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Norwottuck Rail Trail
From UMassWiki
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Satellite view of University Drive. The Swift Connector 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 1992 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 (the Swift Connector) 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.
Some damaged sections of the Norwottuck Rail Trail were repaired in 2008, and plans for a complete reconstruction of the Trail have been under review since then.
Reaching the Trail from Campus
Cyclists on campus can reach the Norwottuck Rail Trail via the Swift Connector (named for former UMass Physics professor Art Swift) 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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