How to Make the Most of the Rail Trail

As summer comes to a close, outdoor activities will shift from casual bike rides and walks to simply braving the cold gusts of winds as we walk to class. So, now more than ever, it is the perfect time to explore the rail trail, whether on an evening free of homework or a weekend trip to run some errands.

As city kids fresh in “rural” Amherst, we’ve found the far distance between stores or to reach “civilization” a challenge. Even if freshmen could have a car on campus, we’d (the writers) be stuck here (we are reliant on public transportation). If you thought the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) buses came infrequently, meet the Pioneer Valley Transportation Authority (PVTA). In all honesty, the PVTA is relatively convenient, and we are grateful it is free for Amherst students. However, buses typically come once an hour, and a 10 minute commute to Target by car becomes a 30 minute ride. But if you’re looking for a (slightly) more efficient mode of transportation, a scenic ride, or some exercise while the weather is still nice, the Mass Central Rail Trail (MCRT), or as Amherst students refer to it, the “rail trail,” has been something weʼve enjoyed exploring since weʼve been here.

Amherstʼs campus is just off the MCRT, the longest rail trail in New England, which begins in Northampton and ends in Boston, stretching over 104 miles. Northampton marks mile zero on the trail’s historic granite mile markers, while Amherst sits between mile markers seven and eight.

As city kids who’ve only had the opportunity to bike in the summers, we like how the rail trail feels like a strange vacation in the midst of a busy school year. However, our over-reliance on GPS left us disoriented and questioning how to enter the rail trail.

Best Entrances to the Rail Trail

When we first arrived on campus, it was difficult to figure out where the most accessible entrance to the rail trail was.

Likely the easiest entrance is on the back side of Hitchcock field. If you go toward Book and Plow Farm, go past the tennis courts, and continue down South Amherst College Drive, on the left is a wide gravel path. If you go straight on it, youʼll quickly see the relatively narrow path of the beautiful rail trail.

Alternatively, you can enter the rail trail on the intersection of South Pleasant Street or on the side of the softball field off Hazel Avenue. We easily got off the rail trail to watch our friend play in a club soccer game!

Stops to Make On the Rail Trail

Hadley Scoops at the Silo: A short walk off the trail brings you to Scoops at the Silo, a charming ice cream shop that we first heard of from a friend who walked one hour there and back to get ice cream. From campus, Scoops at the Silo is just over two miles away, close to mile marker six on the rail trail.

Walmart, Target, and Trader Joes: If you have a small item you are looking to get from Walmart, Target, or Trader Joes, you’ll find the three accessible through the rail trail. Directly off the trail is Walmart, and through the parking lot you will also find Target and Trader Joes, among other stops a short distance away. They are off the PVTA Mountain Farms stop and right near Scoops at the Silo at mile marker six.

Hadley: Biking from Amherst to Northampton will bring you through the town of Hadley, where you can find various stories, as well as the Hadley farm museum. At about mile marker three and a half, biking to Hadley — and on the rail trail in general — is absolutely beautiful. There are many open fields and farms in the area, and if you just want a quick break from campus, Hadley is a great place to go.

Northampton: Finally, if you’re biking west of Amherst, the furthest on the rail trail you can travel is to Northampton, sitting at mile marker zero. Whether you are looking to take a day trip to Smith College and its art museum,  look around some local businesses, or explore the charming town and see its fall foliage, Northampton is right off the rail trail. Northampton is also a great place to have some food — many restaurants sit directly on the rail trail, such as Familiars Coffee & Tea. 

At only eight miles away by bike, (about a 45-minute trip if you bike at average speed), Northampton is extremely accessible by bike. While the PVTA takes about the same amount of time to get there, the bike ride is well worth it. Rather than being constrained by the PVTA’s rigid schedule, students can bike at any time of day, while appreciating the scenic view and trip over the Connecticut River.

Biking vs. Other Transportation

After sharing our bike riding experience with some friends, we learned pedal biking is the most efficient form of human travel. Not only is biking fast, it conserves energy for humans and the environment, and promotes the mindfulness that comes with the outdoors.

For students who don’t have access to bikes, the Tread Shed offers bikes to buy or “work to own,” and for a more affordable option or for students who aren’t looking to store bikes, the Alumni Gym offers bike rentals which should be returned to the station the same day of use. Note that to use bikes from the gym, students should complete this bike training.

There are also various indoor and outdoor bike racks on campus. Even if your own dorm does not have an indoor bike rack, your Amherst student ID allows you to park your bike in any dorm. Just be sure to register bikes with the Tread Shed in case it needs to be moved.

After a weekend of the Nor’easter’s rain, wind, and cold, it’s clear the time to bike in (relatively) warm weather is coming to an end. The MCRT is an excellent way to spend your free time and a great way for students without cars to explore the surrounding area and perhaps make a day of it with friends or take a short break from campus.