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The Ashuwillticook Rail Trail is a former railroad corridor converted
into a 10-foot wide paved universally accessible path. The Ashuwillticook
Rail Trail runs parallel to Route 8 through the towns of Cheshire,
Lanesborough and Adams, Massachusetts. The southern end of the Trail
begins at the entrance to the Berkshire Mall off Rte. 8 in Lanesborough
and travels 11 miles north to the center of Adams. Parking lots and
restrooms are available along the way.
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The Trail passes through the Hoosac River Valley, between Mt. Greylock
and the Hoosac Mountains. Cheshire Reservoir, the Hoosac River, and
associated wetland communities flank much of the trail offering
outstanding views and abundant wildlife. The word Ashuwillticook (ash-oo-will-ti-cook)
is from the Native American name for the south branch of the Hoosic River
and literally means “at the in-between pleasant river,” or in common
tongue, “the pleasant river in between the hills.” The name was
adopted for the trail as a way to reconnect people to local history and
the natural environment.
Directions:
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail is located in the Berkshires in western
Massachusetts.
From the south: take the Mass Pike (Rte. I-90) to exit 2,
then Route 20 west to Route 7 north, Route 9 east to Route 8 north. Signs
for Ashuwillticook parking areas are located on Route 8.
From the north: take
Route 2 to Route 8 south, look for signs for Ashuwillticook parking along
route 8.
Parking areas are located just off Route 8 at the
trailhead on Berkshire Mall Road in Lanesborough, on Farnams Road and
Church Street in Cheshire, Russell Field in Adams and the Adams town
parking lot off Hoosac Street.
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