Photo: 4300streetcar, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
🌤 Weather at Mass Central Rail Trail—Wayside by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25–68 °F | 56–82 °F | 31–73 °F | 18–41 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Natick, 6 mi away, elevation 180 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Mass Central Rail Trail—Wayside is a shared-use rail trail the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is building on 20 miles of leased MBTA corridor from Waltham to Berlin. Some segments are open and others are in design.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Route | Waltham to Berlin, through Waltham, Weston, Wayland, Sudbury and Hudson, with small pieces in Bolton and Stow |
| Path | 10-foot-wide shared-use path |
| Parking | 51 Church Street Trail Head and Concord Road Trail Head |
About Mass Central Rail Trail—Wayside
The Mass Central Rail Trail is a planned 104-mile off-road trail from Boston to Northampton along the former Central Massachusetts Railroad corridor. DCR reports that more than 60 miles of that route are finished rail trail.
DCR does not hold rights to the whole corridor. In 2011 it leased about 20 miles from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, and it is building the Wayside section on that lease with towns and other partners. To the east the corridor is meant to connect to Belmont and Boston, and to the west to Clinton and on toward Northampton.
Trail Status by Segment
| Segment | Status |
|---|---|
| Waltham: Beaver Street to Route 117/Hillside Road, 3 miles | Completed by the City of Waltham in 2023 |
| Linden Street Bridge, Waltham | Rehabilitated by DCR in 2025, connecting the two parts of the Waltham section |
| Waltham to Weston: Route 117/Hillside Road to the Railroad Bridge | Phase one, including the bridge and the stretch to Jones Road, completed by DCR in 2025. The rest is under design, with no set timeline |
| Weston to Wayland: Railroad Bridge to Route 126, 5 miles | Opened by DCR in 2019 |
| Wayland to Sudbury: Route 126 to Sudbury Substation, 1.9 miles | Designed by DCR, to be funded and built by MassDOT. Design and permitting are expected to finish in 2026 |
| Sudbury to Hudson: Sudbury Substation to Wilkins Street, 7.5 miles | Built by DCR in 2025, connecting to the Assabet River Rail Trail |
| Hudson and Berlin | The remaining pieces are being pursued by the two towns with DCR MassTrails grants |
Status as published by DCR, page last updated February 2026.
Things to Do
DCR is building Wayside as a shared-use path, so the finished segments suit walking and cycling. Most MBTA buses carry two bicycles on front racks, and off-peak commuter trains allow bicycles.
Getting There
By car, DCR lists parking at the 51 Church Street Trail Head in Weston and the Concord Road Trail Head, with on-street parking in some nearby areas. The park’s coordinates are 42.3713, -71.2940.
By transit, the best stops on the MBTA Fitchburg commuter rail line are Kendall Green and Waltham. MBTA bus 70 stops at Waltham center and Tower Road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Mass Central Rail Trail complete?
No. DCR describes a 104-mile vision from Boston to Northampton, and more than 60 miles of it are finished. On the Wayside section between Waltham and Berlin, some segments are open and others are in design, so check the DCR page before planning a longer ride.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Cochituate State Park (a short drive away) or Walden Pond State Reservation (a short drive away).
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Mass Central Rail Trail—Wayside
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) welcomes dogs on-leash in most state parks, forests and reservations, though a list of specific properties prohibits dogs for safety, health or habitat reasons.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash of no more than 10 feet in on-leash areas; dogs must be on-leash in all parking areas.
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Dogs are not allowed on DCR coastal beaches or in designated swimming areas of inland beaches from May 1 through September 15; shorebird-nesting beaches are closed to dogs April 1 - September 15.
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Dogs are not allowed in cabins, yurts and the encompassing areas (no pet-friendly cabin program).
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Designated off-leash areas at ~20 properties (e.g. Bark Place at Breakheart Reservation); max 4 dogs per person; dogs banned entirely at Walden Pond, Moore State Park, Sandy Point and Boston Harbor Islands.
Are dogs allowed at Mass Central Rail Trail—Wayside?
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) welcomes dogs on-leash in most state parks, forests and reservations, though a list of specific properties prohibits dogs for safety, health or habitat reasons. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via mass.gov. More: Massachusetts state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Map
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