CHESTNUT HILL RESERVATION:
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: May 14, 2023
Length: Chestnut Hill Reservation Loop Trail; 1.7 mile Loop
Difficulty: Easy. Flat stone-dust trail.
Directions:
To Start from the Beacon Street parking lot; From the intersection of Route 9 and Chestnut Hill Ave head north on Chestnut Hill Ave to Beacon St and turn left. The parking lot is on your right.
The Chestnut Hill Reservation Loop Trail follows atop the Chestnut Hill Reservoir dyke. The reservoir was created in 1870 on existing marshes and meadowland to supplement the city of Boston's water needs. Chestnut Hill Reservoir was taken offline in 1978 as it was no longer needed for regular water supply distribution, but is maintained in emergency backup status. Still largely intact, the waterworks with its three gatehouses at water’s edge and three majestic pump houses on Beacon St is considered a masterpiece of 19th century engineering and landscape design. Both Cochituate and Sudbury Aqueducts are still connected to the Reservoir, but the system has been disabled. For more information visit; CHESTNUT HILL RESERVATION .
Starting from the Beacon Street parking lot; Follow the paved path up to the top of the dyke. Here the wide stone-dust Chestnut Hill Reservation Loop Trail follows atop the Chestnut Hill Reservoir dyke. Heading right you travel around the reservoir with trees along your right. Come alongside Chestnut Hill Driveway after 0.8 miles. Here a paved path travels alongside the stone-dust trail. Right, across the road, is the 1st of 3 stone Gatehouses that you'll pass by. The trail then travels between the reservoir and Beacon St. You lose the paved path as the trail climbs the dyke at 1.2 miles.
Note; Right across beacon St is the beautiful, brownstone METROPOLITAN WATERWORKS MUSEUM . The Chestnut Hill Pumping Station opened in 1887 and was designed by architect Arthur H. Vinal in 1886-1887 and seamlessly expanded by Edmund M. Wheelwright, in 1897-1898. The Waterworks Museum interprets the unique stories of one of the country's first metropolitan water systems through exhibitions and educational programs on engineering, architecture, social history, public health, and Safe Water Access.
Pass by the 2nd & 3rd Gatehouses before completing your 1.7 mile Loop.
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BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT