	10 miles of multi-use trail loop around the Forest, and a smaller 3-mile loop is located inside the Forest. Most of the path is flat, with a few steep sections on the south and southwest side of the Forest. Four paved parking lots are located in the Forest.
Scusset Beach State Reservation	Sandwich	Cape Cod Canal Pathway	7.5	Paved	A 7.5 mile paved walkway skirts the Cape Cod Canal and offers a fishing pier.
Wompatuck State Park	Hingham	Wompatuck	1.25

Central region accessible trails

The accessible trail at Dunn State Park winds through the woods.

 

Park	Community	Trail name	Miles	Surface	Description
Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park	Blackstone, Millville, Uxbridge	Blackstone River Greenway	3.7	Paved
Dunn State Park	Gardner	Woodland Trail	1	Stone dust	A three-quarter-mile stone dust trail that loops through the forest.
J. Harry Rich State Forest	Groton	John Tinker Trail	0.25	Stone dust	This flat, out-and-back trail runs through the woods and along the Nashua River. It offers a bench at the beginning, two rest areas with benches along the way, and a bench and a picnic table at the end. The trailhead is on the north side of Nod Rd., approximately ½ mile ENE from Rte. 119 where it crosses the Nashua River. The lot at the head of the trail is unpaved and has one designated accessible parking space.
Nashua River Rail Trail	Ayer, Groton, Pepperell, Dunstable	Nashua River Rail Trail	11	Paved	Accessible parking is provided in the center of Groton at the Station Road entrance.
Wells State Park	Sturbridge	Mill Pond Trail	1	Stone dust	A 1-mile loop through forested area that includes wetlands and historic stonework. A paved vehicle road leads past the trailhead, but no parking is provided.

West region accessible trails

The accessible trail at Mt. Tom State Reservation runs alongside Lake Bray.

 

Park	Community	Trail Name	Miles	Surface	Description
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail	Lanesborough, Cheshire, Adams	Ashuwillticook Rail Trail	11	Paved
Canalside Rail Trail	East Deerfield, Turners Falls	Canalside Rail Trail	3.7
DAR State Forest	Goshen	Accessible Trail	0.4	Stone dust	Features a one-half mile stabilized stonedust trail that travels through the woods alongside Upper Highland lake. Includes benches, a fishing pier, and lakeside views.
Norwottuck Rail Trail	Northampton, Hadley, Amherst, Belchertown	Norwottuck Rail Trail	11	Paved
Pittsfield State Forest	Pittsfield	Tranquility Trail	0.75	Paved	A paved three-quarter mile trail known as the "Tranquility Trail" winds through the woods and crosses a brook.
Mount Greylock State Reservation	Lanesborough		0.25		This quarter-mile loop trail at the summit of Massachusetts' tallest peak has spectacular views.
Mount Tom State Reservation	Holyoke	Universal Access Trail	0.5	Stone dust	A half-mile forested loop trail along Lake Bray with 2 accessible fishing piers.
Savoy Mountain State Forest	Florida	North Pond Loop (portion)	0.25	Stone dust	A quarter mile of stabilized stone dust trail travels through woods and skirts the pond. Offers benches and views.

Last updated:	January 23, 2019