HomeMassachusettsHudson › Assabet River Rail Trail - East Hudson Trailhead

Assabet River Rail Trail - East Hudson Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 125 Google reviews · Running trail in Hudson, Massachusetts · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Assabet River Rail Trail - East Hudson Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

PavedFlat & fastHillyTrailhead parking

Paved biking and walking trail that extends for about 2 hours.

What runners say about Assabet River Rail Trail - East Hudson Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (125 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

The rail trail goes from Hudson to Marlboro, just over 5 miles one way. From Hudson to Marlboro is mostly uphill. Not steep just enough so that you know you're peddling up hill. The return trip, it goes to reason, is downhill.

★★★★★ — Ed , Jun 2022

Awesome bike trail. Only about 10 miles so really doable. Recommend starting at the Hudson trailhead. It's uphill all the way to Marlborough, but then you basically coast back.

★★★★★ — Christopher , Jul 2022

This is my home trail for cycling. Hudson to Marlborough is a good incline for a good workout, and coming back is exhilarating downhill ride. I only wish it was longer, and I know they are working on the connection to the Maynard to So.

★★★★☆ — Tim , Oct 2018

Great new section headed north-east, new pavement and railings, going to be amazing long trail in central mall to Cambridge? we walked 3.5 miles of it today. going back with bikes to see what the other end looks like.. great continuation of the Assebet section of the trail...

★★★★★ — Jim , Aug 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 125 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

⛰️ Hills / elevation 4 mentions

“Hudson to Marlborough is a good incline for a good workout, and coming back is exhilarating downhill ride.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“There are many different parking lots along route so you can ride different sections easily.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 3 mentions

“Nice paved running, walking, biking trail Hudson and Marlborough MA”

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Flat & fast 3 mentions

“The lower part from trailhead to downtown is flat and easy, from Hudson main street to Marlborough is pretty much uphill all the way but makes for a nice ride back!”

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Plan your run at Assabet River Rail Trail - East Hudson Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners

Hours

Monday 6 am–9 pm
Tuesday 6 am–9 pm
Wednesday 6 am–9 pm
Thursday 6 am–9 pm
Friday 6 am–9 pm
Saturday 6 am–9 pm
Sunday 6 am–9 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Assabet River Rail Trail - East Hudson Trailhead

Hudson, Massachusetts

Get directions

Running trails near Hudson

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Cider Knoll Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 13 reviews

Marlborough, MA

Scenic

1.8 miles away

Danforth Falls Trailhead

4.4 ★★★★☆ 75 reviews

Hudson, MA

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Family-friendly, maintained nature trails featuring picturesque waterfalls and a stream, plus wildflowers.

2.0 miles away

Wood Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 144 reviews

Hudson, MA

ShadedScenic

Pretty park with a playground, plus a band shell for concerts and an Assabet River-side walking bridge.

2.1 miles away

Assabet River Rail Trail Access Path (Fossile Easement)

4.6 ★★★★★ 41 reviews

Hudson, MA

Park suitable for kids offering areas for walking and biking.

2.1 miles away

The Grove

4.5 ★★★★★ 129 reviews

Hudson, MA

ScenicDog-friendly

Peaceful area for walking and letting dogs swim, including lakeside beaches and paths.

2.3 miles away

Marlborough-Sudbury State Forest

4.5 ★★★★★ 64 reviews

Stow, MA

Dog-friendly

This state conservation area with woods & streams offers several moderate hiking trails.

2.4 miles away

All running trails in Hudson, MA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.