The Best Woodland trails in Winthrop, Massachusetts

Welcome to the John J. Donovan Reservation & Sagamore Hill Conservation Area, an expansive 270-acre natural wonderland located at 473 Sagamore Street, Hamilton, Massachusetts. This park offers a unique opportunity to explore miles of interconnected trails, perfect for walking, riding, running, and skiing. Steeped in rich history, the reservation's land has been shaped by centuries of human activity, beginning with Native American encampments and continuing through agricultural use since the early settlement period. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views from the open hilltop landscape, stretching to the mouth of the Essex River, Cape Ann, and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.

Tantiusques is a historic park and tourist attraction located at 493 Leadmine Road in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, United States. Visitors can follow a loop trail through quiet woodlands and explore the site of a former lead mine that was used by Indigenous peoples and later by European settlers. The name "Tantiusques" comes from a Nipmuc word meaning "to a black deposit between two hills," reflecting the site's history as one of New England's first mines. The Nipmuc tribe originally mined graphite at Tantiusques to make paints, and in 1644, John Winthrop, Jr. purchased the mine with hopes of extracting lead and iron. The site has a rich history, with Frederick Tudor shipping around 30 tons of graphite per year to Boston between 1829 and 1860. Visitors can explore the mine cut along the ridge, which is a partially filled-in trench that once followed the vein of graphite.

Welcome to Willowdale Mill Reservation Located at 196-298 Winthrop Street, Hamilton, Massachusetts, Willowdale Mill Reservation is a captivating park and tourist attraction that offers a serene escape into nature's beauty and historical charm. Nestled along the banks of the Ipswich River, this picturesque destination invites visitors to explore its unique terrain, rich riparian habitat, and fascinating historical features.