1. Spot Pond
There are a few different trails that give you access to Spot Pond. The two places I tend to park is Flynn Rink on Woodland Road and Straw Point off Main Street. Either of these parking lots will take you to a trailhead that takes you alongside Spot Pond. If I park at Flynn Rink, I liked to walk Max from the skating rink to Botume House visitor center and back. There are plenty of access points along the trail to let your dog take a dip in Spot Pond.
2. Wright’s Pond
Wright’s Pond parking lot is only open during the summer because the beach parking is open. Otherwise, I typically park at my brother’s house and walk over. It is about a 2 mile loop around the entire pond. There is also access to other Middlesex Fells Reservation trails along the route if you wanted a longer hike. The trail offers beautiful views of the pond and there are several spots Max likes to jump in to cool off. Of note, there is one section of the trail that runs alongside a bog and in the spring the bog can pool over and cause a muddy, sometimes under water section of the trail. You will find dogs (sometimes off leash) on the beach during the off season months. These are typically locals who walk their dogs from the neighboring streets.
3. Wright’s Tower
Elizur Wright’s Tower is located via a short hike from the parking lot at Bellevue Pond. A short, but steep hike up to the tower will bring you a view of the city of Boston. Sometimes Max will then take a dip in Bellevue Pond! Do be careful around the tower, as there is quite a lot of broken glass from beer bottles.
4. Sheepfold Dog Park
Sheepfold Dog Park is a very large, open field in Middlesex Fells Reservation. While technically located in Stoneham, it is right on the Medford line. There are numerous trails surrounding the field and three large reservoirs nearby in “the Fells.” The rules are that dogs must be on-leash on the trails, but can be off leash in the field, and that no dogs or humans are allowed to swim in the reservoirs. However, I will tell you that in reality the majority of the dogs are also off leash on the trails and swim in the reservoir. The locals told me that in the summer there is a park ranger that occasionally drives down the main trail in a truck and tells people to put their dog on leash. I never came across him and we frequented Sheepfold often. This place is like dog heaven. This is absolutely Max’s favorite place to hike. Do be careful, as trails are not well labeled and it is easy to get lost in the maze of Middlesex Fells Reservation. Even just an hour here leaves Max exhausted and ready for a nap. The network of trails in “The Fells” cross between Stoneham, Winchester, and Medford.
5. Torbert MacDonald Park
Torbert MacDonald Park is less of a hike and more of a nature walk through a park. The “trail” is flat and paved. Still, it is a beautiful park located on the Mystic Valley Parkway. Max always has fun chasing the geese and climbing up the tower to view the Mystic River. There is also a small dock that looks over the river.
