HomeMassachusettsGloucester › Greenbelt Hiking Trail

Greenbelt Hiking Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 31 Google reviews · Running trail in Gloucester, Massachusetts · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Greenbelt Hiking 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.

MixedOpen 24hScenicHillyMile markers

What runners say about Greenbelt Hiking Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (31 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“Beautiful trails, with some really nice views and great rocks for kids to climb on!”

🪧 well-marked 3 mentions

“Trails were confusing and not well marked.”

We only walked a half mile or so in because it was snowy and sloppy, but it is a pretty trail. Rocky with roots so you must watch your step. We will return to explore it in better weather.

★★★★☆ — Aaron , Mar 2022

Had a nice late afternoon walk through the marsh, across the boardwalk and among the boulders, following the marked trail. Lots more to explore, including the unmarked social trails.

★★★★★ — Sam , Sep 2021

Nice hike. Trails were confusing and not well marked. Views from the top (blue trail) were nice. Could see the ocean.

★★★★☆ — Debbi , Aug 2020

Absolutely beautiful, well-marked trail. I went after it had rained overnight, and parts of the trail were very wet.

★★★★★ — Madison , Sep 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 31 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 5 mentions

“Beautiful trails, with some really nice views and great rocks for kids to climb on!”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 4 mentions

“Great hiking, boulders, ledges, windy single track.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 4 mentions

“Beautiful trails, with some really nice views and great rocks for kids to climb on!”

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📏 Mile markers 4 mentions

“Careful: orange path markers are missing at the halfway point where a few paths intersect.”

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🪵 Boardwalk

“Had a nice late afternoon walk through the marsh, across the boardwalk and among the boulders, following the marked trail.”

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Plan your run at Greenbelt Hiking Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • 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.
  • Trail mapOfficial trail map
  • Websiteecga.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 Greenbelt Hiking Trail

60 Concord St, Gloucester, MA 01930

Get directions

Running trails near Gloucester

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

Tompson Street Reservation

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Old Tompson Street Cart Path

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Red Rocks Trailhead

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Red Rocks Conservation Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 41 reviews

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Scenic

Forested locale with walking trails that's popular for rock climbing and hiking, plus ocean views.

1.2 miles away

Mount Ann Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 37 reviews

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Natural surfaceScenic

1.7 miles away

Ravenswood Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 276 reviews

Gloucester, MA

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Hemlock groves, magnolia swamp, miles of trails & old carriage roads offered on 600 secluded acres.

2.1 miles away

All running trails in Gloucester, 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.