Middlesex Fells Reservation--Pinnacle Rock

About this Location

Pinnacle Rock is one of the scenic viewpoints along the Rock Circuit Trail in Middlesex Fells Reservation. The trail is a 4.2-mile loop that passes through forests, ponds, and waterfalls, and offers some challenging scrambles and climbs. Pinnacle Rock is a large rock outcropping that overlooks the city of Boston and its skyline. It is a popular spot for birding, hiking, and picnicking, especially in the spring and fall seasons. The trail is well-marked with white blazes, but it is advisable to keep an eye on the map as there are forks and intersections along the trail. 

About Middlesex Fells Reservation

See all hotspots at Middlesex Fells Reservation

The Middlesex Fells is a large tract of land lying only five miles from Boston and inside MA-128. It is accessible through 50 miles of trails and carriage roads and bisected by I-93. Inside the Fells are several ponds, including Spot Pond, three connected reservoirs for the town of Winchester, and several smaller ponds. The Fells’ history includes industrial use for timber, pasture, quarrying, ice, and waterpower. The Fells are largely wooded with mixed deciduous and coniferous second-growth forests that include a hemlock taiga and a sturdy grove of pines at Virginia Wood, and a red pine monoculture surrounding the Winchester reservoirs. A 10-acre meadow is in the Sheepfold area, with several smaller open fields and areas of low, secondary growth.

The site is an important migratory stopover or seasonal concentration site for migratory land birds (e.g., warblers).

Notable Trails

The AllTrails website has a description and map of a hike at Pinnacle Rock.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Entrance fee

Content from Middlesex Fells Reservation Official Website

Last updated January 5, 2024