Danvers & Topsfield Rail Trails, MA

• 4-star trail
• 11 miles each way
• Easy | Low gradient
• Topsfield - Danvers, MA | Northeast Region
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A two-story building with a triangular roof and a circular window at the peak. The building has white siding with dark trim and several windows on both levels. A bare tree is to the left, and a grassy area leads to a paved area with parked vehicles, including vans and cars. The sky is clear blue with few clouds, indicating fair weather.

The former Topsfield passenger depot now serves trail users on their journey.

Every good rail trail should tell a story, and the tale told by the Danvers Rail Trail and Topsfield Linear Common is one of an escape to the country. Beginning by biking through an enormous concrete box culvert underneath Interstate 90 sets the bar low, but as you make your way Northward past industrial estates and through residential sprawl the trail eventually yields. Development gives way to farmland, then wildlife sanctuary marshland. Beyond the trail bisects towns which still retain their old-style charm, then the last two miles of trail lead through dense forest.

The Newburyport Branch railroad that supported these towns for over a century is now gone, but the route is perhaps best known today as the backbone of the Border to Boston Trail, a multi-use trail under development that leads seventy miles from New Hampshire to downtown Boston. Here's a link if you want to see the trails we've reviewed on the Border to Boston route.

Hardpack,

Rough,

Road,

No Access, ⬤ Parking Expand ↓ Map

4★ Danvers & Topsfield Rail Trails 11 mi ea way, easy, gain 210ft (220ft S-N)
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

Danvers & Topsfield Rail Trails:
Totaling eleven miles, the connected lengths of the Danvers and Topsfield rail trails stretch from the Peabody Independence Greenway in the south all the way to the town Boxford in the north. The former railroad route is now severed by Interstate construction but we've marked out a circuitous two mile road biking link to Boxford Rail Trail that allows trail users to continue their travels north.

Don't miss out on the Danvers-Wenham Swamp Trail at around the half-way mark. This short trail winds its way over marshland via sturdy wooden boardwalks, which are great fun to ride over if the trail isn't too busy. We'd recommend taking the time to peer into the waters and reeds of the swamp in search of sightings of beavers, weasels, otters, snakes and snapping turtles. There's picnic table on an observation platform in the middle of the swamp, and a bike rack at the North end for cyclists who would prefer to enjoy the boardwalk by foot.

Trail Conditions: Hardpack trail throughout, mostly with a good finished surface. Slightly rougher 1.5 mile section North of Topsfield, but still fine for most bikes. Occasional puddles after rain. No significant gradients.

An individual riding a bicycle on a paved path through a wooded area with mostly bare trees, suggesting autumn or winter. A large rock formation is on the right side of the path, and sunlight casts tree shadows onto the path

Cycling through a cutting on the Danvers Rail Trail.

An aerial view of a landscape with a narrow water channel running through the center, flanked by brown vegetation. A small red-brown metal bridge spans the channel, connecting two paths or roads. The sky is clear with few clouds, suggesting dry weather.

This arrow-straight canal supplies water from the Ipswich River to Salem and Beverly.

A tranquil rural scene with a gravel path leading through a natural landscape. Deciduous trees without leaves are on the left, suggesting autumn or winter, while evergreen trees and some bare deciduous trees are on the right. An electricity pole with wires extends along the path’s length under a clear blue sky.

The last half-mile of tree-lined trail is located in Boxford to the North.

Purple Square

Future Danvers-Middleton Connector
With the 2022 completion of the Beaver Brook bridge it is now possible to navigate a separate historic rail line in the Westerly direction of Middleton as long as you're walking or riding a rugged bicycle. The trail is incomplete and undeveloped at this time, but plans are afoot to complete a 2.3 mile connection to the Middleton Rail Trail. Right now we can access 0.6 miles beginning at Danvers center, though accessing the section North of Maple Street appears to require crossing private property (no signs are present).

We're looking forward a future when we can travel between the two towns without having to take our chances with busy road traffic, but for the interim we've marked a 2.3 mile road biking link on our map, though note that Maple Street is a busy road with frequent use by heavy trucks.

Trail Conditions: Undeveloped rough but hardpack surface suitable only for rugged bikes. Flat. North of Maple Street not accessible without crossing private property.

A wooden footbridge with metal railings crosses a landscape with dry grass and leafless trees. Power lines run above the bridge, and houses are visible in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.

Shiny new Beaver Brook bridge for the future Danvers-Middleton Connector.

Tangents:
• Official: Danvers Rail Trail
• TrailLink: Danvers, Official, Topsfield
• Public Map at AllTrails: Danvers
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article

Trailspotting Nearby
3★ Peabody Independence Gwy (6 mi) · 4★ Middleton Rail Trails (3 mi) · 4★ Swamp Walk (1 mi) · 3★ Boxford Rail Trail (4 mi) · Show Map

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