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Running Trails In Northeastern Massachusetts
Running Trails in the Merrimack Valley
- Appleton Farms
Very groomed, moderate trails with rolling hills. Excellent for those new to trail running or for those who want to do speedwork on trails.
- Bradley Palmer State Park
Lots of carriage road and some single track, including a 5k cross country course. Mix of woods and open fields.
- Willowdale State Park
Lots of carriage road and single track in this woodsy park that's across the street from Bradley Palmer and site of the famed Stonecat Ale Marathon and Ultra Marathon. With 40 miles of trails, this park is great for runs of all distances.
- For more information on trails in this area, contact Gil's Athletic Club.
Running Trails on Cape Ann
- Manchester-Essex Woods
Many of the trails are well marked and easily followed, with some longer ones that are not as well marked or as easy to find. Great for 45 to 75 minute training runs. The trails here hook up to the Gordon College trails, but we can't tell you how to get there.
- Manchester Woods Trail Map
- Directions: From 128, take Exit 15 (School St.) heading away from Manchester. The main entrance is on the left.
- Ravenswood Park
Mix of carriage road, smooth single track, and a few more rugged single track trails. Most of the trails are moderate enough for tempo runs and the carriage roads are ideal for speedwork.
- Dogtown
Dogtown offers a little bit of everything, from smooth carriage roads to single track boulder fields. The preferred training grounds of many Team Gloucester runners, Dogtown is great for runs of all distances but is easy to get lost in.
- The best trail map for Dogtown can be purchases at Artspace in Gloucester. Another Dogtown Common map can be found at the Bookstore on Main St. in Gloucester, but it doesn't cover nearly as many of the trails.
- Directions: We recommend parking at the Gee Ave entrance. Follow 128N to the rotary, go 3/4 of the way around onto 127 towards Lanesville. Follow 127 and make a right onto Gee Ave (there's also a sign for the Beeman School). There's a parking area at the end of Gee Ave.
- Halibut Point
With only 12 acres it's too small for a regular training run, but it's an ideal spot to do speedwork-- there are plenty of stretches that would lend themselves well to intervals, and the view can't be topped.
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