Here’s a pond-side hiking area you may never have heard of: Noanet Woodlands in Dover, MA. Follow a network of trails across a grand preserve that features woodlands and ponds, a former mill site, waterfalls and Noanet Peak, which offers views of the Boston skyline. Both kid and dog friendly!
What makes Noanet Woodlands a special place?
I 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.
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.
When to Visit
Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 2 hours
Print out a trail map here or visit the Noanet Woodlands website for more information. Where: Map Dedham Street in Dover MA.
Posted by: Scott Freerksen “The Lake Guy”