January-June 2025 (and beyond) AMC and other Local Walks/Hikes
updated Wednesday, February 5, 2025 6:25 PM

For further information, send e-mail to Robert Winters at Robert@rwinters.com.

Calendar Grid here

Sat, Jan 11, 2025. Arlington Hill Walk.
9:45am-1:15pm. Brisk 6-mile hike/walk up steep hills and through conservation areas including Hospital Hill, Arlington Heights Hill, Jason Heights, and Menotomy Rocks Park with 700-800 total vertical feet planned and multiple views of the Boston skyline. Bring lunch, water, and sturdy footwear. Meet by reflecting pool in small park between town hall and the library between 730 and 700 Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington Center (free street parking on Maple Street and Academy Street behind pool and to right of town hall). Rain/snow cancels. No dogs. L Marc Hurwitz

Sat, Jan 18, 2025. Ponkapoag Pond, Canton.
11:00am-2:00pm. Moderate pace 5 mile walk, through the forest and around Ponkapoag Pond, with lots of different kinds of views along the way. Begin with pleasant stroll across the golf course, on a maple tree walkway. Enjoy sit-down break on the dock at the AMC Ponkapoag Camp. Much of the walk is on dirt roads. Walk followed by dinner/social hour at nearby Irish restaurant “The Hillside Pub”, at around 2:00pm. Meet 11:00am at Ponkapoag Golf Course parking lot. From Route 93/128, exit 2A, take Route 138 South for 0.7 mile. See Ponkapoag Golf Course parking lot on left. L Brian Connolly

Sat, Jan 18, 2025. Gibbet Hill and Scarlet Hill, Groton.
9:45am-12:15pm. Brisk 4-mile hike with some steep sections, including sweeping views of mountains and more from two open summits. Bring snack, water, poles, and sturdy footwear (also consider bringing traction devices, though likely not needed). Meet in the back of the Gibbet Hill Grill parking lot on Rt. 40 (61 Lowell Road), just east of the center of Groton. From Rt. 3, take Rt. 40 (Exit 86) west 9 mi. then right into lot. From Groton Center, take Rt. 40 east from Rt. 119 0.3 mi. then left into lot. Rain/Snow cancels. No dogs. (Show-and-go - you do not have to register for this.) L Marc Hurwitz

Sat, Jan 18, 2025. Walden Pond. [BWMG]
10:30am to 12:00pm. We will walk around Walden Pond and into the woods on some nearby trails to extend the walk to 1.5 hours. Please note that dogs are not allowed on this trail. Parking is $8 (unless you have a pass), so you may want to find free parking nearby and carpool to Walden Pond. Please leave a comment if you would like to offer or request a ride/carpool. L Greg McColm

Mon, Jan 20, 2025. Middlesex Fells. [BWMG]
If you are not working this MLK Day, join me for a walk in the Middlesex Fells! We will walk on the fire roads over to the reservoir. L Greg McColm

Fri, Jan 24, 2025. Charles River Waltham to Watertown. [BWMG] 1:00pm-2:30pm. Join us for a 1.5 hour walk along the Charles River from Waltham towards Watertown. This is a paved trail with many nice viewpoints on the river. L Greg McColm

Sat, Jan 25, 2025. Neponset River Greenway/Mattapan Sq/Milton Hill.
7.5-mile walk along Neponset River to Mattapan Square on newly opened stretch of Neponset Greenway then to Hutchinson Field in Milton 9:30am-2:00pm. Bring lunch and water. Meet at Hallet Street entrance to Pope John Paul II Park. From Route 93N, take exit 11 (11B from Route 93S) to Granite Avenue, north over Neponset River, immediate right on Hilltop Street, right under bridge into parking lot. L Mike Tuohey

Sat, Feb 1, 2025. Rock Circuit Trail, Middlesex Fells, Medford.
9:45am-1:15pm. Brisk 4- to 5-mile hike on a rugged loop trail with AMC Boston Local Walks & Hikes, including some steep sections and multiple views of the Boston skyline, the ocean, and surrounding area from various ledges and peaks. (Note: The route may be changed depending on how slippery the trails are.) Bring lunch/snack, water, poles, and sturdy footwear (also consider bringing traction devices, though probably not needed unless we get snow Friday night). Meet in the DCR Flynn Rink parking lot in Medford, as far away from the rink as possible. From Route 93, exit 24 in Medford, take Fellsway West (Route 28) north 0.5 miles; right on Elm Street, 0.5mi.; left at rotary; left at rink. Bus 99 from Wellington T station. L Marc Hurwitz

Sat, Feb 8, 2025. Walden Woods, Concord.
11:00am-2:00pm. Moderate pace 5 mile walk along flat dirt roads, across grassy meadows, and through a hemlock forest. We are going down to Codman farm, to visit lamas, goats and pigs. We will follow a wooded trail to a beautiful, secluded pond. Walking on a country road, will lead us to a horse farm. There is a Donelan’s Market next to the parking lot, where we meet. They have outdoor tables and chairs. After the walk, at around 2:00pm, please join us for a lunch from Donelan’s (deli counter, sandwiches, bakery rolls, fruit and vegetables). Meet 11:00am, at Lincoln Train Station commuter parking lot (drive to back of the lot, you will see us - parking is free on weekends). Directions: From Route 2, take Route 126 South for 2 miles. Turn left on Codman Road, follow to end. Turn left, see Train Station on left. L Brian Connolly

Sat, Feb 8, 2025. Ponkapoag Pond (Blue Hills), Canton.
Moderate-paced 5-mi. hike to pond, campsite, hidden boardwalk through bog, and more, 9:45am-1:00pm. Bring lunch/snack, water, sturdy footwear, poles, and also consider bringing traction devices if there is snow on the ground. From Rt. 93/128 exit 2A, take Rt. 138 S 0.7 mi. to Ponkapoag Golf Course lot on L. Steady rain/snow cancels. No dogs. (NOTE: This is a show-and-go hike; you do not have to register for this.) Ls Marc Hurwitz, Mike Tuohey

Sat, Feb 22, 2025. Crane Beach and Sand Dunes, Ipswich.
11:00am-2:00pm. Moderate pace 5 mile walk, across scenic sand dunes, and along the ocean beach. Beautiful desert landscapes, include a pitch pine forest, with views of Essex Bay and Hog Island. Herring gulls soar overhead, while piping plovers scurry across the sand. Walk followed by dinner/social hour at Woodman’s Seafood Restaurant, in nearby Essex, at around 2:00pm. The Essex River salt marsh is behind Woodman’s. There are picnic tables. If the weather is nice, we will eat outside. Meet 11:00am, at Crane Beach parking lot (Note: There is a parking fee). From Route 128, exit 14 in Gloucester, take Route 133 West for 5 miles. Turn right on Northgate Road. Then, turn right on Argilla Road, follow to beach. L Brian Connolly

Special designations:
C = Conservation program
F = Great for first timers in activity area
N = New members especially welcome