Manhan Rail Trail

The Manhan Rail Trail is a paved path on an old railroad line from downtown Northampton through Easthampton, with a spur toward Mount Tom and Route 5. It is flat and easy, links two downtowns, and joins the Norwottuck Rail Trail for longer rides.

Length: 9.5 mi; rail trail
Surface: Paved; the whole way
Get on at: 8 places; on the map

From Norwottuck Rail Trail junction to Route 5 trailhead at the Oxbow

Parking at 6 of the 8 places to get on · See where

Open. No closures as of Oct 19, 2026.

Ride it as a roam Directions to the trail

Where to get on

Numbers match the list; P has parking.

Download the GPX

For Ride with GPS, Strava, Komoot or a bike computer.

Norwottuck Rail Trail junction, Northampton
North end. The trail meets the Norwottuck Rail Trail (Mass Central Rail Trail) here.
PVTA R44 at King St and Church St, about 100 m
Paid public lots in downtown Northampton
Directions
South Street, downtown Northampton
Closest point to downtown Northampton shops and food. ValleyBike docks are shown on Main Street and West Street about 150 m away.
PVTA Academy of Music stop on Main Street, about 170 m (B43, B48, G47, R41, R42, R44 and others)
Paid public lots in downtown Northampton
Directions
Easthampton city line, near Lovefield Street
Where the Northampton section meets the Easthampton section.
Directions
Millside Park, off Ferry Street, Easthampton
Seasonal restrooms. Behind the Eastworks and Paragon buildings. The Mount Tom spur branches off just north of here.
PVTA Pleasant St and Ferry St stop, about 130 m (R41, G47, Nashawannuck Express)
Free lot at Millside Park
Directions
Union Street and Payson Avenue, downtown Easthampton
Year-round restrooms at the Public Safety Complex, 32 Payson Ave.
PVTA stops at 112 and 117 Union St, about 130 m (R41, Nashawannuck Express)
Free lot at the Public Safety Building, 32 Payson Ave, plus free public parking downtown
Directions
Coleman Road, Southampton
South end of the trail.
PVTA G47 and Nashawannuck Express at Big Y Southampton, about 400 m
Directions
East Street, Easthampton (Mount Tom spur)
On the 2.2-mile Mount Tom spur, not the main line.
Lot at the Northeast Center for Youth and Families, 203 East St
Directions
Route 5 trailhead at the Oxbow (Mount Tom spur)
East end of the Mount Tom spur. A Narcan emergency box was put here in August 2026.
Small lot at the trail end
Directions

Getting there

By transit: PVTA buses are fare-free right now. Route R41 runs about every hour between downtown Northampton and downtown Easthampton, with stops near Millside Park and on Union Street. Many PVTA routes stop at the Academy of Music on Main Street in Northampton, a short walk from the trail. Amtrak Valley Flyer and Vermonter trains stop in Northampton. The Route 5 end of the spur has no bus nearby.
Bike share: Near Norwottuck Rail Trail junction, right now
State St/Mass Central Rail3 min walk · 8 bikes
Parking: Free parking in Easthampton at the Public Safety Building (32 Payson Ave), Millside Park (off Ferry St), the Northeast Center for Youth and Families (203 East St) and a small lot at the Route 5 end.
MoreLess
Downtown Northampton has paid public lots.

A roam on this trail

A roam is a self-guided route with stops along the way. The free Shift app checks you in at each stop, and you unlock a badge at the end.

The whole trail