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

Park |
Community |
Trail name |
Miles |
Surface |
Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Belmont |
Loop starting in main parking lot |
0.75 |
|||
Saugus, Wakefield |
Pine tops road |
1 |
Paved |
A 1 mile paved forested roadway to Pearce Lake with moderate grades. |
|
Boston |
Castle Island Loop |
0.75 |
Paved |
||
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. |
Waltham, Newton |
Farwell to Elm Street Loop |
1.6 |
|||
Waltham, Newton |
Galen to Bridge Street Loop |
1.6 |
|||
Waltham, Newton |
Moody to Prospect Loop |
0.5 |
A half-mile riverside trail that connects Waltham Center with an accessible canoe launch. |
||
Boston |
Esplanade Loop |
1.5 |
|||
Chelsea |
Mary O'Malley Loop |
1 |
|||
Malden, Medford, Melrose, Stoneham, Winchester |
Spot Pond Loop |
0.6 |
|||
Lynn |
Nahant Beach Promenade Trail |
3 |
Paved |
A wide, 3-mile paved pedestrian recreation path with views of the ocean bay and beach access. |
|
Hull |
Promenade |
1.5 |
|||
Boston |
Pleasure Bay Loop |
1.9 |
|||
Revere |
Revere Beach Blvd. Trail |
0.8 |
|||
Boston |
Perimeter Trail |
1.5 |
|||
Quincy |
Manet Community Center Road to Health Trail |
2 |
|||
Weymouth |
n/a |
1 |
Stone dust |
North region accessible trails

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

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

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

Park |
Community |
Trail Name |
Miles |
Surface |
Description |
Lanesborough, Cheshire, Adams |
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail |
11 |
Paved |
|
|
East Deerfield, Turners Falls |
Canalside Rail Trail |
3.7 |
|
|
|
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. |
|
Northampton, Hadley, Amherst, Belchertown |
Norwottuck Rail Trail |
11 |
Paved |
|
|
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. |
|
Lanesborough |
|
0.25 |
|
This quarter-mile loop trail at the summit of Massachusetts' tallest peak has spectacular views. |
|
Holyoke |
Universal Access Trail |
0.5 |
Stone dust |
A half-mile forested loop trail along Lake Bray with 2 accessible fishing piers. |
|
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. |
Contact for Accessible trails
Fax
Address
Last updated: | January 23, 2019 |
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