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Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, Chelmsford Trail Head
4.7 ★★★★★ 71 Google reviews · Running trail in Chelmsford, Massachusetts · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- 25 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, Chelmsford Trail Head'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.
What runners say about Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, Chelmsford Trail Head
“built on an old railroad track this free trial offers lots of shade in the summertime is clean and safe.”
“Went on a 1 yr anniversary walk for a stroke victim, beautiful surroundings, enjoyed the walk immensely”
“Great trail for a run or bike ride.”
“On slightly rainy days, the trail is still enjoyable thanks to shade and shelter provided by trees lining both sides of the trail throughout Lowell and Chelmsford.”
“It's like new again and a beautiful, easy walk or ride.”
This past spring, major work was completed to fix some cracks near the Lowell end of the trail. It's like new again and a beautiful, easy walk or ride. I love both biking and walking dogs here.
Whether you want to walk, ride, roller blade or scooter this is a great trail!! Goes all the way to Acton!!
The Bruce Freeman trail is paved and excellent condition. built on an old railroad track this free trial offers lots of shade in the summertime is clean and safe.
A fantastic paved rail trail, smooth and level, one of my favorites spots to walk, just outside Chelmsford Center the trail gets country quiet. I likes it.
Trail conditions & character
“A fantastic paved rail trail, smooth and level, one of my favorites spots to walk, just outside Chelmsford Center the trail gets country quiet.”
“On slightly rainy days, the trail is still enjoyable thanks to shade and shelter provided by trees lining both sides of the trail throughout Lowell and Chelmsford.”
“A fantastic paved rail trail, smooth and level, one of my favorites spots to walk, just outside Chelmsford Center the trail gets country quiet.”
“Went on a 1 yr anniversary walk for a stroke victim, beautiful surroundings, enjoyed the walk immensely”
“The nice PAVED trail is so very friendly to strollers, wheelchairs, etc.”
“You can run approximately 11.6 miles Lowell to Acton.”
Plan your run at Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, Chelmsford Trail Head
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- Distance25 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitebrucefreemanrailtrail.org
- Social Facebook
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