Manhan Rail Trail
Presidential history and an old rail bed through the Pioneer Valley
This roam covers 4.4 miles of the 6.5-mile trail from Northampton to Easthampton in the Pioneer Valley. Starts at Historic Northampton and the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and follows the old rail bed south to Eastworks in Easthampton; the Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mount Tom spur are optional side trips off the trail.
- Length
- 4.4 mi
- Time
- 28 min
- by bike
- Stops
- 4 stops
- plus 2 bonus
Starts at Historic Northampton Museum, ends at Eastworks · Directions
Unlock the Manhan Explorer badge
The route, stop by stop
On this route:Manhan Rail Trail· 3.4 mi
Numbered pins are the stops; gold rings are optional detours.
Ride it with Shift, free
A map of the route, directions to each stop in your maps app, and automatic check-in when you arrive. Finish to unlock the Manhan Explorer badge.
Stop 1: Historic Northampton Museum
Start
A museum with over 30,000 artifacts spanning the history of the Connecticut River Valley
Bluebikes: Main St / Bridge St, 11 bikes there now, 2 min walk.
About this stopNext: Bike to Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library
0.6 mi · 4 min
Stop 2: Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library
The only presidential library housed in a public library, at Forbes Library in Northampton
About this stopNext: Bike to Old Trolley Line Conservation Area
2.8 mi · 18 min
Stop 3: Old Trolley Line Conservation Area
A corridor following the former Northampton-Easthampton trolley line through wetlands
About this stopNext: Bike to Eastworks
1 mi · 6 min
Stop 4: Eastworks
Finish
A 500,000-square-foot former factory reimagined as a creative arts and maker community
About this stop
Bonus stops
Optional detours near the route, worth the extra few minutes.
Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary Access
The nearest trail access to Mass Audubon's 751-acre Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. A short walk west leads to wetland boardwalks and Connecticut River views
About this stopMount Tom State Reservation
A 2,161-acre reservation with 22 miles of hiking trails and a 1,202-foot summit
About this stop
Getting there
- Bluebikes near the start, right now
- Main St / Bridge St2 min walk · 11 bikes · 0 docks
- Main St / Courthouse4 min walk · 4 bikes · 0 docks
How it works
A roam is a self-guided route you follow at your own pace in the free Shift app.
Follow the route
Open this roam in the Shift app and follow it at your own pace.
Check in at each stop
The app checks you in when you arrive. No scanning, no codes. Visit all 4 stops and the roam is complete.
Unlock the Manhan Explorer badge
Finish the roam and the Manhan Explorer badge is yours. Finish all 0 routes in the MassTrails 10 for a bonus badge.
Part of the MassTrails 10. Finish all 0 routes to unlock the Trail Master badge.