Red Dot, Eliot Circle, Skyline South, Brookwood, Accord Path (Blue Hills Reservation)

Red Dot, Elliot Circle, Skyline South, Brookwood, Accord Path (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Loop
Distance: 3.2 miles
Elevation: 591 feet
Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge; Blue Hills 125-Mile Challenge

The Hike

Oh boy oh boy! First post-COVID hike. Truly it felt like this day would never come. I remember my first walk after starting to feel better had me feeling like I was 90 years old, but it slowly got easier. From the second I took my first vertical step up the red-dot trail I was in for a journey. I took it slow heading up, and I checked off the side trail that leads to the ski area near 1051 which was a well-welcomed break, and beautiful view. 

I continued my way up to the top thankful that I was (a) not dying and (b) just feeling winded, and not feeling like I was dying. I took the Eliot Circle as a walking break and stumbled upon a couple having a couples moment at the view, so I kept on my way. I headed down the Skyline Trail South for the first time (I've only ever ascended this stretch), and it's much easier to go down this trail than up. At the bottom of the steep climb I turned onto the Brookwood Trail for a wooded descent. 

Then I turned onto the Accord Path which was wooded, pollen-y (I swear I could feel the granules in my body), and very scenic stretch of the hike. It leads to numerous cool rocks, an old pump house (?), some really neat/interesting landscaping (?), and of course crossing the bottom of the ski slopes. 

I made it back to the car in no time, and I was just so happy to be back at it again!

Step-By-Step

• Park at Trailside Museum.
• Start hike at 1023, follow the red dot trail couter-clockwise.
• At 1051, take a detour onto the trail to the Ski Area for a nice view, retrace steps.
• Cross Summit Road to continue on red dot trail towards 1055.
• At 1055, turn right onto Eliot Circle. 
• At 1030, continue on circular trail that is now the Skyline Trail.
• At 1066, Turn right onto Skyline Trail South.
• At 1083, turn right, and immediately turn right again onto unmarked Brookwood Trail. 
• At 1062, turn left and hike to 1081, return.
• Back at 1062, hike down the hill to the road, return.
• Finally, back at 1062, coming up the hill, turn left onto Accord Path. 
• At 1003, continue straight on Accord Path.
• At 1050, quickly hike the section between 1050 and 1002, return.
• Continue hike on Accord Path.
• At 1010, enjoy views of the ski slopes and follow footpath to parking lot. 

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album