Peters Hill–Hemlock Hill, 9 lakes
2.6 mi · ▲ 249 ft · 59 min
Peters Hill–Hemlock Hill, 9 lakes is a 2.6-mile out-and-back in Arnold Arboretum near Forest Hills, MA. The route passes Faxon Pond, Dawson Pond, Rehder Pond and 4 more before reaching Peters Hill at the turnaround, 1.3 miles in. It is mostly level, with 249 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Peters Hill–Hemlock Hill, 9 lakes
2.6 mi · ▲ 249 ft · 59 min
Elevation 52–206 ft
Out & Back · Arnold Arboretum
Trailhead: Forest Hills Road · 42.30202, -71.11714
Weather Aug 4: Overcast, high 84°F / low 62° · precip 0% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 5:41 AM · sunset 8:02 PM
Transit-accessible: South St @ Spalding St stop 293 m from the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Willow Path, heading NW.
- 50 ftPass Faxon Pond.
- 50 ftPass Dawson Pond.
- 50 ftPass Rehder Pond.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Arborway, heading SW.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Willow Path, heading W.
- 0.4 miPass Cedar of Lebanon.
- 50 ftPass Dawn Redwood.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto Linden Path, heading SW.
- 350 ftTurn left, heading SW.
- 450 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 100 ftTurn left, heading SW.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
- 150 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 150 ftTurn right, heading W.
- 450 ftBear right, heading SW.
- 350 ftBear right, heading S.
- 0.2 miBear right onto Conifer Path, heading SW.
- 100 ftPass Hemlock Hill.
- 150 ftTurn left onto Mulch Path, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear left onto Conifer Path, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear left onto Walter Street Gate Road, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear left onto Hemlock Hill Road, heading S.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Peters Hill Road, heading S.
- 100 ftPass Arnold Arboretum Viewpoint.
- 350 ftReach Peters Hill, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Hemlock Hill Road, heading SW.
- 250 ftBear right onto Walter Street Gate Road, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear right onto Conifer Path, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear right onto Mulch Path, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Conifer Path, heading SW.
- 250 ftBear left, heading SW.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading S.
- 400 ftBear left, heading N.
- 450 ftTurn left, heading NE.
- 150 ftTurn right, heading NE.
- 150 ftTurn right, heading NE.
- 50 ftSharp left, heading NE.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Linden Path, heading NE.
- 450 ftTurn left, heading W.
- 450 ftContinue straight onto Meadow Road, heading NW.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto Arborway, heading NW.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Willow Path, heading NW.
- 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 surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.2 mi in (~32 min). Leave by 7:10 PM for the 8:02 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: South St @ Spalding St stop 293 m from the trailhead
- Drinking water at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Forest Hills Road Trailhead
- Bussey Hill–Cedar of Lebanon, 7 lakes 1.9 mi · ▲ 110 ft
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