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Chesterfield Gorge
6 reviews
4 of 5
Best to start at the Huntington end; that way you'll be tending upwards towards Chesterfield and have an easier return trip. The trail follows the east branch of the Westfield River from Knightville Dam to Chesterfield Gorge. The first mile or two are fairly flat dirt road through semi-open terrain. Then it becomes a somewhat rocky jeep track through deep woods, constantly climbing and descending. Sometimes you're right down on the riverbank, other times you're fifty feet or more above the river, looking down an extremely steep slope. The surface is packed dirt with embedded rocks, covered with coarse gravel in places. The climbs and descents are all short, and range from so slight that you can barely feel them in your legs, to steep enough to give even a strong rider a decent workout. The surface is negotiable with a rigid bike, but too much speed on the descents makes it difficult to hold onto the bars. A suspension fork will earn its keep here, and an FSB would do even better. There are some nice places to stop along the river, and the surroundings are lovely. Keep an eye out for wildlife - this is bear country. Beginners should be able to handle this trail, while more experienced riders should find it an enjoyable ride.
From Springfield/Westfield area: Rt.20 to Rt.112, north past center of Huntington, a few miles past junction of Rt.66
From Northampton/Easthampton: Rt.66 to end, right on Rt.112, north a few miles
From points north: Rt.112 south almost to Huntington
Signs mark entrances to Knightville Dam. Don't take the southernmost entrance - it will leave you on top of the dam, with no way down to where the trail is. The middle and northerly entrances are at the two ends of one road; the trail starts at the cement bridge about halfway along this road between the entrances. Park by the cement bridge, ride across it, and turn north (left).
Or - start at the other end, at Chesterfield Gorge off Rt.143 in Chesterfield. Park in the DEM Chesterfield Gorge parking lot.
Summary: This has to rate as one of my best rides close to home. I have been riding mostly rail trails and should have tried this sooner. I rode from the cement bridge above the Knightville Dam off rt.112 to the Chesterfield Gorge and back and loved it. the views and the trail or more appropriatly called a ruff gravel road was perfect riding. We used hard tail MT. bikes and this was the perfect bike. Take the time to walk and look at the Gorge on the north end.
Recommended Route: South from Knightville dam to the Gorge and return. You could ride Rt.112,Ireland St and rt.143 but if you like dirt ride both ways. It is a slight down hill from the gorge to the dam.
Other recommended trails in the same area: I am just starting to ride single track around here and know there are
great riding, but have not got to do more than rail trails.
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Review Date September 5, 2000
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Reviewed by: John
, from East Otis,MA
Summary: I actually found this trail in the "Arrow Street Guide". Some friends tried it from the Gorge end and said that it tended to be more downhill from this end, so we started from the Knightville Dam end in Huntington. We parked right off Rt. 112 (past the Dam entrance). We rode the paved road to the concrete bridge, crossed the bridge and headed up to the gorge. This is a great ride for all levels. Experienced riders will enjoy the views and terrain, newer riders will get to experience some challenge with no real intimidation. You just need to watch for the occasional hikers, and other bikers. There are a few sections with gravel and loose rock and a few small stream crossings. I don't think it really matters which end you start from, the climbs are not radically different in either direction. This is an excellent, fun ride for all abilities.
Recommended Route: This ride can be done from the gorge down or reverse. Not much difference.We started in Huntington and rode it up and back.
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Review Date June 25, 2000
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a month
Reviewed by: Kevin M
, from Chesterfield MA
Summary: The hills are very mild, when my fork was broken last year and i needed to go rigid for a while this is where i mostly went. Some rocks here and there for people who like to hop around. There is a trail-head start on the worthington 4-wheeler trail network on the top of the hill on IRELAND ST. Park at Gorge, bike up the paved hill and get in some great downhilling and maybe find some interesting jumps :) Anyone can do the gorge.
Recommended Route: Start at the c-field end...but that is coming from someone who lives in Chesterfield.
Other recommended trails in the same area: D.A.R. SF
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Review Date June 1, 2000
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Reviewed by: terran
, from hill towns
Summary: as I said more downhill starting at the Gorge. watch out for streams crossing the trail/un-kept road and also for turtles where you pass through the swamp. I'd say begginner to intermediate, it's not hard to keep in control but but you have to be able to handle some moderate hills and one or two hours riding.
Recommended Route: start from the Gorge, more downhlling on the trail
Other recommended trails in the same area: five star things, not much as far as trails go but a pretty good road.
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Review Date June 1, 2000
Overall Rating 2 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a year
Reviewed by: Susan
, from Dalton, MA
Summary: This is a nice ride. It is a great place for beginners (I practiced with my clipless pedals here!) and it is scenic enough for even more experienced riders to have a good ride. It is out and back, but you can ride the entire length for a view of the Knightsbridge dam or make it shorter if time is an issue.
Recommended Route: Same as above
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