Amesbury & Salisbury Rail Trails, MA

• 4-star trails
• 4 miles each way
• Easy | Low gradient
• Amesbury - Salisbury, MA | Northeast Region
. MA Rail Trails

The image shows a person riding a bicycle on a paved path through a green forested area. The path is surrounded by lush trees and colorful wildflowers, including purple and yellow flowers.

Gliding up the smooth, paved Old Eastern Marsh Trail.

Having reviewed the current condition of the New Hampshire Seacoast Greenway Rail Trail, which includes at least eleven miles of good navigable trail up to Portsmouth, we thought we'd investigate the continuation of the old Hampton Branch line into Massachusetts on the Old Eastern Marsh Trail. Also linking into this trail is the East-West route into Amesbury, so we're covering that here too.

⬤⬤ Old Eastern Marsh Trail
Travel from north to south.
Fully paved, this North-South trail is a breeze to cycle on but is also enjoyed by many hikers and dog walkers too. The North half of the trail is mostly within forest, interspersed by occasional fields and the Partridge Brook Park where you'll find a new children's playground and a dog park complete with obstacle course. The South half of the trail opens up to the Great Salt Marsh before terminating at Merrimack River and the abandoned railroad bridge.

⬤ Asphalt ⬤ Hardpack ⬤ Bike Lane ⬤ Road ⬤ No Access ⬤ Parking

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤⬤ 4★ Old Eastern Marsh Trail 3.8 mi ea way, easy, low gradient
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions GPX?

⬤⬤⬤ 4★ Ghost Trail & Amesbury Riverwalk 3.8 mi ea way, easy, low gradient
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

We rate the Old Eastern Marsh Trail as 4-star due to its paved surface, varied surroundings, amenities and occasional interpretive signs. There's a short section of moderately quiet road on which you'll have to travel, but it has not been appointed with bike lanes of any kind for some reason. There's also a short section of hardpack access trail at the North end where the trail connects with the parking lot in New Hampshire but that's easy for most folk to handle.

In April 2023 painted bike lanes were added to the Gillis Memorial Bridge on both sides, connecting the Old Eastern Marsh Trail to Newburyport and the Clipper City Trail. There is also a raised sidewalk on the east side of the bridge only if you find that a safer option. Unlike in New Hampshire, riding a bicycle on a sidewalk in Massachusetts is legal provided it's necessary to provide a safe route.

⚠ Trail Conditions: Paved throughout except for a 0.2 mi moderately quiet road biking section. Flat trail.

The image shows a person riding a bicycle on a wooden boardwalk that curves gently to the left through a lush green area with dense foliage. The boardwalk has railings on both sides, and there are yellow flowers visible to the right of the path.

Boardwalk section on the Old Eastern Marsh Trail.

⬤⬤⬤ Ghost Trail & Amesbury Riverwalk
Travel from east to west.
The railroad spur to Amesbury provided passenger services to the town, but also a freight service for the thriving late nineteenth century carriage building industry. The completed carriages would be shipped out on freight trains replete with white linen protective covers, and the spooky sight of these pale forms gliding through the woods at night led to the route being given the nickname of the 'Ghost Trail'.

We had no spectral encounters on our trip from the Old Eastern Marsh Trail to Amesbury unfortunately, though we did enjoy a pleasant Westward ride through the woods. By necessity the trail has to cross under two interstate highways to reach the town, but the Riverwalk that is the second half of this route keeps trail users away from such hustle and bustle for the remainder of the trip. We do wish however that there were more views of the river on the Riverwalk.

The terminus of the rail route has changed several times with the moving of Amesbury's passenger depot. The latest railroad station is now serving as a restaurant, so the Riverwalk now ends at what I assume is a former railroad section house, replete with railroad paraphernalia and an interpretive sign.

⚠ Trail Conditions: East side 1.7 mi hardpack. West side 1.5 mi asphalt. Connected in the middle by 0.5 mi unprotected road biking section on Elm Street (sidewalk available). Flat trail.

The image shows a small, single-story building with a red and tan exterior, featuring two windows with dark shutters and a red door. In front of the building is a circular area with brickwork forming a pattern resembling a compass or wheel, bordered by patches of grass and plants. To the left, there is green foliage and part of another structure. On the right side, there is an old-fashioned railroad crossing sign with lights but no barrier arm.

Former railroad building at the West end of the Amesbury Riverwalk.

The image shows a perspective view of a long, rusted metal bridge structure extending over water with several boats moored on the right side. The sky is overcast, and there are trees and buildings in the distance. The photo is taken through a chain-link fence, adding an interesting visual frame to the scene.

Merrimack River at the end of the Old Eastern Marsh Trail

The image shows an individual riding a bicycle on a dirt path through a lush, green forest. The path stretches straight ahead and disappears into the distance, flanked by dense trees on both sides.

The hardpack surface of the Salisbury Point Ghost Trail.

Tangents:
• Official: Old Eastern, Ghost Trail, Riverwalk, East Coast Greenway
• Public Maps at AllTrails: Old Eastern, Riverwalk
• Trail Link: Old Eastern, Ghost Trail, Riverwalk
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us

Trailspotting Nearby
4★ Seacoast Greenway Rail Trail (8-13 mi) · 3★ Clipper City Rail Trail (3 mi) · 3★ Jay McClaren & Peanut Rail Trails (1-3 mi) · Show Map

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