Phase 1 of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail extends from the Lowell/Chelmsford line near Cross Point and Rt. 3, through Chelmsford Center, to the intersection of Route 27 and Route 225 in Westford. The trail has a 10-foot wide pavement with a 2-foot wide packed shoulder on each side. It traverses woods, wetlands, open fields, recreational areas, and shopping areas. The trail is 6.8 miles long. Motorized vehicles are not allowed.
Parking & Maps
Authorized parking for the trail is available at the following locations:
Old Town Hall, 1A North Rd. (Rt. 4), Chelmsford
Chelmsford Center Artwalk, Cushing Place, Chelmsford
Municipal lot behind Sovereign Bank, 5 Billerica Rd (Rt. 129), Chelmsford
Byam School (off school hours), 25 Maple Rd, Chelmsford
Town Land at Heart/Baptist Pond,, 2 Pond St., Chelmsford
Bicyclists and skaters should wear safety helmets. State law requires children 16 and younger to wear a helmet while biking.
Keep to the right; pass on the left
Use an audible signal when passing
Look before passing
Bicyclists and skaters yield to pedestrians
Travel at a safe speed
Keep pets on a short leash, remove droppings
When stopping do not block the trail
Obey all traffic control signs and signals
No littering -- carry in, carry out
Respect property adjacent to the trail
No motorized vehicles on the trail
In case of emergency, dial 911. Enjoy the trail!
Event Registration
For organized events of 25 people or more, you must fill out an event registration form and submit it to all Towns that will be impacted by the event. Instructions are on the form which is available here.
Trail Videos
Thanks to Larry Prentice of Larry Prentice Photograpy for putting together these images of the trail in Chelmsford.
Phase 1 of the trail as seen by Bike Cam
A one minute video created by Stephen Mayotte.View video here
