A walk in the Hapgood Wright Town Forest can be a peaceful experience exploring its many natural features, a world apart from the busy roads just above the ridge. This guide describes these features as well as cultural and historical points of interest. Its environs witnessed the lives of freed slaves who settled here struggling to farm its infertile soil. Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and the Alcott and Emerson children were frequent visitors. Thanks to Thoreau’s written observations, we have a mid-1800s snapshot of the natural features and lives of the people who lived here, broadening our understanding of what we see today.

In 2008, Hapgood Wright Town Forest was chosen to be the first Concord conservation land to use the new trail blaze system. A 2013 trail addition was the Emerson-Thoreau Amble, connecting Heywood Meadow in Concord Center to Thoreau’s cabin at Walden Pond. The Bay Circuit Trail was enhanced by relocating it off Cambridge Turnpike onto the Amble. The Harry Beyer Assessed Trail loop was added in 2013 from the small handicap parking lot through the Brister’s Hill area.

Access with parking for more than 20 vehicles is provided on the east side of Walden Street across from the entrance to Concord-Carlisle High School. Walden Street intersects MA-2 across from MA-126. An information kiosk and sign “Hapgood Wright Town Forest” identifies the site. Additional handicap parking is available approximately 2,000 feet towards MA-2, at the Assessed Trail entrance.

The AllTrails website has a description and map of a hike at Hapgood Wright Forest.