Whipple Hill Loop

Wind through this protected parcel of woodland surrounding Whipple Hill past a seasonal stream, mature hardwoods, and exposed rock faces. The trails are marked with color-coded arrows for easy navigation with approximate distances to popular and helpful destinations. For this loop hike, start at the Summer Street parking area in the south and head north on the ACROSS Lexington trail toward junction 17. Turn left (west) onto the red-blazed Geology Loop (Red) to begin the ascent toward the summit of Whipple Hill. When the leaves are down, the higher you get can afford nice views toward the Boston skyline to the southeast and Mount Wachusett to the west. From the rocky summit, continue north toward the access trail for the Winchester parking area (Johnson Rd Access) before taking a hard right turn at the northern entry point onto the ACROSS Lexington trail down toward the vernal pool and Locke Pond, with Wright Locke Farm beyond it. At junction 9, head left (east) onto the Farm/Wetland Loop (Yellow) around Locke Pond, staying right at all junctions including number 10 for a brief connector toward junction 6 and the main trail thoroughfare to the left (southwest) back toward the main parking area. This stretch will be blazed in blue and yellow for the ACROSS Lexington trail and Farm/Wetland Loop (Yellow).