Middlesex Fells
The DCR Middlesex Fells
Reservation
Middlesex Fells Reservation Headquarters
The Botume House Visitor Center
4 Woodland Road
Stoneham, MA 02180
(617) 727-5380
2017
Open – weather permitting
TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS:
The trails at the Middlesex Fells Reservation
include both wider forest road - trails
(fire roads) and narrower single track trails.
Approved trails are marked on the trail map,
and generally signed or blazed. There are also
many illegal, user-created trails within the
reservation. DCR is working to close many
of these trails. Please avoid user-created trails,
and respect trail closures.
Many single track trails have steep, rough and
rocky sections and may be slippery or muddy
at any time of the year. All users should use
caution.
53146_Middlesex_Fells.indd 1
Special features at the Fells include the Sheep-
Reservation:
The Middlesex Fells Reservation’s 2,575 acres
offer a welcome retreat for city dwellers and
a suitable terrain for hikers, mountain bikers,
horseback riders, cross-country skiers and pic-
nickers, as well as, natural and cultural history
enthusiasts. The “Fells” takes its name from
the Saxon word for rocky, hilly tracts of land -
an apt name for this scenic area. The area was
first explored by Governor Winthrop and his
men in the winter of 1632: “ ...they came to a
very great pond, having in the midst an island
West of Route 93:
• Skyline Trail. White blazes. 6.9 miles.
Average hiking time: 5 hours. The trail
follows the outer perimeter of the western
Fells. There are spectacular views of Boston
and the surrounding area. Most of the
Skyline Trail is in wooded landscape,
with several steep ascents to rocky
outcrops. This trail is open to
pedestrians only. A difficult hike.
Spot Pond
• Reservoir Trail. Orange blazes. 5.2 miles.
Average hiking time: 3.5 hours. This multi-
use trail encircles the north, middle, and
south reservoirs and the open water can
be seen from many sites (the reservoirs
are for drinking water, so access to them
is prohibited). A moderate to difficult
hike.
• Long Pond Nature Trail. Yellow blazes 0.9
miles. Average hiking time: 1 hour. The nature
trail was developed by Winchester Trails
(sponsored by the Winchester School
Dept. and Conservation Commission). This
organization has a nature pamphlet and
a teacher’s manual describing plants,
animals, insects, and geology at 12 trail
stations. This area is open for pedestrian
use only. An easy hike.
TRAIL USE GUIDELINES:
of about one acre and very thick with trees of
pine and beech and the pond had divers small
rocks standing up here and there in it, which
therefore called Spot Pond” (quote from Gov.
Winthrop’s private papers). Later the land was
favored for its timber,
granite quarrying, ice
industry, and water
power for many
mills. By the 1890’s
preserving open
space for public use
was gaining interest,
the Middlesex Fells
Reservation became
one of the first pre-
served public parks
and a prototype for
urban park systems across the country. Today
it’s legacy remains as a green respite six miles
north of Boston and among the most mature
woodlands in eastern Massachusetts.
• Mountain Bike Loop. Green blazes. 6.4
miles. Average riding time: 1 hour. This loop
within the western Fells is mostly on fire
roads with some short sections of single
track trail. It provides an easy ride around
the Winchester reservoirs traversing pine
and mixed hardwood forests. Caution,
this trail is used by a variety of users and
shares segments with other blazed loops.
Bikers should yield to other uses.
An easy ride.
CONNECTING WEST AND EAST:
• Cross Fells Trail. Blue blazes. 4.5 miles.
Average hiking time: 5 hours one way.
Beginning in the western Fells near the
Medford High School, the Cross Fells Trail
gives a good sampling of the features of
the park, from wetlands at Whitmore
Brook to open water at Quarter Mile Pond
in the eastern Fells, to views at Cairn Hill.
Use caution crossing South Border Road,
Route 28, Woodland Road, and Fellsway
East. A difficult hike.
USER ETIQUETTE:
fold meadow, Bellevue Pond, Wright’s Tower,
Virginia Wood, Lawrence Woods, Spot Pond,
and over 100 miles of trails. The Sheepfold is
a 10-acre open field used by dog walkers and
as one of the primary entryways to the trails
located in the western half of the Fells.
Bellevue Pond is a seasonal pond surrounded
by trails and wide fire roads, including those
leading up to Wright’s Tower, which looks out
over the Boston Basin. Virginia Wood, the site
of a vanished mill village called “Haywardville”,
is now a hemlock enclave featuring a self-guided
interpretive history trail. Lawrence Woods is
an area of the Fells south of South Border Road
