HomeBoston, MA5 Best Hiking Trails in Boston, MA

5 Best Hiking Trails in Boston, MA

Below is a list of the top and leading Hiking Trails in Boston. To help you find the best Hiking Trails located near you in Boston, we put together our own list based on this rating points list.

Boston’s Best Hiking Trails: 

The top-rated Hiking Trails in Boston, MA are:

  • Charles River Reservation – a 20-mile reservation that stretches along Charles River
  • Stony Brook Reservation – a small forest in the middle of Boston that offers activities for the whole family
  • Lower Neponset River Trail – a 2.4-mile long rail trail with views of the Neponset River in the Dorchester section of Boston, Massachusetts
  • Freedom Trail Starting Point – a unique collection of historical locations that tell the story of the American Revolution and beyond
  • Hammond Pond Reservation – the largest conservation area just west of Boston, with unique brooks, ponds, wetlands, fields, and a historic woodland garden

Charles River Reservation

Charles River Reservation

Charles River Reservation is a 20-mile reservation that stretches along Charles River. The reservation site offers plenty of activities for friends and family to gather. Numerous facilities can be found in the area such as baseball, basketball, football, skating rink, football, and many more. It’s a place perfect for all sorts of activities such as hiking, biking, canoeing, fishing, ice skating, swimming, and other educational programs. Moreover, they also accommodate weddings, offering the perfect setting for breathtaking views of the area.

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LOCATION: 

Address: 1175A Soldiers Field Rd, Boston, MA 02116, United States
Phone: (617) 727-4708
Website: mass.gov/locations/charles-river-reservation

REVIEWS: 

“A beautiful park along the Charles River in Brighton. There is a large parking lot which was nice. The park has lots of green space along the River as well as walking and bike paths. There are also a variety of benches and picnic tables. I used this park to access the Charles River with my paddleboard, and it was perfect for it. Easy to launch a kayak as well. All in all a great city park.” – Kyle W.

Stony Brook Reservation

Stony Brook Reservation

Stony Brook Reservation is a small forest in the middle of Boston that offers activities for the whole family. It’s a great place to explore the 12 miles of quiet trails on foot or bike in an urban forest. In the southern end, there are also athletic fields, a pool, and a spray deck. The family can also enjoy plenty of fishing and perch in the Turtle Pond. Other activities that they offer include baseball, biking, canoeing, kayaking, educational programs, fishing, hiking, tennis, and soccer.

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LOCATION: 

Address: 95 Turtle Pond Pkwy, Hyde Park, MA 02136, United States
Phone: (617) 333-7404
Website: mass.gov/locations/stony-brook-reservation

REVIEWS: 

“A hidden city gem in any season – so many trails, easy access from West Roxbury or Hyde Park (including bus and commuter rail)” – Michael L.

Lower Neponset River Trail

Lower Neponset River Trail

Lower Neponset River Trail is a 2.4-mile long rail trail with views of the Neponset River in the Dorchester section of Boston, Massachusetts. The trail, which opens from dawn to dusk, offers fantastic views of salt marshes, urban wild, and sights of the calm river. The clean and relaxing environment offers a great opportunity for a morning or afternoon hike or bike ride. Furthermore, it is also a fun and wonderful place for children who like to play.

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LOCATION: 

Address: Dorchester, Massachusetts to Milton, Massachusetts
Phone: (617) 727-5290
Website:  mass.gov/locations/lower-neponset-river-trail

REVIEWS: 

“This is one of the best bike trails in the Boston area, I have been biking around MA, this is one of my favorites, the other two are both in Cape Cod, Shining Sea Bikeway, and Cape Cod Rail Trail. If you don’t want to drive for one and a half hours to Cape Cod, this one is perfect for you.” – Weidi W.

Freedom Trail Starting Point

Freedom Trail Starting Point

Freedom Trail Starting Point is a unique collection of museums, churches, meeting houses, burying grounds, ships, and other historic markers that tell the story of the American Revolution and beyond. Stretching for 2.5 miles in Boston’s iconic location with 16 nationally significant historic sites, they offer a world-renowned, signature tourist experience attracting over 4 million people annually. Historical sites such as Park Street Church, USS Constitution, and Massachusetts State House can be seen along the trail with tours available for a more enriching experience.

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LOCATION: 

Address: Freedom Trail, Boston, MA 02114, United States
Phone: (702) 235-6014
Website: thefreedomtrail.org

REVIEWS: 

“Wow! Such a cool trail. My family loved filling the bricks on the Freedom Trail. We stopped at so many places. We walked from Boston Public Gardens to the North End. Absolutely stunning city views. The history was so interesting. We stopped in churches, graveyards, and city hall. The trail is easy to follow and we always felt safe. We ended with a stop to Mike’s Pastry in the North Nd.” – Tee D.

Hammond Pond Reservation

Hammond Pond Reservation

Hammond Pond Reservation is the largest conservation area just west of Boston, with unique brooks, ponds, wetlands, fields, and a historic woodland garden. As a protected woodland park, it showcases Hammond Pond, fishing, and hiking trails, as well as formations of sandstone conglomerate and Roxbury puddingstone for rock climbing. The trails and cliffs attract hikers and rock climbers alike, as the trails are well-marked with no obstructions along the way. Moreover, the reservation provides valuable habitats for a diversity of wildlife, aquatic species, and native plants.

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LOCATION: 

Address: Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, United States
Phone: (617) 333-7404
Website: mass.gov/locations/hammond-pond-reservation

REVIEWS: 

“Beautiful little area to walk around when you’re tired of the shopping center. Small wall with top roping and a nice little bouldering cave for some relaxing climbing, would highly recommend if you bring equipment or live in the area!” – Kevin C.