Nice ride, free parking, benches and sculptures along the way. Safe ride from Ayer Culver DR to Smith Street acess.... I put that on Google maps years ago! Spot off at the library, continue to Salt and light downtown and even down to CVS or Shaws plaza. Safer than going main Rd the whole way and pretty views. read more

On a beautiful 68 degree day I came here to walk the rail trail with friends but would've loved it just as much had I run, biked or rollerbladed. There were many families out doing the same but because everyone is courteous and follows etiquette of passing and staying on the right or left, it remained quite enjoyable. The trail itself is a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The locals are friendly, and the trail itself is flat and well maintained. Yet much of the landscape remains untouched and there is plenty of wildlife (great for bird watching), plants (native, non-native, and unfortunately invasives too), and interesting rock formations to observe. I like to take advantage of the tranquility offered only by nature (the sound of the streams, melodic bird songs, the stillness, and even the smell of the great outdoors). We also stopped by the little ice cream shop in Pepperrell which was a lovely break and a bit of a reward for all the excercise we all got. The only downside, as someone who is highly allergic to insect bites, is the highly aggressive mosquitoes. But just make sure you wear plenty of bugspray and bring enough to reapply. Also don't forget your hat and sunscreen! read more

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I went to this rail trail the other day mostly because it's about 21 miles long. I prefer at least that many miles so this was perfect. I parked at the beginning (or end depending on where you seat) at the lot by Broadmeadow road in Ayer. It was a pretty big lot with quite a few spots. No trail map there though which was a little disappointing. I hopped on my bike and was on my way towards New Hampshire. It's a nice easy trail with not many hills or broken pavement. I was somewhat disappointed with the scenery. Not as breathtaking as some of the trails in Rhode Island or Boston but still nice. Saw one of the biggest turtles I've ever seen crossing the bike path but not much else. If I lived in the area I'm sure I'd take advantage of this trail a lot more as it's nice and long. I think my gps said 20 miles when I finished. read more

Nice bike path. Long! From Nashua to Ayer. Well maintained. Mostly flat, although is seems to be going uphill slightly from Pepperell to Ayer. The whole thing from Nashua to Ayer is a bit too much for my taste. Pepperell to Ayer is plenty. Around 20 miles round-trip. Not much to see. Mainly wooded area. It gets old. I prefer Mine Falls Park. More scenic. read more

One of the best Trails ever!! If you are looking to ride your bike, ROLLER skaters and this is the one you wanna ride on. I've been going there since last month and lost over 5,800 Calories LOL! even tho I'm weigh 168.8 pounds. Details: Start to begin length is exactly 12.56 miles ONE WAY! Yes, it's huge starts from Ayer, MA through NH Border. Ride times depends but for me is an 55 minutes to do one way and comeback as I have done it couple times. Total time is about 2 hours to do 24 miles. People's are very friendly and waves their hands/ Hellos while passes by (: P.s Pets are allowed. read more

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A wonderful rail trail that is smooth, beautiful, scenic, and great for walking, running, and cycling. I have ridden this trail many times and find it one of the best in the state. The rough spots toward the northern portion of the trail has been smoothed and repaved. Peaceful and quiet if you head out in the morning! read more

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I love this trail! It's a bit of haul from my house but it's worth it. It's very quiet and serene. Not too many road crossings so you can really check out while riding your bike. Where there are road crossings, they are marked well in advance and there usually isn't any traffic to worry about anyway. The path itself is a bit narrow but it's paved and every little imperfection (dips, bumps, roots) is marked, which is really nice. People on the trail are friendly and respectful. The surroundings are beautiful. Big parking lot at the end, and several smaller ones along the way. Porta-potties at each end of the trail aren't super clean, but it's better than peeing in the woods. 12 miles one way, 24 if you do the full out and back like I do. Great trail!!! read more

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Great place for cycling - not many road crossings, some nice water to look at, good tree coverage along long stretches of trail. There is a convenient parking garage at the Ayer end and good places for breakfast/ lunch along the way in Groton and Pepperell. There is also free parking near Groton public library off of rt 119. If you make it up to Nashua, there is a soda machine right on the trail! read more

