Gay Outdoors - Premier Gay and Gay Friendly Men's Outdoor Recreation Club in New England

ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Easy 2.5 mile hike w/possible swim in Breakheart Reservation

Hiking - Easy

DATE: Aug 02, 2026

END DATE: Aug 02, 2026

Event Location: Wakefield MA

Trip Leader(s)

ChrisL
MA - North Shore, MA United States

Meeting Time: 1:30 PM

Max # People: 20

Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money

Difficulty Level:

Easy

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Summary

This is an easy 2.5 mile afternoon hike (with a possible swim) around a small lake in the rear section of the Breakheart Reservation just north of Boston. It is a co-event with Chiltern Mountain Club (also LGBTQ).

A third is on paved fire roads and the rest on trails along the water. It’s 60% in the woods/shaded.

About 3/4s of the way around is a beach we'll stop at. It may be unswimmable/closed due to weeds or bacteria. I'll call the Friday before to see its status.

Towards the end some people often do an optional climb up to the top of a small hill with a a nice view of Boston. It adds about a 1/4 of a mile and 100ft of elevation with a short steep climb. It's easy to bypass if you want to keep it easy.

Anything more than a drizzle will cancel - there’s no rain date planned (although I will also run this hike in September).

Breakheart Reservation info & map - https://www.mass.gov/locations/breakheart-reservation. (From the rear entrance we’ll go counterclockwise around Pierce Lake.)

The address is "100 Hemlock Road, Wakefield MA". That's the address of the Northeast Regional Voc Tech, which shares a lot with the Reservation.

*Directions NOTE > Be sure to note that we're entering the Reservation through the less common rear entrance ("R" on the map in the photo. If you find yourself at "F" (which is where the visitor center is) get to "R" by going back out to the main road and turning right. Turn right at the light and pick up at "The last turn" below.).

Parking is free.

Even if you’re using using GPS please note: At the last turn - the sign for Hemlock Rd isn’t large. The turn is also marked by a largish sign for the Voc Tech and a ball field. (Note that there are also an elementary and a middle school on the main road by the turn - ignore them. The Voc Tech is separate and is up Hemlock behind them.)

Follow Hemlock into the lot at the end. You’ll see the school on the left. The Reservation entrance is at the two stone pillars at the end. Meet to the left of them. I’ll be wearing a beige Yosemite cap (with a round logo).