Beside the Canal
If you see Turners Falls from the bike trail, it quickly becomes apparent that the town is all but surrounded by wide-open water. To the east, you’ll find Barton Cove, a well-known and -travelled spot for waterborne recreation. It’s a particularly good place for a paddle, and with luck, you’ll spot some of the local bald eagles.
To the west, the waters of Barton Cove become a canal, which leads to a reservoir. And just beyond the canal lies the Connecticut River.
It’s not as well-travelled as some of the Valley’s more southerly rail trails, but if you’re looking for a short but rewarding ride, look no further. If you start where the Canalside trail begins, beside Unity Park, you can see where a long-gone bridge used to span the waters. Now it’s mostly a pleasant place to enjoy the view into the wide expanse of Barton Cove. From there, the trail soon ducks under the current bridge from town to Route 2, and just beyond lies the Turners Falls Fishway. Which is, just as advertised, where the fish can make their way up via a series of pools to get past the Turners dam. The ladder is primarily active in May and June.
The Canalside trail heads around behind downtown Turners, which is itself a fun place to visit, with an eclectic array of shops and restaurants.
Lovers of frothy refreshment will find several opportunities to cool off from bike-trail exertion with a pint. Near the Unity Park end, there’s Pioneer Valley Brewing, with a taproom and frequent entertainment (and let’s face it, any place with a beer named Karma Citra is likely worth some interest). Nearby, there’s the Rendezvous, with drinks, food, and its own entertainment roster. A fair bit down the path, on the edge of downtown Turners, there’s Brick and Feather. It’s a small place, with a stellar reputation for its beers. Hours are limited, but it’s well worth a stop.
Also worth noting is the trailside Sadie’s Bikes. It’s a great place to give your two wheels some attention, and crucially, its proprietor knows his stuff with old bikes and new. It also bills itself a “curiosity shop,” so you might find something truly unusual (cigar box speaker, anyone?).
The heart of what makes the Canalside Trail worthwhile is its contrasts – its downtown may seem unassuming at a glance, but it’s nonetheless a place with its share of intriguing small businesses worth exploring. But very close-by, the trail winds its way to lovely water views stretching away to the distance. You may well find yourself ready to just find a trailside bench and soak it all in.
