Our family has been hiking up to Tipling Rock at the Nobscot Scout Reservation in Framingham/Sudbury for years. At an elevation of 426 feet, it’s easy enough for an energetic 4-year old to hike it in under an hour round-trip, long enough to count as an adult’s exercise for the day, yet high enough to offer views of three states, the Boston skyline including the John Hancock Tower, Mt. Monadnock, the Blue Hills, and beautiful fall foliage if you go now. The following pictures and captions will help you along. The white-blazed trail, which will lead you up to Tipling Rock, isn’t always as apparent as a hiker might like, plus there are many trails that branch off from it, which can become confusing. So follow along with me, and you won’t get lost and end up in a neighborhood, having to depend on the kindness of a stranger to drive you and your exhausted young ones, who cannot take one more step, back to the parking lot. That once happened to a family I — ahem — know.

Nobscot’s address is 1 Nobscot Rd, Sudbury, MA 01776, and the parking area is obvious.

Cut across the field and pass under the Andersen Memorial.

The marker stones at the Andersen Memorial list what all scouts strive to be: Trustworty, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Reverent. Make your kids tell each other which one they each most embody. — The marker stones at the Andersen Memorial list what all scouts strive to be: Trustworty, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Reverent. Make your kids be nice to each other by having them tell the family which attribute each sibling most embodies.

Take the Memorial Trail up to Tipling Rock. Follow the white blazes.

Keep left and go over the wooden bridge.

After you go over the second wooden bridge, continue to stay to the left.

Keep to the right at the Legion Trail sign. Continue to follow the white blazes.

Go over the wooden bridge.

At the water pump go left. Building #30 will be on your right.

At 5 Corners, continue straight.

At the brown cabin with the green windows, stay to the right.

The big rock on the left is a nice place to take a break and let the kids climb.

At the fork, continue to the right.

Pass the stone chimney on your right. Keep following the path straight.

At the fork, bear left.

At the next fork, bear right.

Continue to bear right.

Cross over the wide path and continue straight.

See the Tipling Rock sign. You're almost to the top. — See the Tipling Rock sign. You’re almost to the top.

Keep going straight. Scramble up the rocks.

At the top, you can see Boston straight ahead.

Surviving the return trip

Going back, I generally take the same way. In case you were too busy bribing a straggler with trail mix to really notice your surroundings…

Scramble down the rocks.

Bear right.

Cross the wide path and go up the hill.

At the fork, bear right and go up the hill.

At the fork, bear left.

Keep straight.

Pass the stone chimney on your left.

Keep straight at the fork. Do not follow the Bay Circuit trail marker that directs you to the left.

Pass the big rock on your right.

When you see the Nixon trail sign, stay straight.

Go toward Building #30. Take a right at the water pump.

Follow the sign that points toward the Legion trail.

Walk over the two wooden bridges.

Cross the next wooden bridge. Composting toilets are on the right, and most likely open for business.

Pass the water pump on your left.

Keep going straight.

Cross the wooden bridge.

At the stone wall, bear right toward the trees with the red/white/blue blazes.

Cross over the wooden bridge.

Cross the dirt road. You will see the Hendersen Lodge.

You’re back!

Afterwards, stop off at nearby CJ's Northside Grill (911 Edgell Rd, Framingham, MA 01701) for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and/or ice cream, depending on your needs at the time. I sat at the counter of the approximately 40-seats restaurant and had the meatloaf sandwich, but it was dry and without flavor, so I can't recommend that menu item. You'll probably have better luck with their cheeseburgers or fish and chips. The place also has outdoor seating, and is decorated in a Red Sox theme. The brownie batter ice cream was rich and studded with plenty of brownie bits, the perfect way to earn back all the burned calories of a nice hike. — Afterwards, stop off at nearby CJ’s Northside Grill (911 Edgell Rd, Framingham, MA 01701) for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and/or ice cream, depending on your needs at the time. I sat at the counter of the approximately 40-seat restaurant and had the meatloaf sandwich, but it was dry and without flavor, so I can’t recommend that menu item. You’ll probably have better luck with their cheeseburgers or fish and chips. The place also has outdoor seating, and is decorated in a Red Sox theme. The brownie batter ice cream was fantastic, rich and studded with plenty of brownie bits, the perfect way to earn back all the burned calories of a nice hike.

Tour Wellesley’s North 40 on October 15

Beyond Wellesley: a secret hike an hour away at Crane Beach in Ipswich

Hiking Guernsey Path in Wellesley

Beyond Wellesley: a hike up Tipling Rock in Sudbury followed by lunch and ice cream

Surviving the return trip

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