I like biking here. There are a lot of bumps on the pavement but they're marked with paint. It's a scenic ride with lots of woods and water to view. You go through part of pepperell and can stop for food if you want. Closer to Nashua someone has a vending machine with drinks for a dollar. Overall nice ride. read more

Great trail with lots of shade. Its about 12+ miles from Nashua to Ayer. Wish they had mile markers painted on trail pavement but easy to overlook. Had a great day. read more

Fantastic rail trail in Central MA about an hour from Boston. Due to the fact that it is just about in the middle of nowhere, this entirely-paved rail trail only gets a fraction of visitors that the other long rail trails in Eastern MA get. There are only 7 or 8 road crossings in 12.5 miles of trail (the trail is 25 miles round-trip), which is quite impressive. Scenery is good too. Highly recommended for biking, running and rollerblading. read more

I've done this bike path a few times and I start the ride in Ayer, they have a parking lot there for about 60 cars. The trail is 11 miles long and takes you through Ayer, Groton, Dunstable, and Pepperell stopping just short of the New Hampshire border. While there can be a lot of people using it, the path is pretty wide and there's usually not a problem with bike/walker/jogger congestion. A lot of the path is along open fields, with trees providing some much needed shade. When you get to Pepperell you'll drive alongside their downtown area. This is a great place to stop as there's a place there to grab ice cream. I believe you can also find some vending machines right in this area, which is good for those who forget water or have just run out! Yes, you have to drive a bit to get here, but at this time of the year (Fall) the drive will be a beautiful one as the leaves along Route 2 are starting to change. So you can make it a day of it with of foliage viewing, bike riding, and then stop somewhere on your way home for a nice dinner! read more

Gorgeous rail trail with views of conservation lands. Sweet smells of plants and nature tickle your nostrils for a leisurely bike ride. And it's a real kick to be biking along and see a sign that says "Welcome to New Hampshire." Delightfully quiet on weekdays. Moderately crowded on evenings and weekends, but not nearly as much as the Minuteman. The Ayer trail head is in downtown Ayer next to the Sovereign Bank, at 1 Park Street, Trail parking lot is *behind* the bank parking lot and they are not connected. To get to the trail parking, turn off W. Main Street onto Park Street at the bank and continue until you can turn right on a side street (I think it is Groton)and then right again. The trail 11.9 miles one way from the Ayer trail head to the end in Nashua. Then it continues about 1.5 miles on a new trail through a housing development. So if you start in Ayer and go all the way through the housing development and back you've done 25 miles. If you want a shorter ride (and still want to hit NH) you can also park halfway in Groton. read more

Probably the best rail trail I have ridden yet. Went from Ayer up to Nashua and back. For experienced bikers, the 12.3 miles each way is probably no big deal. I'm two weeks into this though, and this was my longest ride yet. There were a lot of stretches of flat ground, and only gradual inclines. Well maintained and the Rail Trail Ice Cream Shop was a welcome break. There were more people nodding, smiling, and saying hello as I crossed paths on this trail than you get on the Minuteman, that's for sure. Very pleasant ride. Tip for riders, when you complete the 24.6 mile trip, pour an entire bottle of water on your head and then turn the car A/C on high. Best way to refresh after a long ride. read more

This was nice trail, very well maintained and some nice scenery. It is mostly flatly, and when I say mostly I mean around 99.9998%. The day we went there were not many other cyclists using the trail (that may have had to do with the impending rain storm... which did catch us 7 miles from the car...) but I did notice the trail seems a bit narrow. Perhaps that is just my own perception, from having ridden the East Bay Bike Trail in R.I. for so many years, but I swear the East Bay trail is about 2 feet wider. Even with the rain and the seemingly narrow trail, this is certainly a rail trail I plan on riding again. read more

Great bike path. I live close to one of the parking areas in Dunstable, although I always just bike from home. The path is well maintained; there are a couple of dips that need to be neon-painted again, but nothing major. The path takes riders through wooded areas, farms, backyards, fields, over little bridges, wetlands, through a little downtown area in Pepperell. Nice viewing. My husband and I like to stop somewhere just short of the end in Ayer where there are some granite blocks overlooking a little pond near an apple orchard. We do our bike picnic, then head back home. Makes for a nice way to spend a few hours on a lovely afternoon. read more

