COCHITUATE RAIL TRAIL:
FRAMINGHAM-NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: Sept 25, 2021
Length: Cochituate Rail Trail; 3.3 miles
Carol Getchell Trail; 0.6 miles
Difficulty: Easy. Flat paved rail trail.
Directions:
To start from the Navy Yard Field parking lot in Natick [Southern End]; From the junction of Routes 9 & 27 in North Natick follow Route 27 south for 0.8 miles. Turn right on Washington Ave. The park is on your left.
The Cochituate
Rail Trail
follows the old Saxonville Branch rail
line from the Village of Saxonville in Framingham to an active Boston to Worcester commuter line in Natick Center. Built in 1846,
the historic Saxonville Branch was
used to construct the dam for Lake
Cochituate, which supplied water to the City of Boston from 1848 to 1951.
The line also serviced the textile mills of Saxonville until 1973. See; COCHITUATE RAIL TRAIL;
NATICK
or FRIENDS
OF SAXONVILLE for more information.
Starting from the Navy Yard Field parking lot in Natick [Southern End]; Playground and sports fields located here.
Note; The trail will be extended further south to the MBTA Natick Station with a connection/ramp to Main St in 2022.
Heading North; The wide, paved Cochituate Rail Trail follows a wooded, industrial corridor. You'll pass by the first of several cement RR Whistle Markers on your right before crossing Lake St, followed by General Greene Ave. Informational signs all along the route. Pass by a granite 1 Mile Marker at 0.7 miles (0.3 miles future extension south). Mile markers every mile. Here the trail is below grade as you travel underneath a pedestrian bridge along a wooded section. Pass by the lower portion of the Lake Cochituate before crossing a bridge over Route 9 into Framingham at 1 mile. You now follow alongside the center portion of Lake Cochituate passing by Camp Arrowhead on your right. Cross a causeway. Several overlooks of the lake before coming to a spur trail at 1.8 miles.
Note; This is the Wonder Bread Spur Trail which travels 0.2 miles west to Speen St.
Next you cross a long pedestrian bridge over Route 30 at 2.1 miles.
Note; Right is a spur trail out to Route 30 where a 0.2 mile BIKE LANE travels east up to the entrance for COCHITUATE STATE PARK . Restrooms, parking, picnic tables, beach.
The trail continues north through a business park before traveling underneath the I-90 on/off ramps followed by I-90. A cross-light takes you over Old Connecticut Path at 2.8 miles where you'll cross over Cochituate Brook via an iron bridge. Here the trail follows the brook along your right along a nicely wooded section. Pass by an old RR Semaphore on your right before coming to School St and a Map Board in Saxonville at 3.3 miles and the end of the trail.
Note; From here you can connect to the Weston Aqueduct Trail either on-road or via the Carol Getchell Trail. Cross School St and travel on-road (sidewalk available) along Concord St. Cross a bridge over the Sudbury River and continue north along Concord St. Here you'll travel past the old Saxonville Mills along your left before coming to Danforth St.
Option A; Continue on-road along Concord St, which becomes Elm St, north up hill to where the Weston Aqueduct Trail crosses the road after 1.1 miles.
Option B; Travel right down Danforth St. Just before a bridge over the Sudbury River turn left on Sudbury Landing. Pass by the old Danforth Street Bridge (now a pedestrian bridge) on your right and come to the entrance for the Carol Getchell Trail after 0.6 miles. [Mt Bike recommended] This narrow, hard packed dirt, rock & tree root trail travels north alongside the Sudbury River. The trail starts off utilizing boardwalks along the floodplain. Pass by a set of stairs on your left that lead up to Stapleton School. Pass through a metal fence to a wide grassy area. This is where the Hultman Aqueduct crosses, but no bridge over the river. Pass through another fence as the rocky, rooty trail continues north. Come to the Little Farms Road parking lot after 1.2 miles. A narrow trail continues north bringing you to the Weston Aqueduct Trail after 1.4 miles.
HH
CLICK HERE FOR COCHITUATE RAIL TRAIL MAP
CLICK HERE FOR SAXONVILLE AREA TRAIL MAPS
CLICK HERE FOR SAXONVILLE TRAIL MAPS
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT
