Rocky Woods Loop

The trails at Rocky Woods can be traveled in any direction. This loop begins at the main parking area off Hartford Street and heads north toward the Chickering Pond Trail. Here, you'll find the Visitor's Center and restrooms. Turn right at the pond (east) to continue on the Chickering Pond Trail, passing the Noanet Trail on the right. At the next intersection (4), turn right for the short and sweet climb to the Cedar Hill Overlook and its rewarding viewpoint. Retrace your steps back to intersection 4 and turn right (west) to continue in the counterclockwise direction of this loop. After a hundred feet or so, turn right onto the Ridge Trail. This trail is part of the yellow-blazed loop, which is made up of multiple trails. Begin this climb with the option to explore a short spur on the left for another viewpoint. Continue heading southwest on the yellow-blazed section of the Ridge Trail, until you arrive at intersection 7. Here, turn right toward intersection 8, as you head toward the western boundary of the reservation on the Wilson Swamp Trail (staying to the right at intersection 8). This section is blazed in blue. The Wilson Swamp Trail bends to the southwest along the border of the reservation with a nice, flat grade. At intersection 10, turn left to continue onto Cheney Pond Trail, which is also part of the blue-blazed loop. At intersection 13, you have the opportunity to turn left onto the blue-blazed section of the Ridge Trail toward June Pond. However, this loop hike continues south to intersection 14 where it begins the return stretch eastward on the East and West Trail and Echo Pond Trail. Back at intersection 1, turn right to return to the gatehouse and main parking area.

A notable area for being split between the Charles River watershed and the Neponset River watershed.