Walden Pond Beach – Spy Pond loop from Porter

Bike touring routes & trails

Walden Pond Beach – Spy Pond loop from Porter

Moderate

3.0

(16)

riders

Walden Pond Beach – Spy Pond loop from Porter

03:08

52.0km

350m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: July 18, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Osborne Farm Conservation Area

Walden Pond State Reservation

Cambridge Water Supply Land

Hobbs Brook Basin (Cambridge Water Supply Land)

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

2.51 km

Alewife Brook Reservation

Highlight • Forest

Alewife Brook Reservation is a 120-acre urban wild in Cambridge and Arlington, Massachusetts, offering a surprising mix of wetlands, woodlands, and paved paths near the Alewife T station. It’s a key green corridor along the Minuteman Bikeway and Fitchburg Cutoff Path, making it popular with cyclists, runners, and commuters. Boardwalks and footpaths wind through marshes where you can spot red-winged blackbirds, herons, and turtles. The reservation also plays a vital role in local flood control and wildlife habitat. While not remote, it offers a welcome dose of nature in the city and easy access to larger trail networks in the region.

Tip by

3.76 km

Site of Fitchburg Railroad Hill Crossing Depot

Ruins

17.2 km

Denormandie Land

Nature Reserve

19.8 km

Sandy Pond Trust Land

Nature Reserve

21.0 km

Gropius House

Highlight • Historical Site

Modernist architect Walter Gropius had this house built in 1938 in the Bauhaus style. He and his family lived here until his death in 1969, and it was eventually turned into a museum. The interior design is just as interesting as the exterior.

Tip by

23.0 km

Walden Pond Beach

Highlight • Beach

Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts is a historic and natural landmark famously associated with author and philosopher Henry David Thoreau. In 1845, Thoreau lived in a small cabin by the pond for two years, inspiring his influential book Walden, which explores themes of simplicity, self-reliance, and harmony with nature. The pond, a glacial kettle-hole lake, is part of Walden Pond State Reservation, encompassing 335 acres of protected land. It features hiking trails, a beach area for swimming, fishing spots, and interpretive programs about Thoreau's life and work at the new visitors center. Visitors can also see a replica of Thoreau’s cabin and explore the environment he cherished.

Tip by

31.2 km

Battle Road Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Minuteman Trail, also known as the Battle Road Trail, is a historic pathway in the Minute Man National Historical Park, spanning Concord, Lincoln, and Lexington, Massachusetts. This 5-mile trail follows the route taken by British troops and colonial militiamen during the opening battles of the American Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775. The trail features several key historical sites, including the Hartwell Tavern, Captain William Smith House, and the site of Paul Revere’s capture. It winds through scenic woods, fields, and wetlands, providing visitors with a mix of history and natural beauty. Interpretive signs along the route detail the events of the fateful day, making it a popular destination for walking, running, and cycling. Although you can do it on a road bike, a gravel bike or hardtail might be more comfortable.

Tip by

32.9 km

Paul Revere's Capture Site

Highlight • Historical Site

William Dawes made it but the regulars arrested Paul here

Tip by

39.4 km

Lexington Battle Green

Highlight • Historical Site

Lexington's Battle Green is the exact location of the the Battle that took place on the morning of April 19, 1775.

It was at this site that the opening shots of the Battles of Lexington and Concord were fired on April 19, 1775, starting the American Revolutionary War.

Tip by

47.1 km

Uncle Sam Plaza and Samuel Wilson Monument

Highlight • Monument

Uncle Sam Plaza, located in Arlington, Massachusetts, near the Minuteman Bikeway, honors Samuel Wilson, believed to be the inspiration for the national symbol "Uncle Sam." Born on September 13, 1766, near this site—then part of Menotomy—Wilson became a meat packer who supplied the U.S. Army during the War of 1812. His barrels, marked with "U.S.," led soldiers to associate the provisions with "Uncle Sam," personifying the United States. The plaza features a bronze statue of Wilson, sculpted by Theodore Cotillo Barbarossa and installed in 1976 during the U.S. Bicentennial celebrations. Adjacent to the statue is a bronze relief illustrating scenes from Wilson's life, including his roles in Troy, New York, and Mason, New Hampshire.

Tip by

48.0 km

Spy Pond

Highlight • Lake

Spy Pond is a 103-acre freshwater kettle pond located in Arlington, Massachusetts. It formed thousands of years ago during the last Ice Age and is part of the Mystic River watershed. The pond is bordered by Spy Pond Park, which features a playground, picnic areas, and walking paths. The Minuteman Bikeway runs nearby, providing easy access for cyclists and pedestrians. Spy Pond is also a habitat for various wildlife, including fish, birds, and aquatic plants, making it a popular natural area within the suburban landscape of Greater Boston.

Tip by

52.0 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types