BOULDER BROOK RESERVATION
Loop: 1.6 miles
30-45 min walk
20 min jog – difficult (very steep)
Dog friendly!
Not bike friendly
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*Click the map to access our interactive google map and find out how to get there.
There are at least twelve ways to enter the Boulder Brook Reservation. The most common way to enter is through the Bates parking lot, then walking along the paved path that runs behind the baseball diamond to the footbridge with the Boulder Brook Reservation sign in front of it.
Walk through the meadow and follow the purple arrows into the woods: either continuing straight at the intersection or going right (this one passes Elephant Rock, a nice rock to sit on top of). Both trails come back together near a footbridge.
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Over the brook, keep left at the next two intersections for the easiest way up. (There are a lot of intersecting trails here — they basically all lead up, but we'd recommend taking a look at the map). Then when the path splits again, take a right and hike up along the rocky hillside to Rockytop.
It kind of looks like an elephant..?
A rare occurence: Pfeffer uses the footbridge
Follow Pfeffer up the winding path
A fun way to get up to Rockytop is by climbing the cliff face. To get there, either follow the path over the small hill at the intersection past the brook, or turn right at the following intersection. These trails lead you to the bottom of the cliff. Climb up the crease in the rocks to reach the top.
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From Rocky Top you can see for miles to the southwestern part of Wellesley. Look carefully through the trees to spot Wellesley College’s tower! (Note: this is not an ideal place for a sunrise hike — we tried it once and once we got up there we realized that the view faces southwest, not east).
Probably the best bouldering Wellesley has to offer
Can you see it?
Hydration is key
To complete the loop, continue on the trail going left of the viewpoint and follow it around and down, across another path, to return to the beginning of the loop. Walk back over the footbridge and out through the field.
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On my way out, I saw cardinals bathing in the brook! Keep your eye (and ear) out for the many birds that live around this reservation.
This pretty cardinal was bathing with his wife (not pictured). Cardinals mate for life and stay together year-round.
The Reservation's History
Boulder brook used to be a farm — that's why there are so many rock walls among the trees.
*As always, and especially here, check yourself for ticks after exploring in woods and meadows. Lyme disease is no fun!