with many wide “fire roads”, views and vernal
pools. Long Pond parking area offers access
from Winchester to a nature trail and scenic
areas.
EAST OF ROUTE 93:
• Crystal Spring Trail. Red blazes. 2.1 miles.
Average hiking time: 2.5 hours. Skirting
the edge of a wetland, the trail ascends
Saddleback and Whip Hills and passes
close to Crystal Spring. The trail crosses
through Virginia Wood (open to pedestrians
only) and ultimately connects to the Rock
Circuit Trail to the south of Pond Street.
(Use caution crossing Pond Street and
Ravine Road.) A moderate hike.
• Spot Pond Archaeological District Self
Guided Trail. Yellow blazes. 0.8 miles.
Average hiking time: 1 hour. The trail is
marked one way (beginning at the Virginia
Wood parking area at 1 Woodland Road),
for use with the self-guided trail brochure,
describing 150 years of water powered
industry. An easy hike. Brochures are avail-
able at the ‘Botume House’ Reservation
Headquarters, 4 Woodland Road, Stoneham.
The following rules and regulations were
established in the interest of public safety,
protection of natural and cultural resources,
and to ensure an enjoyable experience for
all visitors:
• The DCR Middlesex Reservation is open
only from dawn to dusk.
• Dogs must be on leash (except inside the
designated off-leash area at the Sheepfold
field). Dogs at the Sheepfold must be under
voice control of their handler.
• There is a limit of four dogs per handler in
the reservation.
• All dog waste must be properly picked up
and disposed of. Do not leave bags along
trail.
• All off-trail uses, including nature study and
geo-caching, are prohibited without a permit.
• No trespassing on posted Winchester
Reservoir property. Do not hike, walk, or
ride on trails or roads posted as no public
access by the Town of Winchester.
• Mountain biking is allowed on designated
trails only, and not in Virginia Woods or
the Long Pond areas.
• Mountain biking is not allowed on unpaved
trails from March 1 - 31 or as posted.
• No person shall engage in any business
without written permit from the DCR.
• Injuring or otherwise disturbing animals
or birds or their habitat is prohibited.
• Dumping and littering are prohibited.
• Breach of peace, profanity, disorderly
or offensive conduct, and possession
of alcohol are forbidden.
• Users must obey all posted signs.
• Rock Circuit Trail. White blazes. 3.7
miles. Average hiking time: 4.5 hours. Much
of the trail traverses rocky outcrops in this
corner of the park, providing a variety of
scenic views. A difficult hike.
• Rock Circuit Connector. Orange blazes.
0.6 miles. Allows hikers to cut the Rock
Circuit Trail in half. It runs between gate
#51 on Fellsway East and Rock Circuit Trail
north of Boojum Rock. A moderate hike.
• Forest Road - Trails in the Eastern Fells
and Lawrence Woods. Various loops and
distances. A variety of wider forest road –
trails in the Eastern Fells and Lawrence
Woods provide multi-use trail loops and
opportunities for walkers, mountain bikers
and cross-country skiers. Many of these
pass vernal pools, traverse diverse habitats
and provide scenic views of the reservation.
• Be friendly and courteous.
• Share the trails. Ride, walk, or run on
the right, pass on the left.
• Stay on the official trails. Going off trail
or on user-created trails creates erosion,
damages habitat, and causes new trails
which can’t be maintained.
• Bicyclists should yield to equestrians,
runners, and hikers. Keep your bike
under control; ride at a safe speed and
within your ability at all times.
• Warn people when you are planning
to pass.
• All trail users should avoid unpaved
trails when they are muddy or wet.
• When a horse approaches, move off
the trail. Don’t use bells or horns,
which may frighten horses.
• Anticipate other trail users around
corners and blind spots.
• Leave no trace. Pack out your litter.
Respect wildlife.
• Dogs should be kept on leashes and
under control on all trails.
• Respect private property.
Middlesex Fells
Reservation
About DCR:
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Department of Conservation and Recreation
(DCR) is steward to over 450,000 acres of
forests, parks, greenways, trails, historic sites
and landscapes, seashores, lakes, ponds,
reservoirs and watersheds. The DCR serves to
protect, promote, and enhance our common
wealth of natural, cultural, and recreational
resources for the well being of all; and to
cooperate and partner with those who share
this common purpose. To learn about DCR
and discover more about the parks, programs
and recreational opportunities within the
Massachusetts state parks, please visit
www.mass.gov/dcr or contact us at
mass.parks@state.ma.us.
www.mass.gov/dcr
2017
2/23/17 8:21 PM
 A B C D E F G

Fie
ld s

Park
93

ton
e
North

Dri
Exit

Stree
ve

t
35 Stoneham Avenue
Chisho
et lm Road North Borde 28
Stre r Ro 19
st ad

53146_Middlesex_Fells.indd 2
1 Fore Fallon R o ad 20 rive
Stonewood Aven
ue
1
Money Hill Gorham Avenue E1-1 D
C1-7 Tedford

Cit
Dana A
C1-1

ati
venue

o
ad

nA
Wilson Road ond 46

et
S
ful P Ro

ven
Nor

pa
C1-2 th d

ue
Dole

ad
rha
18

Woodbriar Road
Bor on

w
Orient

oad
C1-3 l P
Street der

kC

ad
fu

ircl
C1-6
Roa le
Valley Road

e
d Do
B1-1 C1-5

Main Stre
Winchester Hospital

Parkway Ro
Pon

Fairview R
C1-4
22

Upland Ro
d St
(781) 729-9000 Bear Hill South
E1-2

reet
Tower
Street
45

Road
Alb C2-4 E2-10
Fairm Restricted
Kenw ount S
treet Str en
eet C2-1 Hall Pool
in Ro

Be
ad Res

Wh
er v C2-3

ar

H ill Trail
oir Pond
St. S treet F2-1 Per

Dike
kins
44
Road

ar
ip H
Straw Point St
b

Appala ree
F2-16
Grays
t

Be
chian

ill
on Ro
ad D2-3 Whip F2-15
D2-4 F2-17

D2-1
Road E2-9
d

C2-2 Hill F2-13

a

Sheep Pasture
Winchester
Newcom

Ainsw B2-2 Wi E2-1

Hill Roa d
orth
No
llo
w Point Wh
Road rth 23 ip
Stone

Path

Dikes Brook

ue
Sp 43 H

n
rin Zoo il F2-12
g C2-5 l F2-14
Re
D2-2
Warwick Ro

Pa t h F2-2

Ave
se Ro ay

nd
r vo C2-6
ad
F2-10 F2-20 P ark w
F2-19
Lynn Fells

ghla
2 ir E2-7 47 2
D2-5 D2-7

Hi
Hillcre
Wilso
E2-8 F2-11
E2-2
n Str

Fells
eet B

st Pa
h

ea
F2-18

rkw
Saddleback F2-3 t

Road
ay
Princ
e A ve Winthrop Pa
nue E2-3 Hill F2-7 F2-9 ng West Emerson Street
Hill k Pa t h C r o s ri

Hil
Euclid Restricted D2-6 E2-6 ac s Sp

e
b Pa F2-8

le
l

Avenu
e th
ay

stl
E2-4
ta

17

reet
B2-3
kw

S add

St
r

Tr e

l Road
Hillcre Exit 34 Pa

d
Crys

st Par ls

ton
kway B2-4 Dark Bold Point E2-5 F2-4 Fel
C2-7 n

roa
n

hing
C2-8 Hollow Ly

s
il
B2-5

a
ring Road
B2-1 al Sp

Ra

W
15 Pond yst F2-5 F2-6
Cr
16 B3-5 D3-2 41

h
B3-7
C3-1 D3-1 Crystal

at
P F3-1
Spring
ad

B3-1 D3-3
an D3-4 Spot Pond
B3-2 W ym B3-6
B3-8
B3-4 42
Melrose
B3-3 B3-14 Reser voir

M
Pond
B3-15 24
B3-13 F3-2 F3-6
Stree

id
B3-9 t
W o odland Ro

C3-2 D3-5 Spot Pond

B3-12

dl
e 93

Path
Boating Center F3-3

e
F3-5
Sp o
Off-leash t P o n d B r o ok

R
F3-4

S oap
B3-10 Recreation 37 d
oa

Box

l
es
Area sR
Fells w ay E a

Interstat

De
B3-17 Botume House Virginia 48 ilip

e
st

h
West
B3-16 P

rby T
B3-11 Long Wood Wyo
Visitor Center

Poo
d

rack

rv
3 Pond
ming
Ave
3
Garland St

Sheepfold Deer Hill

Roa
oi
nue
Longfello

oad

r
Ben's Cove
reet

D3-6 38 Road ia R
25 Ravine F elic
40

Hill
w Road

D3-7
Cliff S
tr eet 39

Nanepashemet
Pin Glen Street
Mt. Vernon Stre F3-7 e
et
eet

erry
n e pashemet
B3-22
Chan
Str

Gr
F3-8

y
dle ov
D3-8

Na
r Ro
age

ad e
t

wa
Lynde Avenue

B3-20 B3-21 C3-4

Cot

Great Island

a rk
C3-3

Cranb
h

yP 14 B3-18 F3-9 F3-10

Pa
Mystic V a lle B3-19 th
B3-23
et

26
C4-14
Stre

B4-2
on

B4-1 F4-3
ose Pat

B4-7 Tudor
Aar

Pipe Line Road

ad
venue

Mo
lly B4-6 C4-3
a d Barn
n Ro
nt A

's S
o

Ro F4-4
Melr

34 E4-1
prin
g
B4-3
Clint
Cresce

C4-2 D4-1
Reser 49
B4-5 vat E4-2

nue
B4-4 C4-1
He

Ma
Hadley Cove F4-1
ion
Long Pond 13 Restricted Hill Path
m

D4-2 F4-2
ad

son
35 Pa
Parking Area No Public Access

Str
th
loc

Ro

cke

ad
27

nd Ave
k

eet
Gerr
Fines Apply Pi Pickerel Rock le F4-6
Gerry
rel

White
P

Mi E4-3 th
ad

D4-3 a d Half o ol F4-5 ing Pa Melrose

C4-4 Hill Ro F4-7 Rock

Highla
Ro a W y om Gould Street

m Ro
28 Rock
Fellsway East

F4-8
nd Ro

B4-11 G4-1

Da
B4-8 G4-2
Path

C4-7
C4-6 D4-4 50

st
Quart

E4-4 E4-5
B4-10 e
Woodla

D4-6
4 B4-9
W
oo
ks
4
h

Br 0
Fells R
-1
er Mil

es er v
C4 Ro a d E4-9 F4-11
Pat

C4-5 28 MWR oir

S
C4-11 A

o
W
ck

u
D4-5
e Pon

t
C4-8 hi
Loren
B4-12
le

a
d

te

h
Road oir C4-9 Half M i Ro
93 E4-10 F4-10 51
B4-13
erv E4-8 Restricted

Bord
E4-12 E4-11 G4-3
Wa

Res E4-6 nd Pa t h No Public Access G4-4

C4-12 dla
sh

29 E4-14 E4-15 The

in

er Ro
Parcourse 32 oo Fines Apply

a
uth C4-13 W E4-7 Hem
Wrights

d
gto

Leslie R
o ad So Fitcenter Hemlock Pa t h Cascade
Si
Pleasant Street

nS

E4-16
lo

Park
tr

Pool 13
Path

33 - E4-17
lve

Silver E4
ck

B4-14 (City of Medford)

Fellsway West

F4-9
eet

r
Pool

E4-18
P

Mine Hill o
B5-3 D5-2 E5-2 o F5-2 G5-3
Restricted C5-4 l
ck

G5-1
C5-6
Jeffers
on Ro B5-1 No Public Access C5-5
D5 Ro F5-1 G5-2
ad B5 -1 58
-2 ad Black
mlo

