WHITNEY SPUR RAIL TRAIL:
COHASSET, MASSACHUSETTS
WOMPATUCK STATE PARK:
HINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: April 27, 2025
Length: Whitney Spur Rail Trail; 1.4 to 1.9 miles (officially 1.6 miles)
Wompatuck SP Outer Loop Trail; 4.3 miles
Wompatuck SP Inner Loop Trail; 2.7 miles
Wompatuck SP North Loop Trail; Unknown
Wompatuck SP South Loop Trail; Unknown
Difficulty: Whitney Spur Rail Trail; Easy. Flat stone-dust rail trail.
Wompatuck SP Loop Trail; Easy to Moderate. Old wide paved roads. Hilly in spots, could be tough for kids on bikes.
Directions:
Whitney Spur Rail Trail/Wompatuck State Park Loop:
Starting from the Cohasset Train Station in Cohasset [Northern End]; Follow Route 3A south from Quincy through North Weymouth and Hingham. Less then 0.5 miles after crossing into Cohasset look left for the entrance to the MBTA station. This is where the trail crosses the road. Enter the parking lot. Free, 4 hr trail parking is located immediately on your right.
You may also access this trail from the MBTA's Greenbush Line. For information about taking your bike on the subway visit; MBTA-BIKE .
Wompatuck State Park:
Starting from the ^Wompatuck State Park Visitor Center in Hingham for the Inner & Outer Trails [Western End]; Follow Route 3A south from Quincy through North Weymouth to the harbor in Hingham (just before the rotary). Turn right on Water St and follow the Main St. Head left. Cross Route 228 (Short St) and continue along Middle St, which turns into Union St. Follow Union St into the Main Park entrance. Park at the Visitor Center or parking lot B.
Starting from the Mt Blue Spring parking lot in Hingham for the North & South Loop Trails [Center]; Follow Route 3A south from Quincy through North Weymouth to the harbor in Hingham (just before the rotary). Turn right on Water St and follow the Main St. Head left. Cross Route 228 (Short St) and continue along Middle St, which turns into Union St. Follow Union St into the Main Park entrance. Continue past the Visitor Center along Union St to Beechwood St and continue straight and quickly come to the parking lot on your right.
The Whitney Spur Rail Trail follows an abandoned rail spur off the Old Colony RR; Greenbush Line which served to facilitate the transfer of ammunition, stored in cement bunkers at the Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot 1941-1965 (now Wompatuck State Park), to the Depot at the Hingham Shipyard. It travels South, from the Cohasset MBTA station through WHITNEY & THAYER WOODS and into WOMPATUCK STATE PARK where you can access miles of old roads that were part of the old Ammunition Depot. The 3,500-acre park stretches into four towns, Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate and Norwell, and features numerous seasonal campsites, plus fishing and non-motorized boating on the Aaron River Reservoir. There are 12 miles of paved bike paths, plus 40 miles off-road trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. See; WHITNEY SPUR RAIL TRAIL .
I rode the Whitney Spur Rail Trail South, into Wompatuck State Park, where I then completed a Loop through the park and returned North, back via the Whitney Spur Rail Trail. You may also start from the ^Wompatuck State Park Visitor Center where you can access both the Inner & Outer Loop Trails. I've also mapped out a North & South Loop Trails, but have not yet ridden them.
Whitney Spur Rail Trail:
Starting from the Cohasset Train Station parking lot in Cohasset [Northern End]; Map A Below. The Rail Trail parking area is located next to the South Station entrance. The Whitney Spur Rail Trail essentially starts from the Northern parking lot next to the Handicap parking area.
Note; Left, a sidewalk brings you past the Cohasset Train Station and across the North Station entrance out to East St after 0.2 miles. The official trail runs from East St East, to Wompatuck State Park, however, this section is just a sidewalk and not particularly worth it.
Heading right, the paved Whitney Spur Rail Trail travels South, across an access road through the woods and out to Route 3A. A cross-light takes you over to a Map Board. The trail turns to stone-dust as you head into thick woodlands. Almost immediately you enter Whitney & Thayer Woods reservation. Travel through the "Great Swamp" before coming to your first intersection after 0.7 miles. This should be Trail Marker 15 [Map A]. A slight upgrade from here. You'll cross other woods trails along the way including Trail Marker 26 where you'll find another Map Board. You enter Wompatuck State Park and Hingham at 1.4 miles and come to Junction NN7 where the trail is paved.
