Hiking in Assabet River Rail Trail: trails, map and practical info

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The Assabet River Rail Trail runs through five central Massachusetts communities—Marlborough, Hudson, Stow, Maynard, and Acton—along the converted right-of-way of the old Marlborough Branch of the Fitchburg Railroad. The completed sections total approximately 8-10 miles with only about 20 meters of elevation gain, making this about as flat as trails get in New England, which makes it genuinely accessible for just about anyone: families with young kids, casual cyclists, runners, and hikers looking for a relaxed outing without the quad burn. When fully completed to 12.5 miles, budget around two hours for the currently completed southern section or plan accordingly for whichever section you're targeting.

The trail is still being developed, and understanding its current layout matters before you show up expecting a seamless end-to-end experience. There are two completed sections separated by a gap in the middle, so you'll want to pick your access point based on which section you're targeting. The completed portions total approximately 8-10 miles depending on exact route variations and which segments are open.