Local Trail Recommendations

BY ANDONI ZERVOGLOS  '22

As you probably know, summer is over. If you aren’t aware, it’s alright; this is definitely news to a lot of us. But while school has officially started, seize these last few days of warm weather by visiting the local trails in this guide!

Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge

Owned by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the Assabet River Wildlife Refuge occupies the towns of Hudson, Maynard, Sudbury, and Stow, and borders the Assabet River. The land is a beautiful mix of forests, marshes, and… abandoned bunkers! Though all the bunkers are welded shut (believe me, I’ve checked), you can walk up to them and marvel at the remnants of governmental military action so close to home. The bunkers were built to store ammunition after the land was seized by eminent domain in 1942. Later, laboratories used it for hazardous waste disposal before it became a state-owed cleanup area in 1980. In 2000, the clean land was given to the FSW. These fifteen miles of trails provide a bright atmosphere, contrasted by the looming bunkers along the way. ​​You can find a trail head on White Pond Road, just off the bike path.

Delaney Flood Control Site

A personal favorite, the Delaney Flood Control Site comprises a sprawling 577 acre plot of land in Bolton, Harvard, and Stow. The main attraction—the Campbell Dam—is right by the boat-ramp parking lot in Harvard. Originally built to circumvent flooding, today, it borders a stunning open field next to a lake surrounded by a man-made ridge. There are also some woods with many trails and loops, though they aren't marked very well, so I recommend downloading a map beforehand. 

Lime Kiln Quarry

Everyone knows how ugly geodes look before they are cut open—this plot of land in Bolton is a similar gem. The entrance is an overgrown dirt lot located off Route 117. But as you head into the extensive marked trail network, you realize the full extent of its beauty. The trails feature hills, caves, and even some old lime quarries and a kiln for those willing to explore.

Oak Hill

Oak Hill, a large parcel of land off Harvard Road in Littleton, includes six miles of hills, bluffs, and chasms. Lookout Rock is a 475 foot bluff that faces east, and the view is incredible! 

Trails are all around us, and they offer a lot to marvel at. No need to travel a long way to experience the world’s beauty: there’s so much to explore close to home!