SOUTHWICK RAIL TRAIL:
SOUTHWICK, MASSACHUSETTS
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: June 28, 2009
Length: Phase I; 3.3 miles
Difficulty: Easy. Flat paved rail trail.
Directions:
To start from Phelps Road near the CT/MA border; From Routes 10 & 202 in Granby, CT, just over the line from MA, take Quarry Rd east from "Five Points" to Phelps Rd on your left. You'll travel underneath the trail and come to a small parking lot on your left. Head north along the Farmington Valley Greenway for 0.3 miles to the start of the Southwick Rail Trail.
To start from the Miller Road parking lot; From Routes 10 & 202 in MA, travel east at the junction of Route 168 towards Congamond. Take a right on Miller Rd just after you cross the trail. Parking will be along the right.
The Farmington Valley Greenway is a ten foot wide paved, 21 mile long, multi-use trail that extends from Farmington, through Avon, Simsbury, Granby and Suffield to the Massachusetts border. See; Farmington Valley Greenway Letterbox . It follows the path of the former Farmington Canal and New Haven & Northampton Railroad. In the future, more trails are hoped to be completed to form the Farmington Canal Heritage Greenway, a trail system running from New Haven, CT to Northampton, MA. At the MA border the trail continues as the Southwick Rail Trail and travels through the town of Southwick. The Southwick Rail Trail will in turn connect to the future Columbia Greenway, in the town of Westfield. This trail is currently funded. The trail will eventually continue along the old rail line through Southampton and into Easthampton on the already completed Manahan Rail Trail. See; Manahan Rail Trail Letterbox . The Manahan Rail Trail will eventually to the Northampton Bike Path in Northampton. See; Northampton Bike Path Letterbox .You'll then be able to access the Norwottuck Rail Trail, which travels from Northampton to Amherst. See; Norwottuck Rail Trail Letterbox .
Starting from the end of the FVG in CT; The Farmington Valley Greenway ends in Suffield, CT at the MA state line. As of September 2009, the last 0.3 miles of the FVG have not been developed, but is ridable with a gravel base. The trail travels through an evolving marsh and alongside a stream that originates from Congamond Lake. After about 0.6 miles you'll leave the marsh and encounter a mix of forest, fields and residential hosing. At 1.1 miles you come alongside Miller Road and a small parking lot. The trail then crosses Congamond Rd (Route 168).
Note; There are several places to grab some refreshments along Congamond Rd. Also, Congamond Lake is located east just a ways down this road.
You cross a bridge over a brook and travel alongside a marsh. You'll travel over a farmers bridge at 2.1 miles and pass by tobacco fields and barns. The trail then passes by Edgewood Golf Course and comes to a tunnel underneath Point Grove Rd. The trail currently ends here at 3.3 miles. The next 3 mile section (Phase II) is currently undeveloped and consists of a sandy base with a very bumpy surface from ATV use. This section has been designed and construction is awaiting the installation of a gas main along the right-of-way. A Phase III will follow in the future.
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NO MAP AT THIS TIME
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT LETTERBOXING