Walking, Biking, and Canoe Routes

Guided Walks

Each spring and fall, the Conservators sponsor a series of guided walks in Newton parks and conservation areas.

 

Walking Routes

Map of Long Walks and Bike Rides

Walking Trails in Newton's Parks & Conservation Lands

This 56-page booklet by the Newton Conservators describes things to see and do in 30 Newton conservation areas.

Walks and Bike Rides Along the Charles

Four different walks and bike rides, ranging from 3 to 8 miles, along the Charles in Newton, Watertown, and Waltham

A Walk from the Charles River to Newton Center

A description, with photos, of a 7-mile one-way hike from the Charles River in South Newton to Newton Center. Return is by MBTA bus.

A Walk from Waban to Chestnut Hill

A description, with photos, of a 4.5-mile, one-way hike along the aqueduct and through several parks. Return is by MBTA trolley.

A Loop Along the Aqueducts

A description, with photos, of an 8-mile hike along the Cochituate and Sudbury Aqueducts, starting and ending in Newton Centre. Shorter hikes are also possible.

The Charles River in South Newton

A description, with photos, of a 3-mile walk along the Charles, including Brook Farm and Boston's Millennium Park.

AMC Massachusetts and Rhode Island Trail Guide

This book describes hiking trails in Cutler Park, Webster Conservation Area, and Hemlock Gorge.

WalkBoston: Walking Tours of Boston's Unique Neighborhoods

This book describes walking tours in Boston and many surrounding communities, including three trips in Newton. The Newton walks are Newton Center, Hemlock Gorge and Upper Falls, and the Upper Charles River Reservation (including Charles River Path -- Bemis Dam).

Hammond Pond Walk

An AMC book, Exploring in and around Boston on Bike and Foot, describes a 2-mile walk in Webster Conservation Area.

Hemlock Gorge Walk

Another AMC book, More Nature Walks in Eastern Massachusetts, describes an easy 1-mile walk in Hemlock Gorge.

Historic Walk Brochures

The Newton Planning Department publishes a series of brochures describing historic walks through Newton neighborhoods.

Charles River Link Trail

A 16-mile trail, completed in 2009, begins at the Fyffe Footbridge in Newton Lower Falls and extends through Wellesley, Needham, Natick, Dover, and Medfield. A northern extension into Newton has been proposed.

 

Bike Trips

A Loop Along the Aqueducts

A description, with photos, of an 8-mile ride along the Cochituate and Sudbury Aqueducts, starting and ending in Newton Centre.

Bicycle Tour de Newton

An 18-mile trip that starts and ends at Nahanton Park. Click for more information.

Charles River Bike Path

A 24-mile round trip, mostly on the Charles River Bike Path, from Moody Street in Waltham to the Museum of Science in Boston. The route is described in the book, Bike Paths of Massachusetts, and also on a website.

Newton-Brookline Tours

A 19-mile trip (14 miles without the Brookline extension) that starts and ends at the Riverside MBTA station. The trip is contained in the book, Short Bike Rides in Eastern Massachusetts.

A similar 17-mile trip, also from the Riverside MBTA station, is included in the AMC book, Exploring in and around Boston on Bike and Foot.

Canoe Routes

An AMC book, Exploring the Hidden Charles, gives information about canoing the Charles River.

The Charles River is an out-of-print book, available from online sellers. It also provides information about canoing the Charles River and hiking near its banks. It includes USGS maps of the entire length of the Charles.

Newton Canoe and Kayak Launch Sites

Charles River Canoe & Kayak rental locations