Bruce Freeman Rail Trail

Featured Ride

This 15.5-mile route is 90% on-trail, taking you from Lowell to West Concord. The route can also be flipped, starting in West Concord and ending in Lowell. If you want to add 7 miles to your ride, you can continue along the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail to Sudbury, where you can (optionally) ride a portion of the Mass Central Rail Trail.

Note: You need to have the Ride with GPS app downloaded in order to send this map to your mobile device. You do not need to have an account on Ride with GPS to use the app.

Trail Description

The Bruce Freeman Rail Trail is a 10-foot wide paved shared-use path following the old New Haven Railroad Framingham and Lowell Line. When complete, it will connect Lowell to Framingham for a total distance of 25 miles. The Bruce Freeman Rail Trail connects with the Mass Central Rail Trail at the original diamond crossing in Sudbury. Originally championed by Massachusetts State Representative Bruce Freeman, the Massachusetts legislature passed a bill in 1989 to name the eventual trail after the Representative.

Transportation

In addition to parking options shown on the map, this route is easily accessible by public transportation on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Commuter Rail. The T has information about bringing your bike on the system. Commuter Rail tickets can be purchased on the train, or on the mTicket app.

Getting there:

This route begins at the Lowell Station, which is the northernmost end of the MBTA Lowell Commuter Rail line. This line runs every hour on weekdays and every 2 hours on weekends. It is 47 minutes from North Station by train. Commuter Rail tickets can be purchased on the train, or on the mTicket app.

‍Getting back:

The ride ends at West Concord Station, on the MBTA Fitchburg Commuter Rail line. This line runs every hour on weekdays, and every 2 hours on weekends. It is 50 minutes to North Station by train.

Bike share:

‍If you don’t have your own bike for this ride, Minuteman Bikeshare bikes can be rented on the trail near West Concord station. If done as a loop from West Concord to Lowell and back to West Concord to return the bike, you can plan to spend about 3-4 hours on the ride.

Trail Photos

this picture shows a small pavilion with picnic tables underneath, as well as a small bathroom building to the left

Picnic area near Warner Pond

this picture shows the trail next to three benches for resting. theres also abandoned train tracks that have been surrounded by pavers to create a resting spot.

Rest area near West Concord Station

This picture looks down the trail, with green leafy trees on either side and the silhouettes of a couple people walking in the distance

On the trail

A picture of a granite post with a plaque with a dragonfly and the trail name on it. The path is shown with warner pond peeking through the trees in the background

Passing Warner Pond in Concord

A gray granite post features a dark brown sign that says Bruce Freeman Rail Trail with an image of a dragonfly. To the right of the post, and in the midground of the image, is a docking station for Minuteman Bike Share.

Minuteman Bike Share station at West Concord trailhead

Route Attractions

Heart Pond Beach (6.6 miles from start)

This public beach in Chelmsford, MA offers a nice resting spot just before the halfway point of the route. Open to residents and non-residents, there is no fee to access the water (though there is also no lifeguard on duty). Dip your toes in to cool off before you continue on the trail.

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Cranberry Bog Reservation (off-trail)

If you’re interested in Massachusetts’ official berry — the cranberry — take a left off-trail at Lakeside Ave., go right on Acton Rd. for one block until you take a left on Elm St., and continue until you get to the Cranberry Bog Reservation parking area. You can get off your bike and continue on foot to check out the bog area.

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NARA Park (10.6 miles from start)

The Nathaniel Allen Recreation Area (NARA) Park is located in Acton, MA. The park has public swimming (admission for a fee), picnic tables, and a large amphitheater with seasonal concerts. You can also rent an adaptive tricycle here. If you’re looking to take a bit of a break from the ride, just west of NARA Park is the Acton Pump Track and slightly further west of that is the YV Art Museum (admission for a fee).

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Ice House Pond (13.4 miles from start)

You’ll catch this charming pond on your right as you head toward West Concord Station. Once a source of ice for nearby towns, today it offers a nice spot to rest or birdwatch.

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Diamond Crossing at West Concord Station (at route end)

If you have a few minutes while waiting for your train at West Concord Station, you can check out the diamond railroad crossing just past the Club Car Cafe. This is the former site where the Fitchburg Railroad and the Framingham and Lowell Railroad tracks crossed.

Learn More

The Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail support the trail and maintain a website with information.