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From North or South: Take Route 93 to Exit 3, Houghton's Pond. Turn right at the stop sign onto Hillside Street. Houghton's Pond is located approximately 1/4 miles on the right; Continue 1/4 miles to the reservation headquarters on the left.
General Description: The Blue Hills Reservation offers an outdoor recreation oasis only 10 miles south of Boston. The 7,000-acre reservation rises to a height of 635 ft. at the summit of Great Blue Hill. There are scenic views from atop many of the 22 hills of the Blue Hill chain. The Reserve is rich in archeological and historic resources with its 16 historic structures, 50 prehistoric sites, 3 Environmental Study Areas and the Blue Hills Meteorological Observatory, a National Landmark atop Great Blue Hill. Trails take you through various habitats, including upland and bottomland forest, marsh, swamp , pond, meadow and an Atlantic white cedar bog. Some species at home here are coyote, red fox, white-tailed deer, river otter, snowy owl and the rare timber rattlesnake. The Trailside Museum has natural history exhibits and displays of live animals of the Blue Hills. 24 acre Houghton Pond, a spring-fed kettle pond formed by receding glaciers, offers a supervised swimming beach where you can find a bathhouse, restrooms, telephones and a first aid station during the summer season. Other park features include stocked fishing, picnicing and athletic fields and a new Visitor's Center.
The Trails: Stop by park headquarters to pick up the official mountain bike map. About 1/3 of the 7,000 acres are set aside for mountain biking. The extensive, well-maintained and well-marked trail system is located in the Houghton Pond and Great Blue Hill Areas. These areas are shown on the above map. There are very few trails for the beginning mountain biker. Even the carriage roads, which make up the bulk of the trails in the areas open to mountain biking, have sections that are rocky and challenging. There is enough additional singletrack to satisfy the more experienced riders. Up to 100 miles of riding is possible with about 20 of them being very difficult. The short loop around Houghton Pond and Old Rt.128 (paved) are the only really easy rides. Other areas in the reservation may open for easier riding. The doubletrack, for the most part, is not technically challenging but it is very hilly. If you like to do some tough climbing, as we do, and are in good physical condition, then these trails are not that difficult. A good way to sample the trails is to go out on a ride led by either NEMBA (New England Mountain Bike Association), the Friends of Blue Hills, the Blue Hills Trail Watch or the DCR Rangers (DCR MTB Day). Because of safety or environmental concerns some trails may be closed within the mountain bike areas. Please stay off trails marked with “No Bicycle” signs. Ride safely and respect other trail users. A good relationship with the MDC will ensure future access to trails at Blue Hills.
Historical Note : The Blue Hills were so named by early European explorers who, while sailing along the coastline, noticed the bluish hue on the slopes when viewed from a distance. More than ten thousand years before those Europeans arrived, Native Americans made their home in the hills.
For more information: Blue Hills Reservation Phone: (617) 698-1802
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