- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Ward Reservation
50 Prospect Rd
Andover, MA 01810
(978) 682-3580
Andover, MA 01810
(978) 682-3580
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
3 reviews for Ward Reservation
These are very easygoing trails that are good for families, for dog-walkers, for bikers and for cross-country skiers...as well as your average visitor. There's neat stuff to see along the way - the highlights being the Solstice Stones on Holt Hill, Holt Hill's great view of Boston, the Pine Hole Bog and the stone fences that run near all the paths and demarcate old property lines. There are several trails, and it gets a little confusing when they all run into each other but the sign posts are pretty good about orienting you.
The Pine Hole Bog is particularly neat - there is a wooden pathway that takes you deep into the bog with laminated self-guides available at the beginning to take you through the concentric rings of vegetation.
It's a very pleasant day out - nothing spectacular but pretty and relaxing. Also - please note that there are a lot of Deer Ticks in this area. We found two in our car on the way home. It's actually noted in the Ward's website as well - if you go here, wear bug repellent with DEET.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
Absolutely fantastic place to hike. Great for kids as well.
You must visit the 420-foot Holt Hill (highest point in Essex County), as on a clear day you can see the Boston city skyline!
There are a total of 13 miles of trails, so you can make the day as long or as short as you want.
This also is a popular place to cross country ski in the winter.
Check it out, you won't be disappointed!
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
Great place to go and walk and experience a wide variety of environments (swamp, quaking bog, forest, meadow). There are a couple of cool features associated with this reservation that make it more special than others.
1) Holt Hill is the highest point in Essex County and provides a lovely view of Boston. The story goes that when the fighting started in the Boston area for the American Revolution, Andoverites went to the top of this hill and were able to see some of the fighting.
2) There is a fire tower up here. Totally caught me off guard the first time I went.
3) The solstice stones at the top of Holt Hill are awesome! They are inlaid into the ground and have the points of a compass and also the positions of the solstices and equinoxes
Just be careful as there are a crapload of mosquitos here and Andover has had triple-E recordings in the not so distant past (Like, last year)
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)