- TRIFECTA Trail Challenge 2022 (03 Jun 2022)
2022 TRIFECTA Trail Challenge June 3rd - July 17th Log miles on your favorite trails or explore new ones, and achieve one of these 3 challenge […]
- ECTA's Annual Summer Solstice Party (18 Jun 2022)
ECTA's Summer Solstice Party is back this June! Come join us under the tent at Groton House Farm on Saturday, June 18th from 6 - 9:30 p.m. for this […]
- West Newbury Riding & Driving Club Adventure Trail (11 Sep 2022)
WEST NEWBURY ADVENTURE TRAIL--ECTA FUNDRAISER AND FUN RAISER! The goal of Adventure Trail is for all kinds of riders to ride out and have FUN on a […]
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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
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
Spring for the Trails 1/2 Marathon results are in! Congratulations to all our winners! Men Overall: Todd Callaghan (1:33:51) Women Overall: Amy Hollshwandner (1:52:33) Men 70+: Paul Lambert
Thank you to all our Thanks for the Trails participants and
TRAIL-USER REPORTS
All trails
The trails in our area are a bit treacherous in places now that we have 4” of snow over the ice. The snow prevents yak …Read more
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
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!
- Poker Bike Ride (15 Oct 2022)on October 15, 2022 at 1:00 pm
Join ECTA on Saturday, October 15th, for our POKER BIKE RIDE! Riders will be provided a map with seven locations in Willowdale State Forest and a punch card. Each registered rider must visit five to seven of the stops, and punch the card at each location. Take your time and enjoy a morning ride or see how quickly you can get to all seven. Most […]
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Donations help us preserve and maintain the trails.
