Charles River Reservation – Heart Healthy Trail

Pretty decent for bird watching and checking out some wildlife. In addition to the river regulars, beaver recently moved in and I’ve seen Godzilla waking around. You can do a loop from Galen to Bridge street that’s about 2 miles. It’s nice that it’s paved but on the Watertown side, since they built a bunch of luxury apartment complexes, the path is riddled with dog poop. Over privileged yuppies don’t clean up after themselves.

Great walking and biking trail from Watertown Square to Moody Street in Waltham. Info and photos at
and

Super beautiful trail for those looking for a nice nature walk in the Boston area. I enjoy getting out and seeing birds and squirs instead if concrete parking lots and busy highways. Always up for a stroll down the path from Watertown up towards Waltham.
Take a picnic lunch and you are sure to have a nice afternoon.

What a gem if you live in Brighton! I discovered a 4 plus mile loop of this trail with my dog. I live in the Oak Square area, so I take Brooks St. to the River and cross there, and head west to Watertown and cross the bridge at Watertown Station to Nonantum and back to Brooks. I take the lower-​no-​bikes-​allowed trail that is closer to the river. It’s not as well-​paved as the sidewalk above, but the views and wildlife immersion is worth it. (I spotted a blue heron and many graceful swans – and this was in winter!)
The Nonantum side of the river has a wide bike and walking/​runner path and I usually greet so many happy cheerful people. Good urban respite and great mood lifter.

A wonderful trail that is a little less crowded than the Charles River trails closer to downtown. I think it starts at the end of Brooks Street in Brighton and continues down to Newton, where you can cross over to Watertown and loop back. The trail is well taken care-​of, with smooth paving marked with biking lines. On the opposite side of the trail (Watertown side), you have the option of taking the paved trail or the dirt trail.
Beautiful views of the river and canoers, with places to park all around.

I have searched and can not find a listing for this Charles River Reservation/​MDC/​dcr-​Heart Healthy trail, so here is my review. I am only reviewing the portion of the walk that is part of the Watertown/​Newton route. There are other routes (see website or go to
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I started a weight loss program last spring AND gave up my club membership at the same time. I needed to find something that could give me a workout and be outdoors. Then I remembered this walkway in Watertown Sqaure on Galen Street (the address above is the building next to it). I am ashamed to say that I have lived in Watertown for 20 years and only just «discovered» this trail last year. From my house thru the square on the trail, cross over on Bridge Street, left onto California St (in Newton) and back around is 3 miles for me. 45 lbs later, I have experienced every nuance with the passing seasons — the herons, the other birds like the yellow finch, the turtles, the dam with the fish jumping upstream (and the evil seagulls waiting to catch), the foliage and my dog friend who I say «hi» to at the «20 minutes to until home» mark.
This is a wonderful resource and so glad that it exists.