Hiking and Rock Climbing

Though many think that in order to go hiking or rock climbing you have to go up to the white mountains of New Hampshire or Vermont, there are plenty of opportunities just outside of Boston, you just need to know where to look.

Breakheart Reservation - Wakefield/Saugus

Breakheart reservation is one of my favorite places to go. They have endless hiking trails (though sometimes not well marked) but you can find your way out as long as you have a general idea of where the main roads go. From the entrance at the Wakefield Vocational School, you can take a left on the paved road and follow it down to a nice beach with a playground. There if you look out across the lake you'll notice a big cliff, Eagle Rock which can be accessed if you follow a trail around the lake to the right.

From the top of Eagle Rock there are great views of Boston and you can also see some other rock out-croppings that are hikeable.

In the Voc parking lot there are also a few lines where a top rope can be set up from trees at the top. There is a trail that goes up to the top of these cliffs, which also continues on towards the powerlines.

If you go straight from the Voc originally, take a right when the powerlines go over you.

There are some trails that go up that line and if you stay to the left of the woods, you can hike up to Castle Rock which has some fun bouldering and climbing if you decide to bring along rope.

In my opinion scooters are actually the best mode of transportation at Breakheart (even though nobody seems to use them these days) The paved trails are easy to cruise down, then you can just take the scooter with you when you want to go off on one of the trails without having to lock your bike. Even in the winter Breakheart has a lot to offer, but make sure to check the ice first.

The Fells

The Middlesex Fells is one of the biggest land reservations in Massachusetts and lies conveniently right outside of Boston. One of the most popular places to go there is The Tower.



The Tower is just a short steep hike up to an observation tower that looks out over Boston and I-93, and can actually be seen from the highway.

Climbing Black Rocks Middlesex Fells East

In the East Fells, there's also a great place to go climbing. The Black and White Rocks have many faces, I found the Black rocks to be more enjoyable because there's one route that is about 80 feet high. You can access them in an easy ten minute walk and top rope off the top or walk around to the bottom.

Standing on White Rocks with Black Rocks in the Background

For directions: http://www.rockclimbing.com/routes/North_America/United_States/Massachusetts/Greater_Boston/Black_and_White_Rocks/


Further hiking trails can be found by following this link: http://www.fells.org/thefells/trails.cfm

Quincy Quarries

One of the best places for rock-climbing I've found so far is Quincy Quarries. An urban climber's heaven, this place is an old quarry that has been modernized into a park with lots of opportunities for top-roping and bouldering with many known routes and anchors set up at the top. Taking exit 8 off I-93 can get you there pretty easily, for better directions check out http://www.rockclimbing.com/routes/North_America/United_States/Massachusetts/Greater_Boston/Quincy_Quarries/.

The cliffs are quite steep but there are many great holds from drilling that used to occur there along with some crags and cracks to be climbed.

While you're there be sure to enjoy the urban artwork (graffiti) and great views of Boston.

Warning: Do not swim in the quarries. A lot of the pools do not drop off like you would expect and instead have ledges just under the surface which could cause serious injury.

If you're interested in finding more climbing spots, try this website: http://www.rockclimbing.com/routes/North_America/United_States/Massachusetts/Greater_Boston/

Holt Hill

Another great place for short day hikes or to catch the sunset is Holt Hill in Ward Hill Reservation. Holt Hill located in North Andover is an area comprising of three trails, one leading through a series of bridges in a bog and wetland offers great wildlife viewing, the other two leading to the top of the hill through fields to the summit.

Having been a ski area in the past, you can see from the summit the clear cut area that used to be a beginner hill with a rope-tow.

The solstice stones at the top are a great place to watch the sunset over Boston, but be careful staying too long after sundown as the area is often patrolled with dogs.