AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Middlesex Fells Reservation

Black Rock–Melrose Rock, 5 summits

3 mi · ▲ 415 ft · 1 hr 12 min

Black Rock–Melrose Rock, 5 summits is a 3-mile out-and-back in Middlesex Fells Reservation near Haywardville, MA. The route passes Melrose Rock, Middlesex Fells Reservation Viewpoint and Rock Circuit Viewpoint before reaching Black Rock at the turnaround, 1.5 miles in. It climbs 415 ft, with sections as steep as 17% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi92 – 226 ft · steepest grade: 17%3.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Whip Hill Path 42.46373, -71.08227
Nearest town Haywardville, MA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Black Rock–Melrose Rock, 5 summits

3 mi · ▲ 415 ft · 1 hr 12 min

Elevation 91–225 ft

Out & Back · Middlesex Fells Reservation

Trailhead: Whip Hill Path · 42.46373, -71.08227

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:30 AM · sunset 6:47 PM

Transit-accessible: Walton Pk @ Orris St stop 700 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 0.2 miBear right onto Crystal Spring Path, heading SW.
  3. 0.2 miBear right onto Crystal Spring Road, heading SW.
  4. 350 ftTurn left onto Crystal Spring Trail, heading W.
  5. 150 ftTurn left, heading S.
  6. 0.4 miTurn left, heading E.
  7. 0.2 miTurn left, heading SE.
  8. 0.2 miPass Melrose Rock.
  9. 50 ftPass Middlesex Fells Reservation Viewpoint.
  10. 0.1 miTurn left, heading SE.
  11. 50 ftSharp right, heading SE.
  12. 50 ftSharp left, heading SE.
  13. 50 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  14. 50 ftContinue straight onto Rock Circuit Trail, heading SE.
  15. 450 ftPass Rock Circuit Viewpoint.
  16. 200 ftReach Black Rock, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  17. 0.1 miTurn left, heading S.
  18. 50 ftSharp right, heading S.
  19. 50 ftSharp left, heading S.
  20. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  21. 0.3 miTurn right, heading N.
  22. 0.2 miTurn right onto Crystal Spring Trail, heading N.
  23. 0.1 miTurn right onto Pipe Line Road, heading NW.
  24. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Crystal Spring Trail, heading NW.
  25. 450 ftBear left, heading W.
  26. 200 ftTurn right onto Crystal Spring Road, heading NW.
  27. 350 ftBear left onto Crystal Spring Path, heading N.
  28. 0.2 miBear left, heading W.
  29. 0.1 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/black-rock-melrose-rock-out-back-6-km-954e

Trail surface

89% dirt5% paved6% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:30 AMSunset 6:47 PM

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Walton Pk @ Orris St stop 700 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Whip Hill Path Trailhead

Hikes near Haywardville, Massachusetts