- 27th Annual Equine Expo & Tack Sale (30 Apr 2022)
27th EQUINE EXPO & TACK SALE 2022 Essex County Trail Association is hosting the 27th annual Equine Expo & Tack Sale to be held on Saturday, […]
- 8th Annual Spring for the Trails Half Marathon (14 May 2022)
We are very pleased to announce that our 8th Annual Spring for the Trails will be held this year on Saturday May 14th! More details and […]
- ECTA's Annual Summer Solstice Party (18 Jun 2022)
ECTA's annual Summer Solstice Party is back! Join us once again under the tents at Groton House Farm on Saturday, June 18th from 6 - 9:30 PM for […]
Winter Trail Use
Let it snow!
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2022 Events
Save the dates!
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
May 24, 2021: UPDATE The staff at DCR have addressed the water issue at markers 13/18 in Willowdale. There was beaver activity there causing the water to overflow the trail. They removed the branches
Now that the snow has melted it’s surprising to see how much debris is out there on the trails! This is a great time to pitch in while you are out enjoying the warmer weather. Clearing sticks
LATEST NEWS
Thank you to all our Thanks for the Trails participants and
TRAIL-USER REPORTS
Ipswich, Willowdale State Forest
There is a large tree down blocking the trail aprox 20 feet south of marker 20. The tree fell sometime between 1130am and 2:30pm on …Read more
Discover Hamilton/Hamilton
Two major trees down- one on the Harvard forest portion of the trail and the second on the Pingree Reservation trail portion. Both passable but …Read more
Warren Weld on Apple in Essex
Lots of debris on trail after storm, nothing impassable. Very wet up at the cross trail intersection, that’s no surprise! Wear your boots.Read more
West Newbury
Multiple trees down on Riverbend trail leading from the river up to hay field. Impassable.Read more
Willowdale State Forest
Trail 13/18 back under water and it looks like the beavers have returned. It is more than 6 inches deep in spots and water spills …Read more
Vineyard Hill Reservation Topsfield
There are two old blowdowns that are hung up above horse level across the trail. The trail is on Greenbelt property parallel to Asbury St. …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
- 5th Annual Thanks for the Trails 5k (25 Nov 2022)on November 25, 2022 at 2:30 pm
SAVE THE DATE! ECTA is holding its 5th Annual Thanks for the Trails 5k and Kids Fun Run the day after Thanksgiving, November 25, 2022, at Patton Park in Hamilton. All 2022 events will offer a $10 discount for ECTA Members. Become a Member BEFORE registration!
- 18th Annual Run for the Trails (17 Sep 2022)on September 17, 2022 at 1:00 pm
We are very pleased to announce that our 18th Annual Run for the Trails will be held this year on Saturday September 17, 2022! Don't miss out on this great course over some of the North Shore's best trails! More details and registration coming soon. All 2022 events will offer a $10 discount for ECTA Members. Become a Member before […]
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Donations help us preserve and maintain the trails.
