The Reformatory Branch Trail is a nearly four-mile dirt path that connects historic Bedford and Concord, Massachusetts. It was originally a railroad right of way of the Middlesex Central Railroad which opened in 1873, running from Lexington to Bedford and Concord. In 1879 the railroad was extended 2.5 miles west to the Concord Reformatory, now Massachusetts Correctional Institution, hence the trail’s name.

The line was taken over by the Boston and Maine Railroad in 1887, maintaining passenger service until 1926 and freight service until 1962 when the entire branch was abandoned. The right of way was purchased by the Towns of Concord and Bedford at that time. The trail passes near some of Concord’s significant recreational and historic sites, including Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and Minute Man National Historical Park. In Bedford, the existing Minuteman Bikeway will soon be extended past Bedford Depot Park to the Reformatory Branch Trailhead, which will be paved and renamed the Minuteman Bikeway Extension.

Photo courtesy of savetherbt.com