Pierre Fines Apply E5-1

pont Flynn Rock
C5-3
He

Road
C5-9 D5-3 Rink F5-3
C5-2 52 G5-5

ad
Black Rock

Mi

F5-4 F5-10 G5-6

MIT F5-7
ne

d C5-8 Observatory G5-4

m R oad
oad

le Ro
R oa R G5-7

a
D5-4 E5-3 54 53
B5-4 am C5-7 F5-5 F5-6

t D
D 30
Eas t

Midd
Holly
h

es
wood C5-10 eet G5-8
Path

R Wrights

W
ut Str
Da

oad m
So R oad C5-11 son
Fulton Street

Pond Wa eet

Road
Wenepoykin Baxter S
Str
Jingle

C5-20 treet F5-8

F5-12

C5-18 Hill rg es Eas G5-9

wdale
Stu tB
F5-9 F5-11
5 C5-1
ord 5
Mo

e East

Willo
rg
ry

C5-19
rR

B5-9 C5-12
an

12 B5-8
Pa t h
A

C5-21 Boojum
oad

B5-6 C5-17 Pinnacle

Hig
Jer

ven

D5-5
h

C5-15 Rock
Path

Rock
ue

11 B5-10
lan

Haines
90 mm C5-16 Str eet
d
Maurice Street

oa
dA

B5-5 55
cle

Site 9 C5-14 Aquavia R t

ven

y tree
et

Bra ton S 57
ue

C5-13
Park Av
Wa B5-7 10 t cke Gas enue
inna

Stre

C5-24 ree
t

wn t
P

M tt S
th

To B5-15 mS tre

Road
C5-25
tree

Intersta

id

El et 56
mer

Ram's Head D5-7

te
ck S

Blo

dle
at

Hill D5-6
rma

8
93
o

B5-13 C5-23
B5-12
ss P
McC

B5-11 B5-14
Road
Ames Street

C5-22

Brook
R

Priscilla La
C6-4
Cro
ry

ne
st

B6-4
r

Main Stre
oa d

B6-5 B6-6 Little

et
Red
ay Ea

Pine Hill
Qua

B6-3
Road
Me

re
B6-2

o
Woodland Road

eti
Andrews Street

C6-1 D6-1
Fellsw

ng

B6-7 Panther

tm
Way i
Ho

B6-1 C6-3
d

Winford h Cave
us

W
e

Lawrence B6-8
He
Bro

C6-2
o

ok Woods C6-8
k

B6-9 Glenwood Street

s

Bro
ore
Mud Road

m
hit D6-2
Sou

W
Ra
Middle

Pine Hill
th B

ad Malden
or

ae l e Ro
Ro

D6-3
de
Ron r Ro D6-4
ad

ad
Wright's Gordon
6
Tower
Road
B6-14
R oad

1
v

6
d
e

7 D6-5
l

C6-5
Circle
l

6 B6-11 C6-9
Pon ue
Be

B6-10
S t . D enis Ro a d
a rry

Headland W
ad
Road

Trail Loops

ad
Arden Ro
Roads and Trails

ay
Jeremiah
Qu

B6-13
Charlem
C6-6
o nt Rd.
B6-12

d Ro
5
Fult West of Route 93 Hiking Trail
Avenue

stea
Brews
Franklin Medford High ter Ro on S
B6-17 a d prin
Head

and Voc. School C6-7

Play
Westw g Ro Forest Way**
Street

Sherwo ood Ro ad Skyline Trail

B6-15 od Roa ad
Samson d
B6-16 Road Minor Road
Fulton

Roosevelt Reservoir Trail*

ms

e Major Road
B7-3
Ra

B7-1 nu Circle
B7-5 B7-6 ve Long Pond Nature Trail
38 tts A Numbered Route
use Ridg
B7-2 ss ach ew Mountain Bike Loop*
ay Ro
B7-4 Ma Exit 33 ad
Wi Medford Saint Fran
Hospital
nth 3 cis Street Connecting East & West
Sai

Keith
rop Road
nt C

Governors Avenue
l

Numbered Gate
are

Judkin

Str Cross Fells Trail

Lincoln R

C7-1
Roa

eet
d

Parking Lot
s Road
oad

Damon R

2 C7-2
Ramshea
oad

East of Route 93
d

Blakely R

ad DCR Skating Rink

e Ro
oad

sid
et

Road

7 od ad 28
Fellsway W Crystal Spring Trail DCR Swimming Pool 7
Wo Ro 4 est
t Stre

i nt ey Lawrence Memorial Lawrence Road Reservation Headquarters

Wh d Spot Pond Brook Historic Trail
oa
Fores

rR ce Road 93
tie Lawren Hospital
hit Rock Circuit Trail Boat Rentals
W (781) 306-6000
Bus Stop
Rock Circuit Connector
Tower
Healthy Heart Trail
A B C D E F Point of Interest G
D6-4 Numbered Intersection
Special Restrictions
Open Water/Reservoir
Off-leash Recreation Area (OLRA)
Capped Reservoir
No Mountain Biking
Marsh/Bog
MWRA Water Supply Land
Wooded Marsh
Municipal Water Supply Land Stream
0 0.5 1
(no public access) 3 Meter Elevation Contour
Reservation Boundary
Miles
0 500 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 Town Boundary

Feet
* Designated multi-use trail.
** Designated multi-use except in Virginia Wood and Long Pond areas or as otherwise posted by DCR.
2/23/17 8:21 PM