Walking and hiking are popular here in Boston. There are good reasons why the city is rated as one of the “most walkable cities” in the US. As a matter of fact, there is almost an unlimited choice of walking trails in or near the city.
If you are looking for longer hikes, there are a number of large nature preserves and parks just outside of the city. For example, less than 30 minutes from the city is the Fells Reservation, with its 7-mile hike that feels like you are in a remote part of New Hampshire. Or take the train to Plum Island, a 6-mile-long barrier beach where nearly 600 bird species visit annually.
If you are ready for some serious hiking, just head north to the New Hampshire White Mountains, where you will find unlimited choice and challenge.
Here are some of Boston's favorites: If you would like to know more, please
Arnold Arboretum
The Arnold Arboretum, located in Jamaica Plain and Roslindale, has been managing a collection of trees, shrubs, and vines since 1872. Meandering through the park, there are some wonderful walking trails. You will be passing through beautiful woods with flowers, exotic shrubs, and ponds. What looks flat on the map is in fact somewhat hilly, with Peter's Hill in the south being the highest. At the beginning of the trail, there is a visitor center with all kinds of good information and paper maps.
Emerald Necklace
The Emerald Necklace is a walker's dream, with beautiful trails across many parks starting from the center of the city. This chain of parks was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1888 with the intention of creating an interconnected green space that reaches from Boston Common to Franklin Park.
You will be passing through the most enchanting and varied of areas, from busy cityscapes with museums, shops, and restaurants to wild nature preserves; from bucolic trails with arched bridges and flower gardens to ponds and lakes where waterfowl gathers. Most of the trails are protected from cars, but there are a few street crossings and connections that need to be completed. A few times, it can be a little tricky to make the connection from one park to another, especially near Fenway. Simply follow the map on the right and follow the signs on the road.
Esplanade
The Charles River Esplanade is probably the most popular walking trail in Boston, and for good reasons. Just steps away from downtown, this green pearl meanders along the blue Charles River, with sailboats darting across, tour boats plowing their trade, and people just enjoying themselves, picnicking, reading, running, biking, or walking.
You can opt for an easy walk up the river on the Boston side and maybe cross over to the Fenway area, or you can be more ambitious and do the loop, crossing over to the Cambridge side on one of the bridges, and then head east along the river to the Museum of Science and back to the Esplanade.
Jamaica Pond
Jamaica Pond is a glacial kettle lake with great natural beauty, and there is a popular walking or running trail that takes you around the lake. The trail is surrounded by a natural landscape of mature trees and shrubs. Sailboats criss-cross the lake, and you can rent one at the boathouse. The fields above the Sugar Bowl are the perfect place for a picnic. The lake is stocked with fish, and permits are available at the boathouse.
Fresh Pond Cambridge
Fresh Pond is a small kettle-hole lake left behind from glacial times, and it has been used as an ice-making operation since the 19th century. Today, it is a wonderful park and a water reservoir for the city of Cambridge. Circling around the pond is a pretty walking trail that is mostly protected from the street and very kid-friendly and dog-friendly.
