Ponkapoag Pond Is Best Lake For Fall Hiking In Boston

There are few sights as spectacular as the reflection of vibrant fall foliage rippling in the waters of a lake. While Ponkapoag Pond is an appealing spot to visit any time of year, its natural beauty is only enhanced by autumn colors.

A 3.75-mile long loop encircles the pond. Since the terrain is fairly flat, the trail is a perfect way to spend a fall afternoon – or morning!

Ponkapoag Pond lies within the vast Blue Hills Reservation, in Canton and Randolph. The reservation contains a whopping 125 miles of trails.

To just see the pond, veer left from the Randolph Street parking lot and you’ll find yourself on the Acton Path, which runs right next to the lake.

The trail leads through woodlands that bursts with color during autumn.

Part of the way around the loop, a boardwalk branches off from the main path. It’s definitely worth adding a little more distance to your hike by taking this out-and-back path (it’s a fifth of a mile each way). That’s because it leads through an Atlantic white cedar bog.

This bog is unusual because most Atlantic white cedars were cut down over the years. Traveling between the dense trees here feels a little otherworldly.

The boardwalk ends on a different shore of Ponkapoag Pond, transitioning from bog, to a floating layer of vegetation, and finally to the waters of the lake. This provides another opportunity to admire the trees that encircle the pond.

Back on the main trail, you’ll pass through plenty of wooded land, some primitive cabins, and the Ponkapoag Golf Course, the first public golf course in the nation. The diverse scenery means you’re never bored along this route.

Both horses and dogs are welcome on the trail.

Here is a map of the Blue Hills Reservation that shows the Ponkapoag Pond Trail (on page four). Pull it up on your phone before you set out, or take a screenshot of it, to avoid getting lost.

For more trail ideas, view this list of epic hiking spots scattered throughout the Boston area.

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The One Hikeable Lake Near Boston That's Simply Breathtaking In The Fall

Juliet White

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