Hiking & Walking Trails on Conservation Land in Concord, MA (Part 1)

Bob Wiltse, REALTOR®

June 9, 2025

Concord, Massachusetts, is a Town steeped in history and rich with natural beauty, and there's no better way to explore it than on foot. With over 40 miles of trails winding through woodlands, wetlands, meadows, and historic landscapes, Concord's conservation lands offer residents and visitors an unparalleled opportunity to connect with nature year-round.

A walk through the Hapgood Wright Town Forest

In this first installment of our two-part outdoor series (Part 2 is about bicycle trails), we highlight the many hiking and walking trails maintained by the Town of Concord and the Concord Land Conservation Trust. Whether you're looking for a peaceful woodland stroll, a scenic riverfront path, or a family-friendly loop, there's a trail here for every interest and ability.

🏞️ Town‑Owned Conservation Land Trails

These are managed by the Town's Natural Resources Division and Trails Committee, with official trail maps and guides available.

• Annursnac – Baptist Brook Trail

• Barrett's Mill / Finigan Way Trail

• Emerson–Thoreau Amble

• Harry Beyer Assessed Trail

• Mattison Field Trail

• October Farm Riverfront Trail

• Old Rifle Range Trail

• Powder Mill Woods Trail

• Punkatasset Preserve Trail

• Reformatory Branch Trail

• Rivers Confluence Trail

• Town Forest Trail (also known as Hapgood Wright Town Forest)

• West Concord Park Trail

• Westvale–Harrington Trail

• White Pond Reservation Trail

• Thoreau "Leave No Trace" National Historic Trail

Trail Maps and Guides

🌿 Concord Land Conservation Trust (CLCT) Trails

The CLCT protects over 900 acres and maintains popular properties in collaboration with the Town:

• October Farm Riverfront – river views, canoe house, vernal pools

• Wright Woods – scenic Sudbury River cliffs, stone boathouse, bogs

• Upper Spencer Brook Valley – ravines, multi‑use woodlands

• Hartwell Meadow – open hayfields

• Miller Farm & Garfield Road – historic fields and woodlands

• Hallenbeck Land – bog, meadow, kettlehole pond

• Corey‑Bourquin Field – hayfield habitat

• Gowing's Swamp – glacial bog ecosystem

• Bigelow Woods, Soutter Field & Hubbard Brook Farmfield – meadow and shortcut trails

• Hosmer Land and Mattison Field – eskers, river views, water tower

• Nashawtuc Hill – hilltop loop, floodplain views

Many CLCT properties overlap or connect with Town trails like October Farm and Wright Woods.

CLCT Land and Properties

🌲 Adjacent Regional Conservation and Historic Trails

• Estabrook Woods – over 1,700 acres straddling Concord and Carlisle, with multiple public trails via Town and private easement, including Punkatasset Hill.

• Fairyland Pond / Hapgood Wright Town Forest – known for old growth forest, literary heritage, and kettlehole pond.

• Bay Circuit Trail – a 200‑mile regional loop passing through Concord along the Sudbury River, Walden Pond, Great Meadows, and Minute Man Park.

🗂️ Summary Table of Conservation Trails in Concord

Trail / Area	Features	Trail Guide Available
Annursnac – Baptist Brook	Hilltop views, Karst terrain	✔️
Barrett’s Mill / Finigan Way	Streamside walks	✔️
Emerson–Thoreau Amble	Connects Emerson House & Walden	✔️
Harry Beyer Assessed	Undeveloped woodland	✔️
Mattison Field	Historic water tower, river views	✔️
October Farm Riverfront	Canoe house, riverfront	✔️
Old Rifle Range	Pond and pine woods	✔️
Powder Mill Woods	Old mill site, forest	✔️
Punkatasset Preserve	Hilltop views, Estabrook link	✔️
Reformatory Branch	Old railroad bed trail	✔️
River Confluence	Egg Rock, rivers meeting	✔️
Town Forest (Hapgood Wright)	Fairyland Pond, bogs	✔️
West Concord Park	Urban conservation park	✔️
Westvale–Harrington	Meadowland and woodland	✔️
White Pond Reservation	Pond loops, woodland	✔️
Thoreau Leave No Trace	Historic conservation trail	✔️
Wright Woods (CLCT)	Bog, cliffs, stone boathouse	✔️
Upper Spencer Brook (CLCT)	Ravines, stream corridor	✔️
Hartwell Meadow (CLCT)	Hayfield vistas	✔️
Miller Farm / Garfield (CLCT)	Historic farm fields	✔️
Hallenbeck Land (CLCT)	Kettlehole pond setting	✔️
Gowing’s Swamp (CLCT)	Glacial bog habitat	✔️
Bigelow Woods, Soutter Field, Hubbard Brook (CLCT)	Woods & meadows	✔️
Hosmer Land & Mattison (CLCT)	Eskers, tower, river	✔️
Nashawtuc Hill (CLCT)	Hilltop panorama	✔️
Estabrook Woods	Extensive multi-owner forest	✔️
Bay Circuit Trail (regional)	Long-distance loop	✔️

🧭 Planning Tips

• Maps & Guides: These are available as PDFs on the Town's Trails & Maps page and individual conservancy sites.

• Trail Access: Most have parking at trailhead lots; check maps for locations.

• Conditions & Regulations: Conservation land use permits may be required for group events; tick precautions are advised.

• Stewardship: The Trails Committee and stewards maintain trails—reports of issues via Concord's Natural Resources Division

• Regional Extensions: Trails like Estabrook Woods and the Bay Circuit Trail connect Concord's network to neighboring conservation systems.

Concord's walking trails offer something for everyone - solitude, scenery, history, and the simple joy of being outdoors. These carefully preserved conservation areas provide an essential escape into nature and a chance to experience the Town's rich landscape firsthand.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of our outdoor series, where we'll shift gears and explore Concord's best bicycle trails. The paths are perfect for cyclists of all ages looking to enjoy the Town on two wheels.