Reformatory Branch Trail

A dirt path on an old railroad bed between Bedford and Concord Center, about 4 miles long. People walk, run and ride it for the quiet woods, views over the Great Meadows marsh and an easy link to the Old North Bridge.

Length
3.9 mi
rail trail
Surface
Unpaved
stone dust
Get on at
5 places
on the map

From Railroad Avenue trailhead to Lowell Road at Keyes Road

Parking at every place to get on · See where

Open. No closures as of Oct 21, 2026.

Directions to the trail

Where to get on

Numbers match the list; P has parking.

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

  1. Railroad Avenue trailhead, Bedford

    East end. Bedford Depot Park, the Minuteman Bikeway and the Narrow Gauge Rail Trail are a short ride east on Railroad Avenue. Restrooms at the Depot Park Freight House.

    MBTA Route 62 bus at South Rd and Railroad Ave, about 0.4 mi east.
    Small trail lot at the end of Railroad Avenue.
    Directions

  2. Concord Road (Route 62), Bedford

    About 1.6 mi from Railroad Avenue. Busy road, cross with care. The Concord line is about a quarter mile west.

    Small parking area by the crossing, next to the Bedford Children's Center (204 Concord Road).
    Directions

  3. Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Monsen Road, Concord

    About 2.4 mi from Railroad Avenue. The trail crosses the refuge entrance road here. The refuge is open sunrise to sunset. Bikes stay on the rail trail; they are not allowed on refuge trails.

    Refuge lot off Monsen Road. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the Concord Unit has an entrance fee.
    Directions

  4. Monument Street, Concord

    About 3.5 mi from Railroad Avenue. The Old North Bridge and Minute Man National Historical Park are about a 5 minute walk north on Monument Street.

    No trail lot. OpenStreetMap shows visitor lots near the Old North Bridge, a short walk north.
    Directions

  5. Lowell Road at Keyes Road, Concord Center

    West end, beside Concord Lumber. Concord Center shops are close by.

    Concord station (MBTA Fitchburg Line commuter rail), about 0.6 mi away in a straight line.
    No trail lot. The lots next to the trailhead are for Concord Lumber customers.
    Directions

Getting there

By transit
Bedford end: MBTA Route 62 bus to Bedford Depot Park, then a short ride west on Railroad Avenue.
More

Concord end: Fitchburg Line commuter rail to Concord station, then about a mile through Concord Center to Lowell Road.

Bike share
Bluebikes has no stations in Bedford or Concord.
Parking
Small trail lots at the end of Railroad Avenue in Bedford and at the Route 62 crossing.
More

The Great Meadows refuge lot charges an entrance fee. There is no trail lot at the Concord Center end.

Keep going

The Reformatory Branch Trail joins other paths and protected bike lanes. Pick a direction to see it on the map.

This trail Where you can keep going Other bike paths

About the Reformatory Branch Trail

Surface
Dirt the whole way. An old railroad bed with roots and rough spots, not stone dust or pavement. Best for walking, running or a mountain or hybrid bike.
Rules
Concord's trail guide says to keep dogs under control and away from yards, leash them in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and pick up after them. Bikes are not allowed inside Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is open sunrise to sunset.
Restrooms
Bedford Depot Park Freight House, near the Bedford end. The Great Meadows refuge also lists restrooms at its Concord Unit, per Visit Concord.
Food
Concord Center at the west end (OpenStreetMap lists Concord Market near Lowell Road). Bedford center shops on The Great Road are a short ride from the east end.
Who looks after it
Town of Bedford (Bedford section) and Town of Concord Division of Natural Resources (Concord section)
Also called
Reformatory Branch Rail Trail, Reformatory Branch Rail-Trail, Reformatory Trail, RBRT

More about the trail

Where these facts come fromChecked Oct 21, 2026