We think it’s the more than 17 miles of shady trails and woods roads you’ll find here for walking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and horseback riding. Enjoy leisurely strolls, mountain biking, and birding – you might even hike to the top of Noanet Peak for terrific views of the Boston skyline.
Kids will especially enjoy the popular Caryl Trail, a 0.5-mi. walk to an old mill site. For a more strenuous trek, ascend Noanet Peak for views of Boston. The trails here link to the 1,200-acre Hale Reservation, a privately owned open space preserve that offers more miles of trail for an extended day of hiking, skiing, or riding in the woods.
In the spring, listen to and look for warblers, thrushes, and other songbirds. Scarlet tanagers and northern orioles are common throughout the summer, while hawks migrate overhead during the fall. The four ponds are home to bluegills, painted turtles, and bullfrogs. Wildflowers, including pink lady's slipper, flowering wintergreen, and marsh marigold, abound in the woods and marsh.
Through the centuries, this almost-600-acre landscape has seen many uses – as preserved space, an early industrial site, and Native American hunting ground. In 1923, Amelia Peabody purchased a nearby farm and over the next six decades acquired hundreds of acres. Miss Peabody regularly encouraged the public to enjoy her property, and became a beloved figure in the community.
Trails
17 miles of trails. Moderate hiking, strenuous in places.
