HomeMassachusettsWestfield › Columbia Greenway Rail Trail

Columbia Greenway Rail Trail

4.9 ★★★★★ 112 Google reviews · Running trail in Westfield, Massachusetts · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Columbia Greenway Rail Trail'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.

PavedOpen 24hScenic

What runners say about Columbia Greenway Rail Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (112 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“Its beautifully scenic, well maintained and a great trail to ride, run or walk.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 8 mentions

“The smoothness of the path, the gentle hum of the wheels on the paved path, and the scenic views that unfolded with each mile were nothing short of spectacular.”

Beautiful bike trail. The trail is well kept. I've never seen any brush or branches in the way, it's always kept clear. The views are amazing having bridges run over brooks and small bodies of water. There are really cool mural tunnels that you pass under every once a while.

★★★★★ — Jacob , May 2022

I left my house in Easthampton and biked all the way to Drakes Hill Bridge of Flowers in Simsbury. It was an excellent ride, this is a beautiful expanse of bike trail. I wish the bike trail connected Southampton and the rest of Westfield. It was great to get on the bike trail again, having biked through Westfield.

★★★★★ — Jason , Jun 2018

Beautiful walking/biking way. Also know as the Columbia Greenway rail trail. It is a slice of old New England cut through modern day suburban sprawl. Originally built as a canal in the 1820's. Then in the mid 1850's converted to the New Haven & Northampton railroad. By the 1990's most of the line was all but abandoned.

★★★★★ — H , Nov 2018

The Greenway is an amazing asset in our city that connects to southwick and through Connecticut. Its beautifully scenic, well maintained and a great trail to ride, run or walk. I’m very excited for the final phase of construction where the trail will extend through downtown and end at the twin bridges.

★★★★★ — Mp , Mar 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 112 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.

🏞️ Scenic views 10 mentions

“The smoothness of the path, the gentle hum of the wheels on the paved path, and the scenic views that unfolded with each mile were nothing short of spectacular.”

More trails like this →

🛣️ Paved surface 4 mentions

“This is an awesome paved flat bike trail that is also good for walking, running, and rollerblading.”

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Plan your run at Columbia Greenway Rail Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • 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.
  • Websitecolumbiagreenway.org
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

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 Columbia Greenway Rail Trail

Westfield, Massachusetts

Get directions

Running trails near Westfield

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

Westfield Bike Path

4.7 ★★★★★ 27 reviews

Westfield, MA

under a mile away

New England Trail - Section 2

4.8 ★★★★★ 11 reviews

Southwick, MA

Scenic

2.0 miles away

New England Trail at Robinson State Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 29 reviews

Westfield, MA

Scenic

2.7 miles away

Westfield River Esplanade

4.9 ★★★★★ 41 reviews

Westfield, MA

ScenicDog-friendly

2.8 miles away

Half Mile Falls Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 93 reviews

Westfield, MA

PavedScenic

Peaceful spot featuring a viewing platform for examining the rapids of the Westfield River.

2.8 miles away

MA NET: Section 03 (Metacomet-Monadnock Trail)

4.2 ★★★★☆ 6 reviews

West Springfield, MA

3.4 miles away

All running trails in Westfield, 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.