• Contact Us
  • Events calendar
Entering Swellesley
Pinnacle, Wellesley

The Swellesley Report

More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

  • Advertise
  • Wellesley Square
  • Deland, Gibson Insurance Athlete of the Week
  • Camp
  • Private schools, sponsored by Riverbend
  • Business index
  • Contribute
  • Eat
  • Schools
  • Top 10 things to do
  • Embracing diversity
  • Kids
  • About us
  • Events
  • Natick Report
  • Seniors
  • Letters to the editor
  • Guidelines for letters to the editor
  • Live government meetings
  • Raiders sports schedules & results
  • Fire & police scanner
  • 2023 Town Election
 
Needham Bank, Wellesley
Write Ahead, Wellesley

Beyond Wellesley: a 2-mile walk around Weston Reservoir

January 15, 2022 by Deborah Brown 6 Comments

I’ve walked the Weston Reservoir loop in the past and wasn’t a fan. Too many people, too many unleashed dogs loping about, too much fencing, which parsed the water view into metal diamond shapes of chain-link. I’m always good for a nice 2-mile hike on a wide path that cuts through a towering pine forest, but the drama of this trail! After two dogs came up behind me in the full snarl of a real fight, their frantic owners trying to call them off each other, I concluded this particular walk wasn’t the kind of quiet, nature-based experience I sought. I swore off the Weston Reservoir loop.

Weston Reservoir
Wide trails and towering pines of the Weston Reservoir trails make this a tremendously popular hiking spot.

That was a few years ago, on a perfect summer day. What would happen, I wondered, if I went right now, when packed snow and ice would likely deter a good number of walkers? If I could sneak in when those who need hip replacements (both human and canine) didn’t dare set out, a better experience might result, I reasoned. Since I’m just one fall away from needing my own hip replacement, but am still (over) confident in my balance and reflexes, I strapped on my Yaktraxs and headed to the trail. My plan proved sound.

Putting 153 Ash St., Weston into my GPS took me to a small, unpaved parking area, across the street from the trailhead, in under 20 minutes from Wellesley. There, the Friends of Weston Reservoir, a stewardship group, maintains boxes that supply “mutt mitts” for dog owners to clean up after their pets. Their efforts seem to encourage an ethos of respect along the trail, which was clean as a whistle. That’s saying something since I went when packed snow covered the ground, so there was nowhere for inconsiderate behavior to hide.

Weston Reservoir
A peek at the Weston Reservoir through the chain-link fencing.

Ah, a winter hike at this spot was more like it. With enough activity on the trail, which included a very striking group of five or so standard poodles and their owners, the walk felt populated and friendly. Passersby greeted one another with hellos or nods as they enjoyed time on the reservoir, part of the Weston Aqueduct Linear District, and listed since 1990 on the National Register of Historic Places.

The reservoir covers 3.5 square miles and reaches a maximum depth of 110 feet, but its water is not what comes out of Weston’s taps. The Weston Reservoir is maintained by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority as a backup distribution system. So if something happens to interrupt the flow of water from the Quabbin Reservoir to the good people of Weston, two underground storage tanks holding Weston water will take care of emergency distribution needs.

Weston Reservoir
Weston Reservoir

On the water, a thin layer of shoreline ice gave way to open water further out. On land, the wide path was covered with a combination of packed snow, ice, pine needles, and muddy spots, with plenty of roots underfoot to pick your way over and around. By keeping the water to my left and following those ahead of me, I found my way with no trouble at all. Although there are several offshoot paths, getting lost is unlikely if your goal is lapping the reservoir. Before I knew it, the trail spilled me back out onto Ash Street, just a little farther down the road, but within view, from where I entered the trail.

I’m glad I gave the Weston Reservoir loop another try. It’s always best practice to keep a mental list of good walking spots, keeping in mind that not every place works for every person, every season.

Weston Reservoir
Weston Reservoir

If you go…

The Weston Reservoir trail is a very dog-friendly area, and you should expect to encounter many unleashed dogs enjoying their freedom. If you want to walk your dog leash free, know that Weston’s rules require that you, “Carry a leash for each dog in your care.” More on Weston’s by-laws related to dogs.

print

Filed Under: Beyond Wellesley, Outdoors

Comments

  1. Student says

    January 15, 2022 at 3:43 pm

    3.5 square miles? I think not. A 2 mile walk would mean . 5 square miles if perfectly square, less otherwise

    Reply
  2. Leslie says

    January 15, 2022 at 11:08 pm

    What about the unleashed dogs running up to you? My dog will overreact to that so I am hesitant to go there.

    Reply
    • Deborah Brown says

      January 16, 2022 at 1:35 pm

      Unleashed dogs running up to people and other dogs should definitely be expected at Weston Reservoir. Your hesitancy to go there with a dog that will overreact to that kind of behavior is not unwarranted.

      Reply
    • Dawn says

      January 17, 2022 at 8:39 am

      Dogs need to be under voice control at all times or be leashed.

      Reply
  3. Dawn says

    January 17, 2022 at 8:37 am

    Thanks for this great, well laid out piece and for including Weston in your report! The reservoir is a wonderful walking trail and not only for Weston residents, but for those in the surrounding towns. I wish Swellesley Report would include a Weston section. It’s is needed in Weston and would be a much appreciated resource. Please consider!