This is one of the best reasons to live in Pepperell. It is nice family trail. It is a well paved flat trail (as it goes along the old railroad track) People are generally polite in regards to passing. People smile and say hi. From Pepperell you can go toward Hollis or towards Ayer. It it beautiful. There are mile markers along the way. Bring your bug spray the bugs can be brutal as it goes along the river. There are several parking lots; on nice days they fill up. Even then the trail isn't crowded. After you can your exercise you can stop at the downtown Pepperell and get an ice cream. read more

I live on the Nashua end of this trail. I just recently started biking on the trail and scold myself for not finding it sooner. Here on the Nashua side there are some unpaved trails for mountain biking or walking, I prefer running here because of the softer terrain and woodsy feel. This trail is kept very clean and maintained. Most times of the day the trail is more shaded than not. There are some nice views along the way, this is most certainly a great place to visit, whether you are a walker, runner or a biker. I am so lucky to have this gem within walking distance! read more

This rail trail is a regular ride of mine, and although the scenery is good and there aren't too many road crossings, I have to knock it a bit because it is showing significant signs of wear and tear. There are several stretches with significant bumps and rises in the pavement, and the tree damage from the 2008 ice storm is still narrowing the trail. I usually start from the Ayer end, and this makes a different. The Hollis side of the trail is in better shape, and it also has better views. The trail is an enjoyable ride, but repairs are needed in order for this to be a fully satisfying ride. read more

Nashua Rivery Rail Trail is a nice bike path that runs between Nashua, NH and Ayer, MA. It is mostly flat but does have some gently rolling hills. You ride along the river, so it is pretty scenic and you may see different types of birds and maybe a deer. It is about 21 miles or so roundtrip if you complete the entire path end to end. I recommend getting a light if you are like me and start late-ish in the Summer evenings. It starts to get a little dark towards the fall. read more

Probably my favorite bike path ever. It's well-kept, it's not crowded, and there are long swathes of it uninterrupted by streets. It's not very long (just around 12 miles or so) and it's just ideal for casual to intermediate bikers. Speed-hungry roadies might have fun on this trail but you might end up mowing down a family with kids on trikes in tow. This trail is drop-dead unbelievably gorgeous in the fall. When I lived in Chelmsford this was my weekend activity, now that I'm in Somerville I still make a point to drive to Ayer and go on this trail. It's a jewel. Don't miss it. read more

I love this trail, but it used to be mine, my horse's and my dog's. It wasn't paved so you could gallop to your hearts content. We rarely ran into anyone except other riders. ATV and dirtbikers would use it back then and we all respected each other, they knew proper horse etiquette. The stretch I rode on was well maintained as a fire road. Now its paved :( gross. A woman with a baby carriage told me to put my dog on a leash! Yes I think everyone should get to use it because some parts are breathtaking. But why do you yuppies have to ruin everything? There was no spandex here 20 years ago and the scenery was so much more beautiful then. read more

Just a heads up that the two bathrooms in Ayer are closed from 11.15.11 - 04.23.12. I suggest filling up some gas or grabbing something at the Mobil gas station 50ft from the parking lot and using the bathroom there. read more

Well maintained bicycle trail. We rode from Ayer all the way to Nashua, NH and back. Took about 3 hours round trip. There are several parking spots along the way so you can start the trail anywhere. Beautiful with the changing leaves of autumn. read more

This is a true hidden gem. Granted, from metro Boston it is a good hour plus to get there, but worth the effort. I have biked a number of rail trails in my life and this one is top flight. A good sized parking lot at the trail head in Ayer. Totally paved, with but a few frost heaves that are marked, terrifiic scenery of farm land, a state forest, wetlands, several ponds and the Nashua River the entire 12.5 miles. Nicely shaded with maples, birch, and pines so that even in the summer its probably relatively cool. Far enough from a big city so that I doubt that overuse becomes a problem. An ice cream stop in Pepperel, and NO litter to speak of. In conclusion, that is as good as it gets in my opinion. read more

