Welcome To The Danvers Rail Trail
From Rails To Recreation
Danvers Rail Trail
The Danvers Rail Trail is a 4 1/3-mile non-motorized shared-use path linking schools, downtown Danvers, parks, residential areas, and trails in the neighboring towns of Peabody, Wenham, and Topsfield. Ideal for walking, biking, or jogging, the compacted stone dust trail is built along what was once part of the historic Boston to Maine railroad running from Newburyport to Danvers. The Danvers Rail Trail is managed and maintained by a group of community volunteers and provides a healthful recreational option available to all residents and visitors.
What's New On The Trail
Join us Sunday January 1, 2024 at 11:00 am for our Annual “First Day” Trail Walk
They tell us it’s great to be outdoors! What better way to start the new year and work off some “holiday cheer” than a walk on the rail trail. Charley Lincicum will lead about a 4-to-5-mile roundtrip walk along the trail, highlighting some of the sites and history along the way. Meet us at the Hobart Street Parking Lot (mile marker 2.0) by 10:45 am. Our exact route will depend on trail conditions that day. Those preferring a shorter walk can start their return at any point along the way. Volunteers will act as guides and assist at crossings.
Children, and dogs on leashes welcome! Come prepared with the right footwear and outerwear. We recommend you bring along anti-skid straps for boots in case sections of the trail are icy.
Extreme weather or trail conditions may cause us to cancel the event… but a little snow, rain, or typical New England cold will not deter us! Updates will be provided shortly before the event on our website, mobile app, and social media.
Light refreshments will be available at the start of the walk. Donations are always welcome!
November 2023 - Danvers Rail Trail Northwest Extension
Progress Update
Events
To help us plan, please register events that use any part of the trail!
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Northwest Rail Trail Extension - Overview
The town has approved extending our current rail trail northwest towards Middleton. This extension will be a 2.9 mile non-motorized, shared-use continuation of the existing Danvers Rail Trail, connecting Danvers downtown to additional Danvers western neighborhoods and eventually to the Middleton Rail Trail.
The extension will provide a healthy recreational option to all residents and visitors. The extension will be similar to the current trail in design, surface (stone dust), usage, rules, etc. The northwest extension will be completed in four phases (see map below).
Over the summer significant progress has been made. The trail is now fully open between the current trail and Maple Street. Stone dust has been applied and mile marker posts installed. The crossings at Hobart Street and Beaver Park have been completed with ADA compliant curb ramps, solar powered flashing beacons, painted crosswalks, and appropriate “crossing ahead” signs. Thanks to the Town of Danvers for getting all this done!
The Conservation Commission has approved the designs for an ADA compliant crossing at Maple St/Rt 62. Funding and timing the construction of the crossing is planned for 2024.
For those in the Hathorne area, stone dust has been applied to the trail surface from about the Lahey Outpatient Center on Hathorne Drive north to the Middleton trail. It is now possible to follow a stone dust trail from Lahey to Route 62 in Middleton (at Farmer Brown’s), about 1.5 miles one way.
PLEASE BE SAFE WHILE USING OUR TRAIL AND WEAR YOUR HELMETS!
THANK YOU!
DOG OWNERS
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