10 Stroller Friendly Hikes in Central MA!

Central MA Family Fun

The nice weather is here and everyone is outside! Keep in mind that after heavy rains, some trails may be muddy. If we forgot your favorite family trail, please tell us about it in comments below! Your list of the top 10 stroller friendly hikes in Central MA..

Acton

Bruce Freeman Rail Trail– You can now pick up this trail in Acton. This paved trail has many benches, wildflowers, a bridge that crosses over route 2. Just perfect for families. Parking is available – Route 27 (Main St) Acton.

Ayer

Nashua River Rail Trail – Pick up this 10 ft wide paved trail on Main Street Ayer near Sovereign Bank. It extends 12 miles to Nashua NH.

Holden/West Boylston

Mass Central Rail Trail One stroller friendly section allows you to start at either the West Boylston Thomas Street Entrance or the River Street Entrance in Holden. If you go end to end, you will do 6 miles round trip. Lots of sights to see along the way including 2 bridges and a historic mill site.

Lancaster

Cook Conservation- Cook Conservation Area is 102 acres of land owned by the Town of Lancaster. It offers two miles of public trails. The trails follow the Nashua River, so there are plenty of spots to take breaks along the banks. The kids enjoyed throwing rocks and sticks into the river and snacking on rocks along the trail.

Fitchburg/Leominster

Twin City Rail Trail– The Twin Cities Rail Trail officially opens to the public last June. It is open from dawn to dusk, 7 days/week.
The trails is a 4.5 long paved trail from 4th St and Middle St in Fitchburg near the 5th St bridge to Carter Park near Sookies in Leominster.
Phase II design in FY24 will extend the trail to the downtowns: From 4th St to Main St in Fitchburg, and from Mill St to Water St in Leominster.

Rutland

Mass Central Rail Trail (Rutland). We often enjoy this stroller friendly trail. Park on Miles Ave and begin your walk surrounded by water.  About a 1/3 mile into your walk you’ll see a large beaver dam on the left.  Kids love to pass through the tunnel.

Southborough

Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge. We recently did this hike without the kids but can’t wait to go back with the jogging stroller and explore again. See our full review here.

Winchendon/Gardner

North Central Pathway – A paved trail from Gardner to Winchendon. 11 miles long paved section.  When all sections are completed, the paved trail will be 16 miles long.  See the map to determine the best section for you. WCKC tip: Start at the Winchendon section (Route 12 parking lot or Summer Dr entrance) for a nice walking paved section stretch.

Worcester

Mass Audubon Broad Meadow Brook – Some trails at BMB are ideal for strollers, such as the Sensory Trail (1 mile round trip) and the  .6 mile Troiano Brookside Trail. Make sure to stop at the Nature Play Area. Trails are open daily from dawn to dusk and the Visitor Center and restrooms are open Tuesday-Sunday 12pm-4pm. Please no dogs or bikes! Free for members and Worcester residents. Small fee for others. See here.

Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor– A network of outdoor areas, bikeways and greenways, and nature trails We like to begin at the Blackstone River Valley Heritage Center at Worcester. This is paved, so bring your bikes too! The visitors center is located at 3 Paul Clancy Way
(for GPS use 115 McKeon Road).

Bonus Stroll!

Coes Park Boardwalk: A new boardwalk was constructed from the playground about half a mile down the reservoir edge. This is a fantastic walk for people with strollers – wide boardwalks, plenty of benches and seating areas. We saw swans on the pond, and frogs by the water’s edge. What a gem of a walk!

Where is your favorite stroller friendly hike in Central MA? Tell us about it in comments below!

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