Biking

The 10-mile Norwottuck Rail Trail (Damon Rd., Northampton, 413/586-8706, ext. 12) provides a pleasant afternoon ride along the Connecticut River between Northampton [1] and Amherst [2]. The trail offers diverse scenery of farmland, tobacco barns, and swampy conservation area frequented by birds, turtles, and other critters.

Bicycles can be rented at the Damon Road entrance in Northampton, and at Laughing Dog Bicycles (63 S. Pleasant St., Amherst, 413/253-7722, www.laughingdogbicycles.com [3]).