QUABBIN RESERVOIR PARK;
BELCHERTOWN/WARE, MASSACHUSETTS
QUABBIN RESERVOIR NORTH;
NEW SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS
QUABBIN RESERVOIR EAST:
PETERSHAM, MASSACHUSETTS
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: May 3, 2025
Letterbox Planted: October 2, 2002
Length: Quabbin Reservoir Park Loop; 9.8 miles
Quabbin Observation Tower Spur; 0.4 miles
Quabbin Reservoir; North; *Millington Road Spur: 2.6 miles
Quabbin Reservoir; North; *Regulating Dam Road-Hager Road-Blackington Road-Old N Dana Road Spurs; 3.6 miles
Quabbin Reservoir; North; *Rabbit Run Rail Bed; 2.5 miles
Quabbin Reservoir; North; *Round trip along all Spurs; 17.4 miles
Quabbin Reservoir; East; Old Petersham Road to Dana Common; 1.8 miles
Quabbin Reservoir; East; Old Greenwich Dana Road Spur; 2 ½ miles
Quabbin Reservoir; East; Old Skinner Hill Road Spur; 1.9 miles
Quabbin Reservoir; East; Pottapaug Pond Spur; 1 mile
Difficulty: Quabbin Reservoir Park Loop; Moderate to Difficult. Hilly paved park road (shared with vehicles, but very slow traffic). Not recommended for small kids because of the steep hills. On-road section along Route 9 if you wish to complete a Loop.
Not recommended for inexperienced bikers as there is little shoulder along Route 9.
Quabbin Reservoir; North; Millington Road Spur: Easy. Flat, old paved road.
Quabbin Reservoir; North; Regulating Dam Road & Hager Road Spurs; Moderate. Mostly flat with a few slight hills along a hard packed dirt & gravel road.
Quabbin Reservoir; North; Blackington Road Spur; Easy. Flat hard packed dirt & gravel road with some old paved sections.
Quabbin Reservoir; North; Rabbit Run Rail Bed; Easy. Flat, old paved road, hard packed dirt & gravel sections.
Quabbin Reservoir; East; Old Petersham Road Spur; Easy. Relatively flat, old paved road.
Quabbin Reservoir; East; Old Greenwich Dana Road Spur; Moderate. Old paved & gravel road with a slight hill.
Quabbin Reservoir; East; Old Skinner Hill Road Spur; Moderate. Old paved & gravel road with a long hill climb.
Quabbin Reservoir; East; Pottapaug Pond Spur; Easy. Relatively flat, old broken paved road.
Directions:
Starting from Quabbin Park Visitor Center for Quabbin Reservoir Park [Southern End]; Take exit 63 off of I-90 (Mass Pike) to Route 32 north and continue 8 miles to the town of Ware. Turn left on Route 9 and follow west for 7 miles. Turn right at the green sign marked "Quabbin Reservoir - Winsor Dam" (Note: This will be the second green sign on your right) and follow to the parking lot.
For Quabbin Reservoir; North; Take exit 63 off of I-90 (Mass Pike) to Route 32 north and continue for about 13 miles to the intersection of Route 32A. Bear left on Route 32A and follow to Route 122. Turn left and follow Route 122.
To start;1 from Gate 35 [Eastern Center Section]; Travel about 4 miles along Route 122 and turn left on Old Petersham Rd. Take your next left along Old N Dana Rd and follow to Gate 35.
To start from Gate 30 [Northern End]; Travel about 7 miles along Route 122 and turn left for the Gate 30 parking area. This is directly opposite Orange Rd and just shy of Route 202.
For Quabbin Reservoir; East; Take exit 63 off of I-90 (Mass Pike) to Route 32 north and continue for about 13 miles to the intersection of Route 32A. Bear left on Route 32A and continue for about 8.5 to 9 miles until you pass first, Gate 41 on your left and then come to a road on your left to a parking area near Gate 40 [Northeastern End].
