Nashua River Rail Trail

Ayer

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Ayer Commuter Rail Station.
Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on July 6, 2000.

MBTA 1002 with a westbound commuter train pulling into the Ayer Station.
Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on July 6, 2000.

Old buildings line Main Street in downtown Ayer.
Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on July 6, 2000.

Beginning of the trail on Main Street in downtown Ayer.
Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on July 6, 2000.

Groton Street crossing in Ayer.
Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on July 6, 2000.

Simple trail access is available at the following locations:

beginning of trail at Main Street
Groton Street crossing

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority offers commuter rail service to Ayer from Boston and Fitchburg. Note that bikes are permitted aboard commuter rail trains subject to a variety of special restrictions. However, the most important restriction does not apply to folks that travel from Boston's North Station and intermediate stops to Ayer spend the day on the rail-trail. The small shelter on the south side of the tracks will also serve as a small trail shelter once the morning rush hour is over.

A small municipal parking lot is located a short distance east on Main Street from the beginning of the rail-trail, then just up the hill on Washington Street. Additional parking should be available on weekends only at the MBTA Commuter Lot behind the buildings across from the beginning of the trail.

A gas station & convenience store across from the beginning of the rail-trail offers refreshments. Toilets & water are available upon request, and phones are located outside near the sidewalk.

Several restaurants of various kinds were noted on Main Street east of the beginning of the trail, and also on Routes 2A & 11 after it turns north, just west of the Main Street beginning and the Groton Street crossing of the trail. Toilets & water are presumably available upon request at each restaurant.

The Post Office is located on Columbia Street, around the corner from the east end of the business district. A brick bus shelter on Main Street near the Columbia Street intersection should also serve as a trail shelter.

Adventure Cycling Assn. Bicycle Touring Route ME-VA Section 1 Map 11 leaves Ayer southeast via Main St. from the intersection Washington St near Ayer Station. This route also parallels the Rail-trail north to Groton on Washington St., Old Ayer Rd, and Route 110-111.

Lodging Low cost Hostel accommodations are available at the Friendly Crossways Hostel at 247 Littleton County Road in Harvard. The hostel offers bike hooks under the barn. Note that bicyclists can easily and inexpensively ride the train to the Littleton-495 Station, and follow the directions given in their Web Site.

The hostel has provided the following biking directions for folks that do not wish to ride the train: From center of Ayer go east on Main St. to corner where town hall is located across from P.O. Turn left there then right onto Central Rd. which parallels the tracks (starting from the corner of the post office in Ayer) and becomes Pond Rd. which leads to T-intersection with Westford Rd. Right on Westford Rd. over the rail road tracks, cross Rte. 2a then bear left on to Bruce St. This leads to Harvard Rd. Left on Harvard Rd. to old Littleton Depot (the old train station still stands). The hostel is 2.2 miles from old Littleton Depot. Go one block on Taylor St. then take right onto Whitcomb Ave. and follow it for 2 miles until you reach hostel on right side of road

Point of Interest Listed on the National Register of Historic Places: