AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Bearsden Conservation Area

Newton Reservoir–Observation Hill Trail, 3 sights

8.7 mi · ▲ 1,082 ft · 3 hr 26 min

Newton Reservoir–Observation Hill Trail, 3 sights is an 8.7-mile out-and-back in Bearsden Conservation Area near Phillipston Four Corners, MA. The route reaches Newton Reservoir. It climbs 1,082 ft, with sections as steep as 17% grade. It scores 62/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi899 – 1,194 ft · steepest grade: 17%8.9 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.58241, -72.14220
Nearest town Phillipston Four Corners, MA
Google Maps Apple Maps

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Newton Reservoir–Observation Hill Trail, 3 sights

8.7 mi · ▲ 1,082 ft · 3 hr 26 min

Elevation 898–1,193 ft

Out & Back · Bearsden Conservation Area

Trailhead: 42.58241, -72.14220

Weather Aug 4: Overcast, high 77°F / low 60° · precip 0% · wind 9 mph · sunrise 5:44 AM · sunset 8:07 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 0.1 miSharp right, heading NW.
  3. 0.2 miTurn right, heading N.
  4. 350 ftTurn right, heading N.
  5. 50 ftBear left, heading NW.
  6. 500 ftBear left, heading N.
  7. 100 ftBear right, heading N.
  8. 250 ftTurn left, heading N.
  9. 2 miTurn left onto Old Stage Road, heading NE.
  10. 0.2 miPass Newton Reservoir.
  11. 0.6 miContinue straight onto Red Dot Trail, heading N.
  12. 0.9 miTurn right onto Observation Hill Trail, heading NE.
  13. 0.2 miTurn left onto Willis Road, heading S.
  14. 50 ftReach Newton Reservoir, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  15. 50 ftTurn right onto Observation Hill Trail, heading S.
  16. 0.2 miTurn left onto Red Dot Trail, heading NW.
  17. 0.9 miContinue straight onto Old Stage Road, heading S.
  18. 0.7 miTurn right, heading SE.
  19. 2 miTurn right, heading SE.
  20. 200 ftBear left, heading E.
  21. 100 ftBear right, heading E.
  22. 0.1 miBear right, heading S.
  23. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  24. 350 ftTurn left, heading S.
  25. 0.2 miSharp left, heading E.
  26. 250 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/newton-reservoir-newton-reservoir-out-back-4-sights

Trail surface

19% dirt81% unspecified

Weather

OvercastTemperature 77°F60°
Precip0%Wind9 mphUV7Humidity76%
Rained 1.2″ yesterday (3.5″ over the last week) · trails may be muddy
Hourly temperature
80°60°
Sunrise 5:44 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:07 PM
Wed 78°61°
Thu 86°66° 54%
Fri 90°68° 36%
Sat 88°67° 37%
Sun 90°64°
Mon 87°66° 17%

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.3 mi in (~64 min). Leave by 6:42 PM for the 8:07 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Phillipston Four Corners, Massachusetts