- 7th Annual Thanks for the Trails 5k (30 Nov 2024)
REGISTRATION OPEN! THANKS FOR THE TRAILS 5k and Kids Fun Run SATURDAY November 30, 2024 ECTA is holding its 7th Annual Thanks for the Trails 5k and […]
- 30th Annual Equine Expo & Tack Sale (26 Apr 2025)
SAVE THE DATE SATURDAY APRIL 26, 2025 30th EQUINE EXPO & TACK SALE Plans are underway for ESSEX COUNTY TRAIL ASSOCIATION to host the 30th […]
Events
Thanks for the Trails 5k
Gravel Ride
Gravel Ride
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Protecting Trails
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The North Shore area has extraordinary recreational trails. Since 1982, Essex County Trail Association has worked to protect and preserve hundreds of miles of trails in Essex, Hamilton, Ipswich, Topsfield, Wenham, and West Newbury. With the help of our team of trail stewards and many volunteers, ECTA maintains and repairs these trails in partnership with public and private landowners, land trusts and local conservation commissions. Our members provide a vital source of funding for trail projects. Come explore these incredible trails, and help us continue our work by supporting ECTA.
UPCOMING EVENTS
TRAIL ALERTS
April 24, 2023: New England Biolabs has begun construction of their new childcare facility. The trail from 1A to Fellows Road will be temporarily closed starting today and will remain closed for
Donibristle Reservation, Topsfield Completed in partnership with Essex County Greenbelt, this project was a much needed solution to a muddy section of the main trail. We raised the trail, installed a
LATEST NEWS
TRAIL-USER REPORTS
Gravelly Brook in Willowdale State Park/Topsfield
Some good person has apparently collected bottles they found along Gravelly Brook trail and has left a number of piles of them on the left …Read more
Ipswich, Ipswich River Watershed Association
Hi, There is a large tree down across the trail on the Ipswich River Watershed Association property, at 143 County Rd., Ipswich. Would ECTA be …Read more
Willowdale / Topsfield
Big tree down just past the junction of trails 4 & 5 (There is a 4 trail stake there, but I’m not sure which trail …Read more
Willowdale trail 32
Tree down across trail. High enough to duck under, but there’s one branch that hangs straight down that has a sharp end, just about at …Read more
Trail from Upland & Fellows to Gardner & 1A
There is a tree blocking the trail from Upland Ln. & Fellows Rd. to Gardner & 1A. It is near the intersection of the currently …Read more
East Willowdale, Ipswich, trail between markers 14 and 16
Large tree downacross trail, unpassable on horseback and iffy on foot. Been down for at least a week.Read more
FIND A TRAIL
Find a trail with our new Trailfinder Tool*. Select from the options on the left to find trails that meet those criteria.
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*Disclaimer: Please bear in mind that ECTA does not own the listed properties and does not guarantee the information as current. We have tried hard to list the allowed activities but some are seasonal-only, weather-dependent, or require a special permit. Landowners may have changed their rules so please follow all posted signage and let us know in the comments or via an email if you notice anything that could be updated. In addition there are some trails which may not yet be listed for certain activities. If in doubt please always check with the landowner.
FEATURED EVENTS
- 30th Annual Equine Expo & Tack Sale (26 Apr 2025)on April 26, 2025 at 1:00 pm
SAVE THE DATE SATURDAY APRIL 26, 2025 30th EQUINE EXPO & TACK SALE Plans are underway for ESSEX COUNTY TRAIL ASSOCIATION to host the 30th annual Equine EXPO & Tack Sale to be held on Saturday, April 26th 2025 from 9-3 in the Arena Building at the Topsfield Fairgrounds on Route 1, Topsfield, MA. Individuals, groups & businesses […]
- 7th Annual Thanks for the Trails 5k (30 Nov 2024)on November 30, 2024 at 2:30 pm
REGISTRATION OPEN! THANKS FOR THE TRAILS 5k and Kids Fun Run SATURDAY November 30, 2024 ECTA is holding its 7th Annual Thanks for the Trails 5k and Kids Fun Run the Saturday after Thanksgiving at Patton Park in Hamilton (November 30, 2024). The Kids' Run will begin at 9:30AM and the 5k will start at 10AM. Using a scenic and challenging course […]
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