Here are 9 trails to try this summer through the MetroWest region

Jesse Collings, The MetroWest Daily News
·4 min read

FRAMINGHAM — With the sun shining and the days getting longer, activity on the various trails and paths across MetroWest are picking up. Whether you are an avid hiker and backpacker, a cyclist looking for some different terrain, or trying to find a place to connect the kids with nature, MetroWest is full of different options for everyone to get a little exercise.

This list can help you find what you are looking for from scenic bike trails to floating boardwalks to hikes and climbs among some of MetroWest's signature natural features. Here are nine paths to check out this year across the region.

Lake Williams Boardwalk in Marlborough

The newest path in the area, the Lake Williams Boardwalk in Marlborough, officially opened on May 6. The floating boardwalk, which hovers above Lake Williams, is a half-mile long, and connects with wooded trails along the lake, creating a two-mile, mostly flat hike that anyone can enjoy.

The new Lake Williams Boardwalk officially opened, May 6, 2024. Dozens of walkers tried out the half mile long extension of the Lake Wiilliams Trail following a brief ceremony with city officials.
The new Lake Williams Boardwalk officially opened, May 6, 2024. Dozens of walkers tried out the half mile long extension of the Lake Wiilliams Trail following a brief ceremony with city officials.

Callahan State Park in Framingham

Sporting over 800 acres of parkland, and more than 7 miles of marked trails, Callahan State Park, located in North Framingham and along the Southborough border, is one of the most popular destinations for local hikers, and is also popular for horseback riding, mountain biking, and fishing.

"It's a very convenient trail, it's off of Millwood and it goes through Framingham, and there are really nice trails, there are some easy ones and then there are some harder ones," Mary Kate Feeney, a Framingham resident who helped found Friends of Framingham Trails, a neighborhood activist group focused on support for local bikeways and trails, said.

Assabet River Trail from Acton to Marlborough

Connecting Acton to Marlborough, the 10-mile trail goes through two major nature landmarks, the Assabet River Wildlife Refuge in Sudbury and Fort Meadow Reservoir in Hudson and Marlborough. The path is known for featuring old mill buildings from the past, connecting the history of the Assabet River area with a natural setting.

John Holzhauer, of Hudson, pedals along the Assabet River Rail Trail in Hudson, July 7, 2022.
John Holzhauer, of Hudson, pedals along the Assabet River Rail Trail in Hudson, July 7, 2022.

Upper Charles Trail between Milford and Sherborn

Running from Milford to Sherborn, the Upper Charles Trail connects southern portions of MetroWest, stretching for 14 miles. The trail runs alongside the Charles River in Milford as well as Louisa Lake and Milford Pond, and switches between asphalt and crushed stone. The most memorable part of the trail is in Holliston, where it passes underneath the Bogastow Brook Viaduct, a 260-foot stone arch bridge that dates back to 1847.

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Cochituate Rail Trail in Framingham and Natick

The 4-mile trail connects Framingham with Natick, and as its name suggests, runs alongside Lake Cochituate and features great views of the lake and wetlands around the area. The trail is also a popular fishing spot for locals.

Kim Fleming, right, of Framingham, bicycled across the bridge crossing Rte. 30 on the Saxonville Branch of the Cochituate Rail Trail, reaching from Framingham into Natick, July 7, 2022.
Kim Fleming, right, of Framingham, bicycled across the bridge crossing Rte. 30 on the Saxonville Branch of the Cochituate Rail Trail, reaching from Framingham into Natick, July 7, 2022.

Center Trail in Hopkinton

A shorter trail, Center Trail in Hopkinton is less than a mile long and runs behind Hopkinton High School to downtown Hopkinton. While it will one day be connected to the Upper Charles Trail, for now, it remains a good option for walking, hiking, biking, and exploring for families and young children.

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Nobscot Scout Reservation in Framingham and Sudbury

While there is no bicycling in the reservation area that spans Framingham and Sudbury, the trails are designed for education and first-hand engagement with nature for different scouting groups. The 452-acre site is home to numerous trails that provide a lot of exercise for those seeking to do a loop.

"There is a path that is very popular, starting on Edgell Road and going all the way up to Tippling Rock, and that is a good stretch of the legs," Feeney said.

A small bridge on the legion Trail crosses of Muskie Brook at the Nobscot Scout Reservation.
A small bridge on the legion Trail crosses of Muskie Brook at the Nobscot Scout Reservation.

Hopkinton State Park

Featuring more than 1,500 acres of preserved space, Hopkinton State Park sports more than 10 miles of hiking trails that crisscross the park. The park's centerpiece is the Hopkinton Reservoir, which has swimming beaches plus the opportunity to walk on top of the historic earthen dam that controls the reservoir.

Nala, a chocolate lab from Milford, leaps into the water at Hopkintion State Park with Robert Kaufman, June 15, 2023.
Nala, a chocolate lab from Milford, leaps into the water at Hopkintion State Park with Robert Kaufman, June 15, 2023.

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Upton State Forest

At more than 2,600 acres, Upton State Forest offers endless amounts of opportunities for hiking and exploring. Popular with horseback riders year-round and cross-country skiers in the winter, Upton State Forest also features several structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a New Deal-era labor organization.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Where can I go walking or biking? 9 trails to try in MetroWest