Quabbin Reservoir is one of the largest man-made public water supplies in the United States. Created in the 1930s by the construction of two huge earthen dams, the reservoir is fed by the three branches of the Swift River, and seasonally by the Ware River. Quabbin Reservoir was built between 1926 and 1939 and flooded 39 square miles of land. A 60 mile pipeline and aqueduct delivers water to the Boston area. Because this is MDC land, dogs are not allowed. Portable toilets are located along the roads because this is part of the watershed. Four towns were abandoned from the area, including the town of Dana, which is where the Quabbin Reservoir; East trail is located, which travels along the Eastern Side of the reservoir. The Quabbin Reservoir Park Loop Trail is located along the Southern End of the reservoir and follows park roads and travels over two dams (closed to traffic). It includes a long steep accent and descent, along with an on-road section along Route 9 in order to complete a Loop. If you don't feel comfortable traveling along this high speed road you may simply double back through the park. The Quabbin Reservoir; North is located at the Northern End of the Reservoir. For more information visit; QUABBIN RESERVOIR .
Quabbin Reservoir Park:
Starting from Quabbin Park Visitor Center [Southern End]; The Visitor Center has some interesting pictures of before & after this area was flooded. A restroom is also located here. After checking out the Visitor Center head right, North, past the poles & gate and travel over Windsor Dam, which is closed to traffic. The dam is 2600' long. Turn right and travel across the spillway, then past the gate to Quabbin Hill Rd. Turn left and travel on-road along this park road (low volume/low speed traffic). You'll follow alongside the 400 ' long Windsor Dam Spillway and past a boat launch for the State Police/DRC at about a mile. Here begins the strenuous park of your trek, a long assent up Quabbin Hill. You may catch your breath at Windsor Memorial Park where you'll find an overlook of the dam & reservoir along with benches and picnic tables. Continuing your climb the road now heads inland and brings you to another overlook at mile 2. Keep an eye on the horizon and there's a good chance of spotting a lumbering military transport plane making a banking turn towards Westover AFB. Continue uphill to a rotary at 2.2 miles where the road tops out.
Note; If you head right, Southeast and travel uphill a bit more this road will bring you to the Quabbin Observation Tower after 0.4 miles. A large restroom is located just below the stone tower that you may climb to the top for fantastic 360 degree views.
Travel around the rotary and begin your descent down Quabbin Hill Rd. You'll come to Enfield Lookout at 2.6 miles with more views of the reservoir and its islands. Here the trail turns East. The trail finally levels off after 3.2 miles as it passes by Hanks Meadow. Here the road is referred to as Old Ware-Enfield Rd. After passing Brown's Field you'll come alongside the reservoir with views of Goodnough Dike as the trail travels South. At 4.7 miles you come to an intersection. Turn left and travel past the gate to another road closed to vehicles. Bear left at an intersection and you'll soon be crossing East, over the 2140' long Goodnough Dike. You reach the end of the dam at 5.2 miles where you encounter Gate 50. Turn right and follow the road West, back below the dam before another steep assent returns you to Old Ware-Enfield Rd after 6.5 miles.
Note; If you wish to avoid Looping back via Route 9, turn back here and retrace your route to the Visitor Center.
Continuing South, along Old Ware-Enfield Rd you'll come to Route 9 at 7.4 miles. Turn right and travel West, on-road.
Note; You can check out the Quabbin Park Cemetery across the road.
There is no shoulder to speak of along Route 9 and you face a bit of a hill right off. As you pass by a pond on your right, look up to spot the Quabbin Observation Tower. After cresting your final hill, as you travel downhill you'll come to a sign at 8.6 miles reading "Windsor Dam Entrance". Turn right and follow Windsor Dam Rd back into the park. You return to the spillway and cross back over Windsor Dam to the Visitor Center after a 9.8 mile Loop.
Quabbin Reservoir; North:
I list the Mileages along each individual Segment, along with the [Total Miles] I've ridden from and too Gate 30:
Millington Road Spur:
Starting from Gate 30 [Northern End]; The trail follows Millington Road Spur South and consists of old blacktop but is fairly smooth. The terrain is wooded and generally flat. After 0.6 miles you'll come to an Intersection with a Map Board and Porto-Potty (you'll find Porto-Potty's scattered all through the reservoir).
Note; Right takes you North, out to Gate 29 and Route 202.
Continue left along a more open road. Come to an *Intersection at 1 mile.
Note; Left, East, the Regulating Dam Road Spur starts here. See Below.
Continue straight, South, passing underneath a transmission line before a slight hill brings you up to another intersection at 1.7 miles (Marker 29-3). Bear right along the road past a couple more spurs (Markers 29-4 & 29-5) as the road takes you around Rattlesnake Hill and down to the Reservoir at 2.6 miles. Peaceful & isolated spot looking out over the reservoir. Return North back to the *Intersection.
Regulating Dam Road-Hager Road-Blackington Road-Old N Dana Road Spurs:
Continuing from the *Intersection of Millington Road & Regulating Dam Road Spur; [Re-zeroing Mileage] Travel East, down the hard packed dirt and gravel Regulating Dam Road Spur and across a causeway with a small marsh to your left as the road turns South. Some slight hills along this road which brings you down alongside the reservoir and across a couple of causeways. Cross a bridge over a small dam and pass through the Wetmore Fishing Area & Boat Launch parking area at 1.2 miles [5.4 miles]. Restrooms are located here.
Note; Left takes you North, out the entrance road past Loughlin Pond and Gate 31 to Route 122 after 0.5 miles.
Continuing along Regulating Dam Road Spur, head out the entrance road to an Intersection and turn right past Marker 31-3 along the hard packed dirt Hager Road Spur. Travel through the woods around Fairview Hill and up and over a slight hill to the Intersection with the Blackington Road Spur (Marker 33-1) at 2 miles [6.2 miles].
Note; The Hager Road Spur continues straight, East, along a hard packed dirt road out to Gate 34 and Old N Dana Rd at 0.9 miles. Left takes you North, along Blackington Road Spur out Gate 33 to Route 122 after 0.6 miles.
Turn right along the scenic Blackington Road Spur which travels South, alongside Basset Pond, then through the woods and underneath the transmission lines before you come to an **Intersection at 2.8 miles with Old N Dana Road. Continue straight, South, along the old road for fantastic views of the Reservoir at 3 miles [7.2 miles]. A small sandy beach located here along with a Porto-Potty. Return North, back to the **Intersection. Head East, along Old N Dana Road and you'll travel underneath some transmission lines before coming to an Intersection at the Gate 35 parking lot after 3.6 miles [7.8 miles]. Right is the start of the Rabbit Run Rail Bed. See Below.
Note; Old N Dana Road continues North, out to Route 122 after 1 mile.
Rabbit Run Rail Bed:
In 1869, the Athol-Enfield
Railroad was created through the Swift River Valley. This section of track,
known as the Swift River Branch, was built from Athol through the Valley
to Belchertown. The railroad was sold to the Metropolitan District Water
Supply Commission in 1935 before the Quabbin Reservoir was created
and was immediately dismantled. See; RABBIT
RUN RR HISTORY .
From Gate 35 the Rabbit Run Rail Bed travels South, past a Map Board. [Re-zeroing Mileage] The old road alternates between asphalt and hard packed dirt and gravel. After passing underneath the transmission lines the road travels alongside the Reservoir. You'll travel past an old fire tower? at 1.7 miles and come to the end of he road as it disappears into the Reservoir at 2.5 miles [10.3 miles].
Looping back to Gate 30:
Note; [Re-zeroing Mileage] After returning North, back to Gate 35 [12.8 miles] you have the option of traveling North, on-road, along Old N Dana Road (residential). When you reach the intersection with Old Petersham Rd on your right after 0.7 miles, look left to spot a dirt & grass path (next to an old green sign reading Hager Road). Travel down this narrow overgrown two-tracked path. When the path turns right you continue straight (don't worry the trail improves). You cross a causeway and pass by Gate 34. Here the Hager Road Spur widens and improves. Continue straight past a spur down to South Spectacle Pond. Travel across a culvert and you'll return to the Blackington Road Spur after 1.6 miles [14.4 miles]. Continue straight along the Hager Road Spur back to Wetmore Fishing Area & Boat Launch parking lot, then back along Regulating Dam Road Spur to the Old Millington Road Spur. Finally, right back to Gate 30 for a [17.4 miles] round trip.
Quabbin Reservoir; East:
Old Petersham Road Spur:
Starting from Gate 40 [Northeastern End]; The trail follows the Old Petersham Road Spur Southwest, to Dana Common along an old paved road. The road is relatively flat and in fairly good condition, with some pot holes. Heading up the road you pass by a Porto-Potty and then a wood gate house. After 1 ½ miles, pass a road on your left that takes you a short distance down to the northern tip of Pottapaug Pond. After 1.8 miles you enter the Common of the old town of Dana. A Granite Marker located on the old Common tells its history as a town from 1801 to 1938. If you explore the woods around this area you will see the old foundations of a general store, town hall, schoolhouse, church and 15 room hotel.
For the Letterbox; From the Granite Marker, take a compass reading of 181 degrees and
go to a small paved road that leads into the woods. As you walk down this road,
an old cobblestone foundation will be to your left.
From the Granite Marker you may access 3 Spur Trails:
The Pottapaug Pond Spur; Road is in the worst shape, but passable. From the Granite Marker take the road to the left of the Mile Marker for 0.1 miles and turn left South, down another old road. After 1 mile the road disappears into Pottapaug Pond. Up to your left is a nice Pine forest that makes a good rest stop.
The Old Greenwich Dana Road Spur; Is partly paved and partly gravel with a moderate hill to climb and descend. From the Granite Marker take the road to the left of the Mile Marker and go straight Southwest. After a ½ mile there will be a large marsh on your right, which you will eventually cross over and head up a small hill to a clearing where some logging is taking place. You then descend down to the Quabbin Reservoir and reach another Porto-Potty after 2 miles. This Porto-Potty is actually used for boaters to come ashore to use. If you go down to the waters edge, you'll see a floating marker for the Porto-Potty. When we were here, the water level was low and you could see the old stone walls heading out into the Reservoir. Continuing down the road, keep to the right on pavement as you pass a gravel road to your left. After 2½ miles the road disappears into the Reservoir.
The Old Skinner Hill Road Spur; Is also partly paved and partly gravel, but has the smoothest surface. It also is the most strenuous, with a long gradual ascent and then a steep descent down to the reservoir. From the Granite Marker take the road to the right of the Mile Marker West. Keep to the paved road as you pass by a gravel road on your right. After a ¼ mile, you begin a mile long, gradual ascent up a hill. After cresting out you descend down the steeper back side of the hill, encountering Dead Mans Curve along the way. Just past this curve is Echo Lane. Give a yell and see for yourself. The road ends after 1.9 miles at Graves Landing, named for a former Conservation Officer. There is a granite marker to your right. The old road continues through the Reservoir, which we could follow for a ways, because of the drought conditions and ends at the water just before reaching Leveau Island. There were a lot of Geese in this part of the Reservoir.
HH
CLICK HERE FOR QUABBIN RESERVOIR PARK MAP
CLICK HERE FOR QUABBIN RESERVOIR; EAST MAP
CLICK HERE FOR QUABBIN RESERVOIR; NORTH MAP
LETTERBOX LAST VERIFIED ON
APRIL 14, 2020
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