Erica's Favorite Route

Gilbertville-Hardwick-Quabbin Reservoir

Central Massachusetts

Challenge Level:

Traffic Level:

Type Of Bike:

Road Bike, Hybrid

Distance:

23.3 Miles

Terrain:

Rolling hills with two long gradual uphills and a few short steep uphills, one long downhill

Traffic:

Very light throughout most of the ride. Moderate traffic on Route 32A.

Refreshments:

There is a small general store in Hardwick. There is a small restaurant and a convenience store in Gilbertville.

Highlights:

Quabbin Reservoir, Hardwick Village Green, artisans galleries

Nearby Bike Shops:

Whitco Sales, 140 Main Street, Spencer, MA 01562 (508) 885-9343
Hampshire Bicycle Exchange, 65 University Drive, Suite 5, Amherst, MA 01002, (413) 549-6575
Dick’s Bike Shop, 516 New Sherborn Road, Athol, MA 01331, (978) 249-4325

Websites:

Centuries, Massachusetts Department of Conservation, The Inn at Clamber Hill

Commentary

The town center of Gilbertville and the farms around Hardwick haven’t changed much over the last century and this secluded area of Central Massachusetts is ideal for exploring by bicycle. This ride also skirts the Quabbin Reservoir, a vast “accidental wilderness” that supplies Boston with drinking water. The reservoir, built in 1939, is one of the largest reservoirs in the world and covers 39 square miles. Although four towns were abandoned and 2,500 people were relocated, now all you see is dense pine forests protecting a vast body of crystal clear water where the towns once stood. The small islands that dot the reservoir were the hills surrounding the towns now buried beneath the water.

The 19th century brick mill buildings along the Ware River in Gilbertville, have all been abandoned. The vistas from Upper Church Street, of farms and the river valley change dramatically with the seasons. Hardwick’s general store is a good place for refreshments and the quiet village green is bordered by white clapboard churches and a village hall built in the 1700s. This village green is the site, every August, of the oldest continually running country fair in Massachusetts. The octagonal Paige Memorial library, diagonally across from the green, also merits a stop.

A few short detours will take you to three artisans' galleries: Frank Bly's on Ridge Road contains a variety of oil paintings and prints; and on Lucas Road, Don Roberts makes cabinets at his Farmers Workshop and Kate Morreale throws pots at Golden Egg Farm Pottery.

Directions to Start Ride

Mass Pike to exit 8 (Palmer). Turn right on Route 32 North to Ware. Continue on 32 North to the junction with 32A in Gilbertville.

Mile by Mile

Start ride in town of Gilbertville (Junction of Route 32 and 32A)-Park on street or at Cumberland Farms Gas Station
0.0 Turn right out of Cumberland Farms on to Rt 32A towards sign for 32 North
0.1 Follow signs for 32North
0.2 Turn Left on Upper Church Street-Uphill
0.4 Cemetery on right-continue straight on Upper Church Street
1.2 Bear to left at fork in Road -continue uphill
2.9 Turn right on unmarked road at end of Upper Church Street
3.6 Turn Left on Ridge Road-Uphill
4.7 Turn Left on Ruggles Hill Road
6.2 Turn right at stop sign on Common Street-go around statue and turn left at Yield sign-Town of Hardwick
6.3 Turn right on Greenwich Road-Uphill
7.2 Top of hill
8.9 Bear Right towards Gate 43 for Quabbin reservoir (there is a small parking area and two blue metal gates are on right.)-(Gate 43A is directly in front of you-Gate 43 is on your right)
9.0 Go straight around gate 43A ( you may have to walk your bike around the gate if it is closed to car traffic) follow road for 2.3 miles to pump house
11.3 Turn around at end of road-there is a Pump House and picnic area overlooking the Quabbin reservoir. Follow the same route back to Gate 43A at Greenwich Road.
13.6 Turn right on Greenwich Road
17.1. Continue straight on Greenwich Road--Thayer Road on right
17.6 Continue straight on Greenwich Road--Old Greenwich Road on right
18.6 Continue straight on Greenwich Road --Hardwick Pond Road
18.8 Turn left at second sign for Hardwick Pond Road-There is a Dairy Farm at this second turn for Hardwick Pond Road
19.0 Steep uphill
19.5 Hardwick Pond Road becomes Turkey Street-- three steep rolling hills
22.0 Turn Right on Dow Road (unmarked)-Farm on right with big blue Silo
22.2 Turn right at end of Dow Road on to 32A South
22.9 Turn right on Mechanic Street
23.3 Cumberland Farms on left-Town of Gilbertville-end of ride