HOLYOKE CANALWALK:
HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: August 22, 2025
Length: Canalwalk Loop; 3.6 miles.
Pulaski Park Loop; 1 mile
Difficulty: Easy. Flat paved/brick-lined trail with some on-road segments.
Directions:
To Start from the Holyoke Heritage State Park [Northern End];
From I-391 take Exit 6 to Commercial St which turns into Nickie Cosmos Way. Turn right at Appleton St and take a quick left into the park.
From I-91 take Exit 15 to Route 141 east to Appleton. The park entrance will be along your left just past Heritage St.
The Holyoke Canalwalk is a planned promenade along the First & Second Level Canals. Decorative paving and landscaping, railings, fences, streetlights and benches will enhance and maintain the canal banks. The Canalwalk will join existing features such as the Children's Museum, Heritage State Park and the Volleyball Hall of Fame. The Holyoke Canals, built in the late 1800's, converted the force of the Connecticut River into enormous industrial power, allowing Holyoke to become the first planned industrial city in the country. The main industry of Holyoke was the production of paper, and at it's height, Holyoke was the largest paper producing city in the world. I've included directions from Heritage State Park to allow for a Loop encompassing all 3 Canals in the city, as well as, an optional Loop through Pulaski Park. For more information visit; HOLYOKE CANALWALK & HERITAGE STATE PARK .
Starting from the Holyoke Heritage State Park parking lot [Northern End]; The Holyoke Merry-Go-Round is located next to the parking lot.
Note; Behind the Merry-Go-Round building, is the Heritage State Park Visitor Center, which has Maps and restrooms.
From the Southern End of the parking lot a paved trail crosses over the old RR tracks. This will bring you to the cement Canalwalk along the Upper First Level Canal. Head right, South, out to *Appleton Street and turn left, Southeast, crossing over the Canal. Turn left, North, again following the brick lined Lower First Level Canal to Dwight St. Head right, Southeast, down Dwight St and across the Canal to **Race Street. Turn right, South, following the brick lined Lower Second Level Canal. Here you'll find benches and promenades overlooking the Canal. You'll come to an old RR bridge across the Canal. Follow it North, across the Canal to the Upper Second Level Canal and head left, South, along the bricked lined path back out to *Appleton Street. Turn left back over the Canal back to **Race Street. Head left, North, back along the brick lined Lower Second Level Canal, where you'll find more benches and promenades overlooking the Canal. Pass back past the bridge over the Canal to Middle St and turn right, Southeast, on-road, to Main St. Turn right, South and you'll pick up a BIKE LANE to *Appleton Street. Turn right, Northwest, back to the Lower Second Level Canal. Travel left, South, on-road, along **Race Street and the Lower Second Level Canal. A wide shoulder is available along this low volume industrial road. Continue across Cabot St, passing by an old RR bridge across the Canal and checking out the stone arched tunnels where the water emerges after passing underneath the mill buildings. This brings you to Sergeant St where both sides of the Canal are blocked off. Turn left, Southeast and follow Sergeant St out to S Canal St at 1.5 miles. Head left, Northeast, on-road, along the Upper Third Level Canal. Very industrial area. After crossing Cabot St and some RR tracks the Canal disappear for a bit as you now travel along N Canal St. At 2.2 miles the Canal reemerges as it flows into the Connecticut River at what I believe to be a power station. The road turns North, then East. Across the Canal are some beautiful brick mill buildings (Valley Paper Company). Come to Route 116 at 2.8 miles. Continue along Canal St, briefly losing sight of the Canal. It reappears at the Holyoke Water Power Park, as the road turns South. Pass below a RR bridge and come to Lyman St at 3 miles. Head right, on-road, Northwest, up Lyman St across the Second Level Canal to ***Open Square Way.
Note; Be sure to check out The Warehouse on your right, North, where you'll find an ecliptic assortment of objects outside (kids will love it).
Note; [Re-zeroing Mileage] From here you can take a quick detour to check out Pulaski Park, which overlooks the Connecticut River, the Holyoke Dam and the Canal that diverts the river through Holyoke. Continue along Lyman St, crossing the First Level Canal and take your first right on St Kolbe Dr, then your next right down to the Pulaski Park parking lot at 0.3 miles. Here the paved Pulaski Park Trail travels North, past the playground, Skate Park & Spray Park. RR tracks along your right and below them the First Level Canal. The trail splits, keep right along the RR tracks, passing by promenades overlooking the Canal. Come to Arbor Way and Loop back through the center of the park, back to the Pulaski Park parking lot at 0.5 miles. Then return to ***Open Square Way after a 1 mile Loop.
Continuing from ***Open Square Way. Travel South, on-road, along Open Square Way, past the old converted brick, mill buildings and along the Lower First Level Canal to Dwight St. Turn right, Northwest, crossing the Canal, then left, South, along the cement Canalwalk along the Upper First Level Canal. Travel past the CHILDREN'S MUSEUM , VOLLEYBALL HALL OF FAME and a Spur up to the Heritage State Park Visitor Center. Continue straight past a playground, sculptures and benches back to the trail on your right, which crosses back over the RR tracks, returning you to the Heritage State Park parking lot after a Loop of 3.6 miles.
HH
CLICK HERE FOR HOLYOKE CANALWALK MAP
CLICK HERE FOR PULASKI PARK LOOP MAP
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT