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Map Key

9.3

Miles

14.9

KM

40%

Singletrack

422' 129 m

High

209' 64 m

Low

545' 166 m

Up

537' 164 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

11%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

This ride links trails from 5 different open spaces in the Town of Boxborough, MA. The trails are mostly singletracks with more or less rocks and roots as it is typical for New England trails. There are two nice climbs as well as short downhill sections. A few bridges and rock gardens provide technical challenges.

Description

Start at the trailhead for the Half Moon Meadow Trail which is on Sargent Road near the Commuter Rail crossing. The trail is largely flat and the only notable challenges are a few wooden bridges that are about 12 inches off the ground. The trail can be muddy in the spring and after lots of rain.

Once out of the woods take a left and ride Reed Farm Rd until Liberty Square Rd. Take a right onto Liberty Square Rd and the next left onto Box Mill Rd. Climb uphill and follow it into a col-du-sac. The entry to the trail is at the opposite end between two properties. This is the trail for Hager Hill.

After ~500 ft there is a T-junction and you want to take a left and follow the yellow trail until you cross a small stream and the trail forks. Keep straight and follow the blue trail to climb Hager Hill, the first good climb of the ride. On top cross the gravel road and descend the blue trail on the other side of Hager Hill. After a large boulder the trail turns to the right. Follow that trail over roots and rocks until you get to a junction where there is a red map display on a tree. Turn left and follow the red trail. This trail crosses some private property and brings you back to a road.

Take a left onto Joseph Road and your next right onto Emanuel Drive. At the T-junction take a left onto Depot Road and follow it for about 0.7 miles. The next trail starts right across the T-junction between Depot Road and Middle Road.

When you get to a fork marked with a cairn follow the blue trail marker to the left. If you take a right you'll take a shortcut.

The trail involves some nice climbing over roots and rocks until it descends to Beaver Brook in a nice but short downhill. Cross the two planks over Beaver Brook and cross the meadow of Steele Farm until you get to a gravel road. Follow this road for about 1/4 mile until you see singletrack with a red blaze that climbs towards the right.

Keep climbing and keep right at the fork after the climb. The trail passes along some homes and comes out at Hill Road.

Cross over Hill road into the Have Not Pond area. The trail follows a dirt road for a little bit and then turns left through a meadow on a mowed path. It enters the woods on the other side. Follow that trail but don't turn left where it says "Fisk Woods." Take the next left, which is a nice short downhill followed by a singletrack that's rather overgrown in places. The trail climbs back up and goes through a gate through what appears to be a cattle grazing ground on private land. I've never seen any cows there, though.

Back on Hill Rd take a left and ride this road until Robinson Conservation Land. Look for an open space with a brown sign on your right. This will be the last trail section for this ride.

Ride the dirt road until you get to a stone wall and a sign reading "Leaving Town Land." Take a left here and follow the singletrack downhill. Keep straight and go down yellow trail for direct route.

The trail bottoms out in a muddy area with 2 short bridges. After that there is one more climb. At the top you can go left (red blaze) or right (blue blaze). The red blazed trail is a bit easier and better maintained than the more technical blue trail. Both will join later.

The final and most difficult challenge is a large rock garden just before the trail comes out on Depot Rd. That's the end of the ride.

To get back to Half Moon Meadow take a left on Depot, take a right onto Liberty Square Rd. and your next left onto Sargent Rd.

Contacts

Land Manager: Town of Boxborough, MA

Shared By:

Kai Troester

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 2 votes

#1

in MetroWest

#2715

Overall
  4.0 from 2 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
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3 Star
50%
2 Star
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1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in MetroWest

#15

in Massachusetts

#2,715

Overall
6 Views Last Month
3,907 Since Jun 10, 2013
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Access trail to Steele Farm (Boxborough, MA)
Jul 29, 2013 near Stow, MA
Nice little bridge in Steele Farm (Boxboro, MA)
Jul 29, 2013 near Harvard, MA
Have-Not-Pond (Boxborough, MA)
Jul 29, 2013 near Harvard, MA
Half Moon Meadow trail
Jun 10, 2013 near Acton, MA
Half Moon Meadow trail in Boxboro, MA
Jun 6, 2013 near Acton, MA
Turn left here. But there are also nice trails straight ahead and to the right.
Jul 29, 2013 near Harvard, MA

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