×
|
Rate it:
Tags:
Level: Intermediate
Length: 9 mi (14.5 km)
Surface: Other
Configuration: Other
Elevation: +230/ -255 ft
Total: 39 riders
Mountain Biking Georgetown-rowley State Forest
#57 of 223 mountain bike trails in Massachusetts
Georgetown-Rowley State Forest has all types of terrain from wide, gravel trails to tight, tough rocky and rooty singletrack. Definitely bring the bug spray. A main fire road runs from the trail head into Rowley and 133, and there are many trails off of this that again range in technicality, length, amount of obstacles and hills. When its wet, you will get muddy, lots of standing water at times. If you pass over 95 and take the first right and continue to take a right each time there is a fork, you will eventually go past a beaver dam and get onto an esker that will connect you to the Esker Ridge Trail in Rowley. All of this is part of the Bay Circuit Trail. Best bet is to get a copy of Stuart Johnstone's book about the 25 Best Places to Ride Near Boston. G-R is fairly easy to get lost in the first couple of times, but eventually you'll get use to it and find your way out.
First added by on Jul 31, 2003. Last updated May 7, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: unknown
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
From 95 North or South, Take the Georgetown/Rt. 133 Exit. Drive into Georgetown Center, (Lights w/a Mobil Station on one corner, Georgetown Savings Bank on another), turn left onto 97 and head south out of G'town. After passing a cemetery, look for a left hand turn onto East Street which is immediatly after a left hand turn angling into 97. (The two roads really make a V into 97.) Follow East Street to a T at Pingree Farm Road, go left and follow to trail head. If you miss East St, Pingree Farm Road also hits 97 a little further down on the left.
This place needs a more recent review... I moved into this area a few years ago and it seems that the wood elves have been cutting new trails or I never noticed them before.
There are multiple ways into this park but I suggest parking at the lot that is at the end of pingree farm road that is on the West side of 95. Take one of the first lefts and you'll be on a nice long loop that has some nice flow/speed. I generally ride Lynn woods since I work near there but this is a good break from that trail system.
Most trails in the park are not great for biking but there it's a thread of trails that weaves between the boring trails that it's actually well thought out with some fun sections (I believe the fun trails are somewhat new). You'll find some log rides, drops, jumps, berms, and decent xc riding. Nothing nearly as extreme as Lynn woods, but still allot of fun regardless.
Also I ride here at night and it's a great option for that as well. Again Lynn woods in some areas has major consequences of accidentally riding off the trail while night riding.... Way less of a concern for these trails.
Bugs can be bad and you'll want to give the trails a few days after heavy rain. 2.5-3 out of five for fun stunts, 4.5 for fun somewhat technical xc riding.... A solid 4.
If you like Lynn and Fort Rock its probably closer to Fort Rock style. It's definitely worth a little drive if you are looking for something different or a night ride where if you mess up you don't fall off a cliff.
| ThankRiden here a few times now still learning my way around. Trails can be wet with standing water in places but the singletrack is mostly dry. Singletrack is short runs up and down small hills. The trails can run from smooth packed dirt to rocky, rooty little more technical. All in all, I feel it is pretty easy to moderate riding on the singletrack. All the double track and fireroads are very easy riding. Most trails seem to loop around back and forth across the double track which tie back into the main fire road. There are maps online but I have not used. Does not seem to get crowded I have never seen anyone out on the trails very few cars in lot. Despite this the trails are well maintained. Worth checking out for sure.
| ThankFun little park that can be combined with nearby trails for a longer day. Main trails are wide but there are plenty of narrow and more technical trails off it.
| Thankthe best place to start is in the parking lot of the Penn Brooke school (Gtown after school hours). There are a miltiple of trails that you need to mapquest and go over the 95 bridge. If you take the third right (lots of tree roots) follow it and it will eventually go over a paved road(gtown road). Cross the road and you will find a path that will put you on a "upland kame" that will snake between two marshes. This will go on for another 2 miles and you will enter another paved road. Crosss the road and there is a gate that you can enter and this brings you into a clearing at hoods pond in Topsfield. Then you can procede back the same way until you cross the horse bridge. From there there are 3-4 ways back to the parking lot and home. It is 9-10 mile trip and it is rather technical. It takes 2-3 trips to find your way. You should go over my directions with mapquest. However, it is private and challanging. It has some pretty spots but it is a 5 (1-10) for beauty. This bike ride is one our list of 6 trails that we go on but it not my favorite due to all the roots. It is challanging in sections. The upland Kame is really neat.
| Thank