Cruising along the winding roads of Wayland, you’ll notice paths branching off into the woods where dog walkers seem to disappear for hours on end. These are no ordinary animal paths, but conservation land set aside specifically for hiking and appreciating nature. Curated and well-kept trails run through these extensive plots of land, allowing anyone to appreciate the beauty they hold.
The trails seem endless, but Wayland resident Andrew Munton has hiked them all and appreciates the abundance of green space.
“I grew up in a place where we didn’t have a lot of trails around my house,” Munton said. “So when we moved here to Wayland, I really enjoyed the fact that you could walk and find some open space within pretty much five minutes of anywhere in town.”
Wayland is home to 19 plots of conservation land, all of which are mapped for hiking. Maintained by the Wayland Conservation Commission, the trails are easy to follow and rarely obstructed.
“I think that the town’s done a great job of preserving all of the open spaces and green areas here against development, which is pretty remarkable for a town of our size,” Munton said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a tree branch across a path for more than a couple of weeks before it gets cut down and taken care of by the maintenance crews.”
The Bay Circuit Trail passes through 38 Massachusetts towns and is over 230 miles long. It runs through Wayland at Trout Brook, Sedge Meadow, Cow Common and Heard Farm. The trail can also be accessed through many smaller points, emerging on side roads like Glezen Lane and Pelham Island Road.
Before hiking, check out the maps for each plot of conservation land on the Wayland Conservation Commission website. Some trail entrances aren’t obvious or are in unexpected places. Here is a brief overview of each plot of conservation land.
Sedge Meadow
Sedge Meadow is accessible via BCT entrances by Glezen Lane and Moore Road, or directly reachable by way of Sedgemeadow Road. Parking is available at all three entrances. The trail is around 2.4 miles in length, and the conservation land itself covers a whopping 93 acres. Sedge Meadow features a bird feeder and pollinator garden only 0.1 miles into the trail, bustling with wildlife in the spring and summer.
“I’ve done a lot of skiing around [Sedge Meadow], especially in the areas near the marsh in the wintertime,” Munton said. “That’s enjoyable with all the open fields there.”
Rowan Hill
Rowan Hill, at about 20 acres, is one of the smaller plots of conservation land. Parking is located at the end of Coolidge Road, and the trail is about 0.3 miles long, with an extra 0.9 miles of trail available if you continue to the end of the property. Hayward Brook, which connects back to the Sudbury River, passes through the trail. Overall, Rowan Hill is an easy hike with very little change in elevation.
Pod Meadow
Pod Meadow branches off a small parking lot and winding downhill trail accessible directly from Old Connecticut Path. Alternatively, this 32-acre plot can be accessed from the aqueduct near Wallace Road. The path around the pond is only 0.2 miles long, but slightly less accessible due to the steep nature of the trail leading down to it. A lush and extensive pond surrounded by velvety forest, Pod Meadow is full of wildlife like beavers, birds and the occasional clay fairy hidden in a tree stump.
Pine Brook
Around the same size as Pod Meadow, Pine Brook covers about 31.4 acres of land and is accessible from the cul-de-sac on Forty Acres Drive. There is an easy 0.4-mile loop to follow, but those looking for a longer walk can continue another mile past the loop. Notably, Pine Brook and Hayward Brook are the last two pristine coldwater streams in Eastern Massachusetts, according to Mass Fish & Wildlife. Many different types of wetland wildlife, including Eastern Brook Trout, can be seen here.
Mainstone Hills
Turkey Hill and Wayland Hills make up what’s called Mainstone Hills, a conservation area located directly off of Rice Road. There are several areas to park — off Rice Road, by the Church of the Holy Spirit or at the end of Wayland Hills Road. The Mainstone Farm conservation area also includes Reeves Hill, accessible from Rice Road. The trail connects to Hamlen Woods, totaling 4.7 miles. Together, the Mainstone conservation areas encompass over 200 acres of land.
Hamlen Woods
One of the larger conservation properties, Hamlen Woods covers 165.7 acres of land and features a two-mile trail that passes through the nearby Mainstone conservation area. A lush pond and forest environment, Hamlen Woods provides a serene wooded hike through the scenic trail. There is a parking lot on Rice Road near the entrance.
“The areas around the pond are really good for kids,” Munton said. “The kids always enjoy the dam and being able to walk over little bridges.”
Upper and Lower Mill Brook
Upper and Lower Mill Brook are two conservation areas that encompass the land on either side of Claypit Hill Road. Lower Mill Brook does not have any parking. Upper Mill Brook has four parking areas: at Peace Lutheran Church, the end of Three Ponds Road, the end of Squirrel Hill Road and along Pear Tree Lane. Upper Mill Brook includes about two miles of trails, while Lower Mill Brook is about 1.4 miles. Notably, these hilly trails are the perfect place to spot a Great Blue Heron at the rookery where pairs of the impressive birds nest.
Snake Brook
Bordering Natick, the 1.1-mile Snake Brook trail features a well-constructed boardwalk that provides a flat path easily accessible to any hiker. Users note road noise is noticeable as the path approaches the highway, but it still remains a popular walking spot for residents.
Loker
Homonymous with the nearby Loker Elementary School, the 59-acre Loker conservation area exhibits a parking lot and a recreational playing field in addition to the wetland hiking area. The parking lot is easily accessible from Route 30, and the trail is about one mile long.
Lincoln Road
Parking for the shorter, 0.6-mile Lincoln Road trail is available along Hazelbrook Lane. The short trail provides an easy walk while still offering a view into the wildlife and greenery abundant around Wayland and Lincoln. “I think [Lincoln Road] is actually one of the most picturesque spots in Wayland because of the farm in the background,” Munton said.
Heard Farm
Grassy, meadowy Heard Farm is more than just a trail — it’s also an orchard. Fruit picking in the apple and pear orchards is welcomed, as long as you are courteous and respectful. While parking along Heard Road is prohibited, there is a parking lot on the road open for use. The trail through this 87-acre area is two miles and is very popular with dog walkers.
Greenways
Greenways is arguably one of the most extensive conservation areas, featuring the only boat launch as well as containing the only NHESP-listed Priority Habitat for Rare Species. Additionally, the terrain includes grassy areas, riverfront views and forest cover. The trail is about three miles and follows a loop around the 12-acre property. Parking is available by the senior facility Traditions of Wayland.
Cow Common
Cow Common, at 72.1 acres, features community gardens and an easy 2.1-mile loop through a grassy landscape (see accompanying story). However, note that the area is closed from April to September to protect endangered bobolinks during their breeding season.
Trout Brook and Castle Hill
Sherman’s Bridge Road separates Trout Brook and Castle Hill, with 1.4- and 0.8-mile trails, respectively. Parking can be found by Alpine Field or along the road. These trails are viewing points for diverse species of wildlife, including river otters. Furthermore, Trout Brook includes kettle holes left by glacial deposits.
Overall, the effort put into conservation in Wayland is certainly impressive, and the results show. Hiking these trails is not only a great way to show your appreciation and respect for nature, but also a way to feel closer to the town.
“I’ve gotten to know [the conservation land] in pretty much all four seasons, and there are always little things you notice if you walk the trail on a regular basis,” Munton said. “Whether it’s a new flower showing up or the activity of an animal, it really just takes a different kind of attention that I think is useful these days in the midst of all the distractions we have around us.”
