AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Charles River Reservation

Charles River Basin–Lederman Field, 4 lakes

12 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 4 hr

Charles River Basin–Lederman Field, 4 lakes is a 12-mile out-and-back in Charles River Reservation near Beacon Hill, MA. The route passes Charles River Basin, Lederman Field, Storrow Lagoon and View of Boston from BU Bridge. It is mostly level, with 0 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi0 – 23 ft15.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.36401, -71.07052
Nearest town Beacon Hill, MA · Official trailhead info (lazparking.com)
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Charles River Basin–Lederman Field, 4 lakes

12 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 4 hr

Elevation 0–22 ft

Out & Back · Charles River Reservation

Trailhead: 42.36401, -71.07052

Weather Aug 4: sunrise 5:41 AM · sunset 8:02 PM

Dogs allowed on leash · Transit-accessible: Charles/MGH stop 318 m from the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SW.
  2. 50 ftPass Charles River Basin.
  3. 50 ftTurn right onto Dr. Paul Dudley White Path, heading SW.
  4. 0.1 miPass Lederman Field.
  5. 250 ftBear left, heading S.
  6. 50 ftContinue straight onto Frances Appleton Bridge, heading S.
  7. 50 ftBear left, heading S.
  8. 50 ftBear left, heading S.
  9. 50 ftSharp right, heading S.
  10. 150 ftBear right, heading S.
  11. 0.2 miPass Storrow Lagoon.
  12. 300 ftContinue straight onto Dr. Paul Dudley White Path, heading S.
  13. 0.5 miBear left, heading SW.
  14. 0.9 miBear right, heading W.
  15. 50 ftPass View of Boston from BU Bridge.
  16. 2 miBear left, heading N.
  17. 0.5 miTurn right, heading NW.
  18. 50 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  19. 1.8 miSharp left, heading E.
  20. 300 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  21. 0.2 miTurn left, heading S.
  22. 0.1 miSharp right, heading S.
  23. 50 ftReach Charles River Basin, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  24. 0.1 miTurn left, heading S.
  25. 0.2 miTurn left, heading S.
  26. 300 ftTurn left, heading S.
  27. 50 ftSharp right, heading S.
  28. 1.8 miTurn right, heading N.
  29. 50 ftBear left, heading N.
  30. 0.5 miTurn left, heading W.
  31. 3.6 miBear left, heading E.
  32. 150 ftSharp left, heading E.
  33. 50 ftBear right, heading E.
  34. 50 ftBear right onto Frances Appleton Bridge, heading E.
  35. 50 ftBear right, heading E.
  36. 50 ftContinue straight onto Dr. Paul Dudley White Path, heading E.
  37. 0.2 miTurn left, heading E.
  38. 50 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/charles-river-basin-view-of-boston-from-bu-bridge-out-back

Trail surface

86% paved13% dirt1% boardwalk

Weather

Sunrise 5:41 AMSunset 8:02 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 5.8 mi in (~141 min). Leave by 5:21 PM for the 8:02 PM sunset. Back at your car by 10:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Transit-accessible: Charles/MGH stop 318 m from the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

Hikes near Beacon Hill, Massachusetts