Newton Conservators
 
 

Long Walk or Bike Ride

Along the Charles River Walkway
Loop from Watertown Square to Blue Heron Bridge

 

This loop walk or bike ride is about 3 miles long. It covers the area described on this page and shown on this trail map. All of the route is on the Riverwalk.

You can start the walk at any point along the loop. The description below starts from Bridge Street. Parking is available on the side streets parallel to Bridge Street.

See this page for descriptions of longer trips along the Charles.

     
 

Larger map

 Printable trail map  

Printable map and directions

     
Boston Globe map    
Begin at the corner of Bridge Street and California Street. Cross Bridge Street at the traffic light and walk west on the sidewalk of California Street.  
     
Enter the Riverwalk.  
     

Continue on the south side of the Charles to the Blue Heron Bridge, which opened in 2004.

This trip turns back now. If you wish to take a much longer walk or ride to Moody Street in Waltham, consult this guide.

 
     
Retrace your steps to where the path ends on California Street.  
     
Follow the heron footprints on the sidewalk, turning left across the Bridge Street bridge. Walk past the site of the Bemis Dam.  
     
Cross the street and enter the Riverwalk.  
     
If you have a much longer trip in mind, you can follow the signs for the East Coast Greenway, which eventually will lead from Maine to Florida.  
     
Bear right onto a dirt path as the trail approaches a swimming pool.  
     

The walkway ends at Galen Street in Watertown Square. Turn right to cross the river.

If you're in the mood for more, the Paul Dudley White Bike Path extends from here to the Science Museum in downtown Boston.

 
     

After you cross the bridge, turn right on the sidewalk of California Street.

 
     
Cross a footbridge over Laundry Brook.  
     
Continue along the edge of Allison Park.  
     
Walk past Post 440, the home of the Conservators annual meeting, and also of the Friday Newton farmers' market.  
     
Return to your starting point at Bridge Street.  
     

 

 
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