James J. Fiorentini BRADFORD RAIL TRAIL:
Brian S. Dempsey HAVERHILL RIVERFRONT BOARDWALK:
BRADFORD/HAVERHILL, MASSACHUSETTS
GROVELAND COMMUNITY TRAIL:
GROVELAND, MASSACHUSETTS
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: August 02, 2023
Length: Bradford Rail Trail; 0.8 miles
Haverhill Riverfront Boardwalk; 0.6 miles w/gaps.
Groveland Community Trail; x miles
Difficulty: Bradford Rail Trail; Easy. Flat paved rail trail.
Haverhill Riverfront Boardwalk; Easy. Flat boardwalk.
Groveland Community Trail; Easy. Flat paved rail trail.
Directions:
Starting from Laurel Ave in Bradford for the Bradford Rail Trail [Western End]; From I-495 take exit 107 to Route 113 and head east to downtown Haverhill. Turn right over the Comeau Bridge crossing the river to Bradford. Turn left on S Elm St. The parking lot is located on your left, at the rear between two businesses.
Starting from Shanahan Field parking lot in Groveland for the Groveland Community Trail [Northern End]; From I-495 take exit 107 to Route 113 and head east crossing the Merrimack River to Groveland. Take an immediate right along Main St and travel 0.6 miles. Parking lot on your right. From the parking lot you'll need to travel south on-road along Main St to the trailhead on your left after 0.2 miles.
The James J. Fiorentini Bradford Rail Trail and Groveland Community Trail follow the rail bed of the old Georgetown Branch Railroad, chartered in March of 1844 and later acquired by the Boston & Maine RR. Finally, the Pan Am Railway abandoned the line. The Bradford Rail Trail follows the Merrimack River to Groveland, where the rail line traveled southeast to Georgetown. Across the river in Haverhill, the Brian S. Dempsey Haverhill Riverfront Boardwalk will travel alongside the Merrimack River between the Basiliere & Comeau Bridges. When complete you will be able to create a Loop utilizing both trails. Both trails are also part of the regional Merrimack River Trail, a planned Greenway along the Merrimack River through Massachusetts. For more information visit; BRADFORD RAIL TRAIL & Merrimack River Trail .
Haverhill Riverfront Boardwalk:
Starting from the Haverhill Dock parking lot in Haverhill [Western End]; A short Boardwalk travels East from below the RR Bridge (travels next to the Comeau Bridge) alongside the Merrimack River to Riverfront Park. Currently, as of 2023, a 0.2 mile gap exists to the next section. The Boardwalk then continues East from Elliott Pl, where you access the trail via stairs up to the top of the flood wall, alongside the Merrimack River to the Basiliere Bridge after 0.3 miles. Currently, as of 2023, a there is no link to the trail which continues on the east side of the bridge. The paved Riverfront Trail continues East alongside the Merrimack River to River Rest Park and out to Water St after 0.2 miles.
Further East, another short section of the paved Riverfront Trail, travels from Riverside Ave east through Riverside Park. Future plans call for continuing the paved trail along the Merrimack River east, behind River’s Edge Plaza to the William H. Bates Veterans Memorial Bridge (Route 113). Funded 2023.
Bradford Rail Trail:
Starting from Laurel Ave (Comeau Bridge) in Bradford [Western End]; To access the trail travel back out to S Elm St and head right. You'll quickly pick up the trail head on your left.
The paved Bradford Rail Trail travels east above the Merrimack River. Kiosk located at the trailhead. Look left to spot an old RR Mileage Marker that reads G6/B0 (Georgetown 6 miles/Bradford 0 miles). Come to the Basiliere Bridge (Route 125) after 0.6 miles. Kiosk located here. A spur to your right leads up to the Basiliere Bridge. The trail continues underneath the Basiliere Bridge along the old rail bed out to S River St at 0.8 miles.
Note; Left leads to Washington Landing Park.
Note; Future plans will extend the trail southeast to connect to the Groveland Community Trail.
Groveland Community Trail:
Starting from Main Street in Groveland [Northern End]; Map Board located here.
Note; Future plans will extend the trail northwest to connect to the Bradford Rail Trail.
The paved Groveland Community Trail travels Southeast along the old rail bed.
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CLICK HERE FOR BRADFORD RAIL TRAIL MAP
CLICK HERE FOR GROVELAND COMMUNITY TRAIL MAP
CLICK HERE FOR BORDERS TO BOSTON MAP
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT