Enjoy some exercise, fresh air and cool fall weather at one of these destinations for great Boston area hiking
Franklin Park (1 Franklin Park Rd., 617-635-4505, boston.gov/parks/franklin-park): The Frederick Law Olmsted-designed link in the famed Emerald Necklace offers wooded trails along with a zoo, athletic fields and a golf course.
Arnold Arboretum: The 281-acre, Harvard University-run botanical garden also boasts pathways to wander amongst as well as guided tours and a handful of hills offering scenic views of the city.
Boston Nature Center & Wildlife Sanctuary (500 Walk Hill St., Mattapan, 617-983-8500, massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/boston-nature-center): Operated by Mass Audubon, this educational center allows visitors to perambulate through habitats teeming with natural beauty.
Blue Hills Reservation (695 Hillside St., Milton, 617-698-1802, mass.gov/locations/blue-hills-reservation, pictured): This vast wilderness to the south of the Hub features 125 miles of trails of all types and the 635-foot Great Blue Hill, and even houses a ski area and a natural history museum.
Middlesex Fells Reservation (4 Woodland Rd., Stoneham, 617-727-5380, mass.gov/locations/middlesex-fells-reservation): Intersecting several suburbs just north of Boston, the 2,575-acre Fells offers a variety of terrain to traverse, along with landmarks like the Cascades waterfall and Wright’s Tower with 360-degree views of the surrounding area.
Lynn Woods Reservation (106 Pennybrook Rd., Lynn, 781-477-7123, lynnma.gov/departments/lynnwoods.shtml): Much like the Fells, this pristine, 2,200-acre parkland hosts paths for both beginners and experts, as well as a golf course, ponds, ocean views and the mysterious Dungeon Rock.
