Mass Central Rail Trail – Thayer Pond WMA loop from Rutland

Mass Central Rail Trail – Thayer Pond WMA loop from Rutland

Moderate

4.7

(1921)

12,465

riders

Mass Central Rail Trail – Thayer Pond WMA loop from Rutland

02:24

33.4km

260m

Gravel riding

Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: November 5, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Rutland State Park

Ware River Watershed

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

392 m

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.

Tip by

1.04 km

Thayer Pond Wildlife Management Area

Highlight • Natural

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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1.06 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.

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3.58 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.

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10.4 km

Ware River Diversion Dam

Highlight • Monument

The Ware River Diversion Dam helps control the flow of water from the Quabbin Aqueduct into the Ware River. This is a really cool looking structure that you can see from the side of the trail.

Tip by

10.5 km

Stone Pump House and Waterfall, Ware River Watershed

Highlight (Segment) • Waterfall

The Massachusetts Central Rail Trail is a long term project to create the longest multi-use path in New England. It was once a railroad, but it was put out of action after being severely damaged by storms in 1938. Once completed, it will be 104 miles in length, connecting Boston with Northampton.

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