Quarry, East Dam, & Middle Roads (Middlesex Fells Reservation)

Quarry, East Dam, & Middle Roads (Middlesex Fells Reservation)

Hike Type: Loop

Distance: 2.47 miles

Elevation: 187 feet

Time: 52 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2025

The Hike

I had an hour to kill between the end of the school day and our staff "winter gathering," so back to the fells I went! I didn't have a change of clothes, so I opted for easy hiking with minimal elevation. I made my way over to Bellevue Pond, left all my gear in the car and started my lovely stroll! The afternoon light was shining beautifully as the squirrels were doing who knows what in abundance on Quarry Road. I passed many neat rock/boulder formations - I'm guessing that were once quarried, hence the name of the road? There were some old concrete posts near the end of the road proper, and then the trail turns into a footpath alongside I-93, and then up the side of a hill.

There were lots of criss-crossing paths on the hill, but I eventually found my way to the Skyline Trail, which I followed for a brief moment before taking a spur trail to Red Cross Path. I fear I'm leaning towards starting a redlining challenge in the Fells...

The Red Cross Path was a little wet from the melting needle ice, and then I worked my way on East Dam Road to the dam, and then the trek back via Middle Road. I crossed paths with some runners and bikers, but overall not many people at all. Middle Road traversed a higher, open area before gently descending down by the "Panther Caves," which, in my opinion, sound cooler than they are.

My hike ended by following a footpath from the end of Middle Road back to my car, which made for a lovely, easy loop hike. After, I was off the Great American Beer Hall in Medford, which resulted in a fun evening!

Step-by-Step

- Park at Bellevue Pond.

- Start hike on Quarry Road (Gate 5).

- Follow Quarry Road to its terminus and follow the footpath to D5-5. 

- At D5-5, turn right onto Skyline Trail. 

- At next jct., turn left.

- At terminus, turn right onto Red Cross Path.

- At C5-20, turn left onto East Dam Road.

- Cross South Reservoir Dam.

- At C5-2, turn left onto Middle Road.

- Follow Middle Road to Gate 6. 

- Turn left and follow footpath back to car.

Map of Middlesex Fells Reservation

Photo Album