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Jay McLaren Memorial Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 8 Google reviews · Running trail in Merrimac, Massachusetts · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Jay McLaren Memorial 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.
What runners say about Jay McLaren Memorial Trail
Well-groomed and mild local trail that's super easy to get to — once you find the trailhead. There's a small parking area in a short loop off Church St., and the path into the trail leads alongside the adjacent house (felt like I was trespassing at first!
As a professional merrimacian I will say the small jumps and hills are definitly fun to hit I like to bring my mountain bike there and just work at my own (slow) pace. The cool stuff are located next to/ the side of the trail. If anyone goes there have fun
I found this multi use trail that runs in the woods and in back for a number of small neighborhoods in Merrimac MA. Trail is good for hiking and looks to be about 2 miles long. I also think it would be fun to try a mountain bike or gravel bike on this path.
Great areas of Merrimack, the trail goes thru a very nice small farm and continues almost right up to the NH boarder before it ends at another farm property and does not allow further travel. About 2.5 miles one way.
Trail conditions & character
“Well-groomed and mild local trail that's super easy to get to — once you find the trailhead.”
Plan your run at Jay McLaren Memorial Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- 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
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitetrailspotting.com
- Social Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–10 pm |
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