Note; Using the Wompatuck State Park Map B Below, most road and trail intersections are numbered. Just refer to Map B to find out where you are. When you are facing the sign, you are facing North. Junctions are named after their respective park areas: N-North, NN-North Corner, NS-Nature Study, C-Central, R-Reservoir, NW-Northwest, W-West, E-East, S-South, MH-Mount Hope.
This is the official end of the Whitney Spur Rail Trail, however, the old rail bed continues through Wompatuck State Park. Continuing straight you'll come to *Junction NN13 at 1.9 miles. I believe the old rail bed continues straight. I would consider this to be the end of the Whitney Spur Rail Trail.
Wompatuck State Park:
You can continue through Wompatuck State Park, Looping back to *Junction NN13. [Continuing Mileage] Head right, North, following the "Visitor Center" sign to Junction NN12.
Note; Straight, Northwest, leads to the Leavitt Street Park Entrance.
Head left, Southwest, along the old, wide paved road. Come to Junction N11 at 2.5 miles and continue straight up a slight hill to Junction N10 and cross Union Street to parking lot A.
Note; Right, West, along Union St leads to the Main Park Entrance.
Continue straight to a paved trail on your left. This will bring you to the ^Wompatuck State Park Visitor Center after 2.8 miles. Parking lot, BIKE STATION, water fountain, Bike Maps, picnic tables and restrooms located here. See; Outer & Inner Loop Trails Below to complete Loop back to *Junction NN13.
Wompatuck State Park:
Outer & Inner Loop Trails:
Starting from the ^Wompatuck State Park Visitor Center [Western End]; BIKE STATION, water fountain, Bike Maps, picnic tables and restrooms located here. [Re-zeroing Mileage] Head out to the small traffic circle and exit to Union St. Travel right to the Union Street, parking lot B on your left and travel through the lot to Gate N1. Travel East, along the old road, slightly down hill to Junction N3 and head left to **Junction N12 at 0.4 miles.
Note; For a shorter trip you can utilize the Inner Loop Trail, which simply cuts the Outer Loop Trail in half. Continue straight, Northeast, 0.8 miles all the way to *****Junction N29, where you'll continue left, Northwest, back along the Outer Loop Trail.
Turn right, South, to Junction N13 and head left, East. You'll cross over some old RR tracks still embedded in the old road and again just past Junction C7. Wildcat Pond marsh on your left before coming to ***Junction C8 at 1 mile.
Note; See; North Loop Trail Below [I haven't checked out this trail]
Continue left, East, following the old road straight and you'll cross over more old RR tracks. Come to ****Junction C14 after 1.8 miles. Map Board.
Note; See; North Loop Trail Below [I haven't checked out this trail]
Head left, North, staying straight to Junction NS1 at 2.2 miles.
Note; Right, East, leads to the Doane Street Park entrance.
Head left, Northwest, staying straight the whole way, passing by *****Junction N29 on your left at 2.8 miles.
Note; The Inner Loop Trail, which simply cuts the Outer Loop Trail in half heads left, Southwest, 0.8 miles all the way to **Junction N12 back to the Outer Loop Trail.
Continue straight, Northwest and come to *Junction NN13 at 3.4 miles.
Note; This is the Whitney Spur Rail Trail junction. Head right, North, to return to the Cohasset Train Station parking lot.
Continue straight, North, following the "Visitor Center" sign to Junction NN12.
Note; Straight, Northwest, leads to the Leavitt Street Park Entrance.
Head left, Southwest, along the old, wide paved road. Come to Junction N11 and continue straight up a slight hill to Junction N10 and cross Union Street to parking lot A.
Note; Right, West, along Union St leads to the Main Park Entrance.
Continue straight to a paved trail on your left. This will bring you to the ^Wompatuck State Park Visitor Center after 4.3 miles.
North & South Loop Trails:
Starting from the Mt Blue Spring parking lot [Center]; Exit the parking lot to Union St. I have not yet ridden these trails.
HH
CLICK HERE FOR WHITNEY & THAYER WOODS/WHITNEY SPUR RAIL TRAIL MAP A
CLICK HERE FOR WOMPATUCK STATE PARK MAP B
CLICK HERE FOR WHITNEY SPUR RAIL TRAIL & WOMPATUCK SP LOOP MAP
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT