CUTLER PARK RESERVATION TRAILS:
NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS
CHARLES RIVER PATH:
NEEDHAM-NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: August 13, 2024
Length: Carriage Path Loop; 1.7 mile Loop
Powell's Island Loop; 2.4 mile Loop
Carriage Path & Powell's Island Loops; 4.1 mile Loop
Charles River Path; Needham Section; 0.5 miles
Charles River Path; Newton Section; 0.5 miles
Difficulty: Carriage Path Loop; Easy. Flat, hard packed gravel trail.
Powell's Island Loop; Moderate. Mostly flat, narrow, hard packed dirt trail. Some tree roots.
Charles River Path; Needham Section; Easy. Flat, paved trail.
Charles River Path; Newton Section; Moderate. Narrow, hard packed dirt trail w/some tree roots.
Directions:
Starting from the Kendrick Street parking lot [Northern End]; From I-95 take exit 35A to Highland Ave heading west. Take your first Left on Hunting Rd. Turn left on Kendrick St. Just past 3rd Ave on your left will be a parking lot on your right for Cutler Park.
The 700 acre Cutler Park Reservation comprises the largest remaining fresh water marsh on the middle Charles River. Located in Needham and Dedham, the marsh and small lake attract over 100 species of birds. A hard packed dirt & gravel Carriage Path Loops around Kendrick Pond and is suitable for all bikes. The Powell's Island Loop is a hard packed dirt trail suitable for Mt bikes that spurs off the Carriage Path. The Blue Heron Trail utilizes both of these trails along with varies other paths (including Millennium Park & the Helen Heyn Riverway) to create a Complete Loop around the park. However, the trail conditions vary widely with some sections no more then narrow hiking paths full of roots, on-road sections and a narrow boardwalk through the marsh. Because of this I recommend only experienced Mt bikers attempt it. I rode it and regretted most of it. I don't include it here as it is a very confusing route and not of interest to most multi-use trail users. However, the route is shown on Map 1 below. For more information visit; CUTLER PARK RESERVATION and BLUE HERON TRAIL .
There is also a short section of the Charles River Path, that may be accessed from the Kendrick Street parking lot. See; Charles River Bikeway & Wellesley Trails for more sections of the Charles River Path, along the Charles River Reservation, that travels from downtown Boston to West Roxbury.
Carriage Path Loop:
Starting from the Kendrick Street parking lot [Northern End]; A Map Board is located near the Eastern entrance to the parking lot. Travel past the granite stone posts for the Charles River Reservation and you'll come to the Carriage Path. Head left, East, past the blue gate along the wide, hard packed gravel Carriage Path (part of the Blue Heron Trail). As the trail turns South, Kendrick Lake is a bit obscured by reeds along the Eastern Side. The trail softens a bit as you travel through a Pine tree forest. Come to an *Intersection after 0.7 miles.
Note; Straight, South, takes you along the Blue Heron Trail and Powell's Island Loop; See Below.
Head right, North, back along the Western Side of the lake. After 1.2 miles you'll pass a Spur Trail on your right, which leads to a nice overlook of the Lake. At 1.4 miles the trail surface improves as you travel behind an office building and then the parking lot before returning to the Map Board for a 1.7 mile Loop.
Powell's Island Loop:
The Powell's Island Loop is a rough, hard packed dirt trail with some tree roots, but is suitable for Mt bikes. From the Carriage Path *Intersection; [Re-zeroing Mileage] The hard packed dirt Powell's Island Loop (part of the Blue Heron Trail) travels South. The trail splits in spots but rejoins the main trail. After 0.7 miles you follow a boardwalk, which emerges from the woods, to cross a narrow boardwalk through the marsh traveling East. You'll come to a clearing and **Intersection at 0.9 miles. Continue straight, North, along the narrow path, crossing a couple of small bridges as you circle around Powell's Island before coming to another ***Intersection at 1.5 miles.
Note; Left, South, the Blue Heron Trail continues 1.2 miles out to the Needham Street parking lot. However it is extremely rough with tree roots, wet areas a narrow boardwalk and a tunnel underneath the MBTA Commuter Line.
Head right, North, to Loop back to the **Intersection at 1.6 miles. Then left, West, back to the Carriage Path *Intersection for a 2.4 mile Loop.
Charles River Path; Needham Section:
Starting from the Kendrick Street parking lot [Southern End]; Exit the parking lot to Kendrick St and travel right, East, on-road (sidewalk available across the road) to 4th Ave. Head left down 4th Ave on-road (paved sidewalk available, but low traffic road).
Note; Just past 4th Ave are a pair of granite posts marking the entrance to the Charles River Reservation, however, the trail is no more the a footpath along the river and not suitable for biking.
Keep an eye out to your right as you travel along 4th Ave for stairs leading down to a little picnic area alongside the river. After 0.5 miles the road turns sharply left. Straight ahead is the start of the Charles River Path; Needham Section. On-street parking along 2nd Street located here.
The wide, paved Charles River Path; Needham Section utilizes the old 4th Ave road as you enter the woods. You'll cross over some old RR tracks before coming to Highland Ave after 0.5 miles and the end of the trail.
There is another short section of the Charles River Path across the river in Newton. Head right on-road, across the Charles River to Newton. Turn left on Oak St, then take your second left on Williams St. Come to the Charles River Path after 0.4 miles.
Charles River Path; Newton Section:
Starting from Williams Street in Newton; Map Board here. The narrow, hard packed dirt & gravel Charles River Upper Falls Riverwalk heads Northwest, alongside the river. Mt bike recommended. Come to the base of the old RR bridge after 0.2 miles.
Note; A dirt path with a rope hold leads up to the old rail bed, which has been converted into the Upper Falls Greenway , which was part of the old Bay Colony RR.
A narrow path takes you underneath the old RR bridge. Here, a set of narrow stairs with a rope hold bring you up to the rail trail.
I haven't checked out this next section. The trail continues alongside the river. The trail brings you to the Bobby Braceland Playground Park. Sports fields & courts, playground, parking lot. Map Board located at the corner of Keefe & Pennsylvania Aves, at the Northern End of the park, where the trail ends after 0.5 miles.
HH
CLICK HERE FOR CUTLER PARK RESERVATION MAP
CLICK HERE FOR CUTLER PARK; NEWTON CONSERVATORS MAP
CLICK HERE FOR UPPER FALLS RIVERWALK MAP
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT