Wachusett Reservoir – Mass Central Rail Trail loop from Sterling

United States

Massachusetts

Worcester County

Wachusett Reservoir – Mass Central Rail Trail loop from Sterling

Hard

4.6

(1900)

19,773

riders

Wachusett Reservoir – Mass Central Rail Trail loop from Sterling

04:09

66.1km

670m

Gravel riding

Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: November 2, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 15.9 km for 106 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

7.13 km

Wachusett Reservoir

Highlight • Lake

The second largest water body in Massachusetts, the Wachusett Reservoir is as beautiful as it is huge. It can hold a whopping 65 billion US gallons of water.

The Quinapoxet and Stillwater rivers and the Quabbin Aqueduct feed into the reservoir.

Bear in mind that camping and swimming isn't allowed in some places around the reservoir.

Tip by

8.10 km

Mass Central Rail Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

This trail is part of a planned 104 mile path from Boston to Northampton. It is laid over the an old railbed that was destroyed during a hurricane in 1938.

This section is hardpacked crushed stone that is great for biking and walking.

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9.10 km

Mass Central Rail Trail under the bridge

Highlight • Bridge

This section of the Mass Central Rail Trail passes under the interstate bridge built to cross the Quinapoxet River. There is some greenery surrounding the path, and it looks up towards the bridge way above.

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27.8 km

Conservation Land

Nature Reserve

35.7 km

Thayer Pond

Highlight • Lake

Thayer Pond is a pretty big body of water for a pond, and it's just off the side of the Mass Central Rail Trail. You get good views of the water through the trees, and there are a couple of clearings with open views of the pond.

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36.3 km

Mass Central Rail Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

The Mass Central Rail Trail is a 59-mile paved trail that is planned to extend to 104 miles from Boston to Northampton.

Tip by

38.9 km

Rutland State Park

Highlight • Forest

Rutland State Park is a 300-acre state park that is home to Whitehall Pond and multiple hiking and biking trails.

Tip by

39.8 km

Mass Central Rail Trail – Ware River Watershed

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Mass Central Rail Trail is a 59-mile paved trail that is planned to extend to 104 miles from Boston to Northampton.

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41.4 km

Thayer Pond WMA

Highlight • Lake

Thayer Pond WMA is a 131-acre outdoor playground with the Central Mass Rail Trail running through it. You can enjoy wildlife viewing, hunting, and fishing in this natural landscape. The eastern part of the preserve is home to Thayer Pond, while the western part has a mixed hardwood forest with gray foxes and squirrels. Mill Brook flows through it, where you can spot several beaver impoundments along its banks.

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