Tag: walking maps

Watertown: The Upper Charles River Reservation Walking Map

Watertown: The Upper Charles River Reservation Walking Map

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A natural and wild quality pervades the Charles River’s banks upriver from the dam at Watertown Square. Unlike the riverbanks along the Charles River Basin–the well-known Boston and Cambridge Esplanades with their elegant, manicured walkways and skyline views–the Upper Charles is a narrow winding body of water bordered by a ribbon of lush vegetation. Small dams and arching bridges regularly punctuate this walk, and views of the water are short and focused, extended only to the next river bend, and frequently provided by wooden overlook decks.

The rustic, overgrown appearance of MDC’s Upper Charles River Reservation is intentional. The greenway is designed to be a self-sustaining natural environment. Even its narrowest sections evoke a wonderful wilderness-like feeling, making the tensions of city life fade.


Click on the photo for “WalkBoston’s Upper Charles River Reservation Walking Map” on Google Maps

Hills of Somerville Walking Map

Hills of Somerville Walking Map

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Like an east coast San Francisco, Somerville’s street grid is imposed on its hills without regard to steep grades. Architects have capitalized on the city’s dramatic views with two- and three-family houses densely built in straight rows climbing the hills.

The city’s glacial hills and deep valleys were first settled by colonial farmers. Their roads—which followed crests or valleys—still exist in the form of modern-day Broadway, Somerville Avenue, Elm Street, Main Street, Washington Street, and others. The crosstown streets were once paths between farmers’ lands. The curious street grid may have helped guide the later grid layout of Midwestern and Western cities.

Early development followed the colonial roads; the unpaved range-ways were too hilly for horses. In the 19th century railroads, thoroughfares, and streetcars were all laid out, allowing Somerville to become both an industrial center and, at one point, the most densely populated city in the country.


Click for “Hills of Somerville Walking Map” on Google Maps

West Cambridge Walking Map

West Cambridge Walking Map

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The pathways of Cambridge spread far beyond its famous education centers. Some areas, such as the Charles River, are well known to present and former students. Still, the secrets of the leafy residential areas west of Harvard Square are likely to remain unseen until teased out by a journey on foot with an advisory text in hand.

As a whole West Cambridge presents many contrasts of natural beauty and architectural landmarks. The quality of the built environment is exceptionally high. Landscaping is mature and well-maintained. Views vary from close-up to several miles. The Brattle Street and Coolidge Hill neighborhoods and Mount Auburn Cemetery are enclaves, quiet and distinct, yet very close to Harvard Square. This tour through one of Boston’s most exquisite neighborhoods will reveal its marvels–known and unknown.


Click for “WalkBoston’s West Cambridge Walking Map” on Google Maps

Cambridge Urban Core Walking Maps

Cambridge Urban Core Walking Maps

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One of the many benefits of walking is that you see and experience things you’d miss using other modes of travel. And the best way to enjoy them is with a WalkBoston map.

Our five maps for Cambridge Urban Core feature places that are wonderful to walk, easy to navigate, and convenient to get around in Cambridge. Each one is created by those know the territory best – people who live there or are an expert in a walk’s particular theme or topic. Each has a self-guided walk with a detailed route, distances and descriptions of sights and scenes.


Click for “Cambridge Urban Core Maps” and more on Google Maps

The Neponset River and Ashmont Hill Walking Map

The Neponset River and Ashmont Hill Walking Map

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A quiet river flows through a widening estuary to Boston Harbor, past riverfront communities and a public beach. This river–the Neponset–is a little-known sister of the larger Charles River. The two rivers could not be more different. Where the Charles is the focus of downtown and the universities, the Neponset flows past old chocolate mills and historic residential areas through one of the last remaining salt marshes and wildlife sanctuaries at the edge of Boston Harbor.

Along the river the Lower Neponset River Trail, a new 2.5-mile pathway built by the Metropolitan District Commission, follows the route of the former Dorchester & Milton Branch Railroad. This trail is reachable by quaint and colorful 1950s-era trolleys that take passengers from Ashmont Station to the beginning of the path as Central Avenue in Milton. From here, the paved footway follows the river past warehouses, mill flats, and a gradually expanding tidal estuary with tall saltwater-washed grasses.

Click for The Neponset River and Ashmont Hill Walking Map


Click for The Neponset River and Ashmont Hill Walking Map on Google Maps