Four and a half stars for me. One of the fun things about this trail is telling people I walked or biked to a different state. Some stunning vistas higher up and groves of wildflowers surround the trail in the Spring and an old bridge or two to go underneath. I like the overall open feel of this trail. Pepperell is a nice drop off for an ice cream. And everyone from people using the trail to people with houses bordering the trail are ever so friendly. read more

IMOH, this is the best trail in the Boston area for inexperienced riders. It is long and flat, well maintained, and uncrowded. There are few road crossings, which is good for riders who aren't yet confident starting and stopping. There is ice cream in Pepperell that everyone stops for, if you need some more motivation. (Get the kiddie size - seriously. It's huge.) The scenery is pretty good. It is near a skydiving area so look up! read more

Out for the day today on this great trail. An easy ride - very kid friendly!

Fabulous! Just finished our first trip on this beautiful trail and look forward to many more. We (my wife and I, both seniors) did the entire ~24 mile round trip, starting on the Ayer end and were just blown away by the views and quality of the ride. We were a little apprehensive reading one or two of the reviews which implied lots of bumps and roots. There are some mild tarmac heaves due to root activity and some small diameter potholes but these are well-marked minor distractions compared to the overall quality of the trail. If one has road tires as we do these are not a problem, although skinny racing tires would feel the bumps. That being said we were passed on the trail by several lightweight racing bikes going like bats out of hell so they didn't seem to mind. The other thing I'd mention is we had to wait a few minutes in the Ayer parking lot for a space to open up, even though this was mid-week. So the parking was crowded however the trail itself was not, being long enough to absorb a goodly crowd without overcrowding. We found the parking lots on the Nashua end and some of the intermediate parking lots virtually empty so next time we may start from the Nashua end. The port-a-johns in the Ayer parking lot were spotless when we started out. However on our return some un-housebroken anti-social slob had left a disgusting mess in one of them. People like that s.b. made to climb down into the tank and clean it with a toothbrush I thought I had also read there were places to pick up snacks along the way but if there were we didn't find any, except a family restaurant about 8 miles up the trail from Ayer (town?). No big deal as we had packed lunch and snacks ourselves. So a great trip and worth many returns! read more

Was out on the trail on bicycle with hubby and youngest yesterday in sunny 50's weather. Its a 24-mile loop beginning in Ayer and ending just over the NH border. There are a few other places one can hop on for a shorter distance. Great for walkers, roller-bladers and joggers alike. It's well kept by the DCR and DPW and is a relatively flat ride. About 2/3 of the way up, there is an ice cream stop (Rail Trail Ice Cream Stop) as well as a Dunkin Donuts and White Hen Pantry for refreshments. The oldest kids learned to ride longer distances on this trail and they are on their own all over the countryside now. There are plans for extending the trail to hook up with the trail in Nashua, but the extension is gravel for now. read more

Great trail with beautiful scenery and ample parking at the lots that are available at different locations along the way. Good for biking or walking. read more

A very nice trail with minimal hills, traffic and bumps. Main qualms: the wooded scenery is similar the entire ride, and there's not much entertainment (particularly restaurants) to visit along the way if you're looking to make a day of it. read more

The best rail trail we've found yet. There are some frost heaves that can't be avoided, but only for a small stretch. There aren't many road crossings and most are quiet except for one in Pepperell. We usually start out in Nashua, ride to Ayer, stop for a bathroom break and then ride back. It turns out to be 24.5 miles. A ride worthy of trying a new restaurant and writing a yelp review. read more

Great trail for all the reasons above. One thin that should be noted is late lack of drinking water and public facilities on the trail. This should be addressed. read more

During the summer on a weekend I like to ride Minuteman trail in early morning and Nashua trail in afternoon as it is much less crowded. Well maintained and scenic and very enjoyable as there is much less people on trail to navigate around. This is first time i have encountered horses on a trail and was not a problem and the novelty was enjoyable. My only complaint was not enough rest stops. The only bathroom i saw was at start of trail in Ayer. read more