    Reply
    • Deborah Brown says

      January 17, 2022 at 3:20 pm

      Thanks for your kind words, Dawn. Between running Swellesley and our new site, Natick Report, we just can’t manage another town!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Linden Square, Wellesley
Riverbend, Natick

Tip us off…

Please send tips, photos, ideas to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

 

Advertisements

Wellesley Square, Wellesley Merchants
Wellesley, Jesamondo
Beacon Hill Athletic Club, Wellesley
Fay School, Southborough
Sexton test prep
Feldman Law
Wellesley Theatre Project
Volvo
Cheesy Street Grill
Mature Caregivers
Admit Fit, Wellesley
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
Never miss a post with our free daily Swellesley Report email
Name: 
Your email address:*
Please wait...
Please enter all required fields Click to hide
Correct invalid entries Click to hide

You can subscribe for free, though we appreciate any contribution that supports our independent journalism.

Click on Entering Natick sign to read our Natick Report

Entering Natick road sign

Most Read Posts

  • Sign up now for summer camp in Wellesley (and beyond)
  • Letters-to-the-editor day in Wellesley—important election-time updates
  • Wellesley Public Works news: A PFAS warning; Weston Road construction on tap for summer; Wood recycling hot, pricey; Town Meeting article preview
  • Wellesley business buzz: Board business liaison phased out; Help ID top business leaders of color; Hospital taps new president
  • Wellesley Cotillion makes a strong comeback

Upcoming Events

Jan 25
7:00 pm - 7:45 pm

Olin College Presents Connecting Communities 2023: Sustainability

Jan 26
9:00 am - 10:30 am

Select Board office hours—in-person or online

Jan 31
9:00 am - 11:00 am Recurring

Coffee and Conversation with the Wetlands Administrator and Staff

Jan 31
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Families Eat Together online presentation

Feb 1
11:59 pm

Deadline for Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club grants application

View Calendar

Popular pages

  • Wellesley’s 7 official scenic roads

Recent Comments

  • Peggy Heffernan on Wellesley police officer injured in crash at intersection of Grove and Benvenue
  • Beth Dublin on Wellesley police officer injured in crash at intersection of Grove and Benvenue
  • Erika on Where to buy the Wellesleyest stuff in Wellesley
  • Alice Roy on Inside Track has jewel of a Wellesley engagement scoop
  • Sue Morris on Wellesley Cotillion makes a strong comeback

Links we like

  • Danny's Place
  • Great Runs
  • Jack Sanford: Wellesley's Major League Baseball Star
  • Tech-Tamer
  • The Wellesley Wine Press
  • Universal Hub
  • Wellesley Sports Discussion Facebook Group

Categories

  • 2021 Town Election (24)
  • 2023 Town Election (2)
  • Animals (428)
  • Antiques (49)
  • Art (592)
  • Beyond Wellesley (52)
  • Books (376)
  • Business (1,556)
  • Camp (11)
  • Careers/jobs (53)
  • Churches (82)
  • Clubs (236)
  • Construction (300)
  • Dump (130)
  • Education (3,189)
    • Babson College (252)
    • Bates Elementary School (18)
    • Dana Hall School (36)
    • Fiske Elementary School (11)
    • Hardy Elementary School (47)
    • Hunnewell Elementary School (46)
    • MassBay (57)
    • Schofield Elementary School (26)
    • Sprague Elementary School (19)
    • St. John School (2)
    • Tenacre Country Day School (11)
    • Upham Elementary School (35)
    • Wellesley College (613)
    • Wellesley High School (996)
    • Wellesley Middle School (204)
  • Embracing diversity (84)
  • Entertainment (814)
  • Environment (772)
  • Fashion (144)
  • Finance (15)
  • Fire (173)
  • Food (358)
  • Fundraising (640)
  • Gardens (164)
  • Government (604)
    • 2020 Town Election (47)
    • 2022 Town Election (15)
  • Health (866)
    • COVID-19 (203)
  • Hikes (6)
  • History (399)
  • Holidays (440)
  • Houses (162)
  • Humor (47)
  • Kids (867)
  • Law (8)
  • Legal notices (10)
  • Letters to the Editor (71)
  • Media (72)
  • METCO (4)
  • Military (13)
  • Morses Pond (109)
  • Music (579)
  • Natick Report (30)
  • Neighbors (280)
  • Obituaries & remembrances (86)
  • Outdoors (655)
  • Parenting (63)
  • Police (778)
    • Crime (395)
  • Politics (554)
  • POPS Senior Profile (10)
  • RDF (6)
  • Real estate (344)
  • Religion (138)
  • Restaurants (340)
  • Safety (155)
  • Scouts (2)
  • Seniors (127)
  • Shopping (163)
  • Sponsored (6)
  • Sports (1,011)
    • Athlete of the Week (12)
  • STEM (108)
  • Technology (165)
  • Theatre (397)
  • Town Meeting (23)
  • Transportation (240)
  • Travel (17)
  • Uncategorized (1,244)
  • Volunteering (350)
  • Weather (179)
  • Wellesley Election 2019 (21)
  • Wellesley Free Library (280)
  • Wellesley Holiday Gift Guide (2)
  • Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend (20)

© 2023 The Swellesley Report
Site by Tech-Tamer · Login