AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Hobbs Brook Basin (Cambridge Water Supply Land)

Cambridge Reservoir–Best View Viewpoint, 5 sights

1.2 mi · ▲ 86 ft · 27 min

Cambridge Reservoir–Best View Viewpoint, 5 sights is a 1.2-mile out-and-back in Hobbs Brook Basin (Cambridge Water Supply Land) near Idylwide, MA. The route passes Best View Viewpoint, Cambridge Reservoir and vernal pool. It is mostly level, with 86 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi177 – 249 ft1.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.44355, -71.26548
Nearest town Idylwide, MA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Cambridge Reservoir–Best View Viewpoint, 5 sights

1.2 mi · ▲ 86 ft · 27 min

Elevation 177–250 ft

Out & Back · Hobbs Brook Basin (Cambridge Water Supply Land)

Trailhead: 42.44355, -71.26548

Weather Aug 4: sunrise 5:41 AM · sunset 8:03 PM

Transit-accessible: Marrett Rd @ Sheraton Lexington stop 325 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SW.
  2. 300 ftBear left, heading SE.
  3. 150 ftBear right, heading SE.
  4. 50 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  5. 50 ftBear right onto Best View Path, heading SE.
  6. 50 ftBear left, heading SE.
  7. 150 ftPass Best View Viewpoint.
  8. 150 ftBear right, heading S.
  9. 350 ftTurn left, heading S.
  10. 450 ftBear left, heading SE.
  11. 50 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  12. 0.1 miBear right, heading S.
  13. 50 ftBear left, heading S.
  14. 250 ftReach Cambridge Reservoir, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  15. 250 ftBear left onto Old Mill Road Hiking Trail, heading S.
  16. 0.3 miSharp right, heading N.
  17. 100 ftTurn left, heading W.
  18. 400 ftSharp right, heading NW.
  19. 0.1 miPass vernal pool.
  20. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Esker Trail, heading N.
  21. 150 ftArrive 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/cambridge-reservoir-out-back

Trail surface

66% dirt8% gravel6% other20% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 5:41 AMSunset 8:03 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.1 mi in (~3 min). Leave by 7:40 PM for the 8:03 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:23 PM — 11 min before dark.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Marrett Rd @ Sheraton Lexington stop 325 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Idylwide, Massachusetts