Thanks to the COM352 students for contributing a bunch of new pages! I'll be moving these pages into the main area of the wiki soon.
Norwottuck Rail Trail
From UMassWiki
Satellite view of University Drive. The trail extension runs from the north, near Southwest, south along University Drive past the intersection with Amity Street towards Route 9 in Hadley.
Originally, the Norwottuck Rail Trail was part of the Boston and Maine Railroad. The track was abandoned by 1980 and later paved over in 1985 to make a suitable path for hikers, cyclists, skaters, and various other people wishing to enjoy the natural scenery of the valley. 14,000 railroad ties were removed to make way for the path. Norwottuck is pronounced "nor-WAH-tuck" and means "in the mist of the river." The Norwottuck rail trail is part of the 104 mile Central Mass Line. According to the trail's web site, its "gentle grade and smooth surface create perfect conditions for cyclists, skaters, walkers, runners, and cross country skiers of all ages and abilities."
The trail extends from Amherst to Northampton, going through Hadley. The trail itself does not run near UMass, but there is an extension that leads to it, which begins by Southwest, running south along University Drive and across Route 9. It connects up with the rail trail just past there.
The Norwottuck Rail Trail is not cleared during the winter.
[edit] Reaching the Trail from Campus
Cyclists on campus can connect to the trail along University Drive west of Southwest (towards the setting sun), or anywhere along University Drive from Southwest past the Alumni Stadium, the intersection with Amity Street, to the CVS and Big Y complex.
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