Thought I would add a review as the latest review was from 2002 and I moved to Mass in 2006. Ward is a fun place to ride, lots of flowy singletrack & doubletrack with some nice climbs with views into Boston (Holt Hill) or towards Gloucester (Boston Hill). Your never too far away from the parking lot if you have any issue. A number of new trails and bridges have been added over the past two years.

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The place is small enough to hit just about every trail on a 1.5 ride, so try them all.

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HP but it requires more techinical skill. I ride both regularly but Ward has more flow.

I live at the bottom of this trail and have been riding here for 12 years.I find that it is great compaired to other trails locally. There is great climbing on both Boston Hill and Holt Hill and there are numerous loops here. However expect max 1 1/2 hours here, then ride down the street to Harold Parker which is less than a mile down the road.

Expect: Easy to Moderate Climbing, Fast Downhills, Rock Gardens, Fast Single Track, Fire Roads, Water Splashes, Bridges, Great Views, Wildlife (Deer,Beaver,Hawks,Owls,) Easy access to AVIS Trials and Harold Parker.

Decent mix of trails- mostly single track- some flat, some rooty. I went on one of the rooty trails after a rainy day- bad move. Overall not a bad place- pretty hilly, mostly smooth single track, decent workout. Not very technical when dry.

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Go anywhere

Overall nice spot for short ride close to Boston area.
Easy to get to and userfriendly. Trails vary from hilly technical sections to flat easy stuff. Not many bikers seem to know this spot and seems like mostly local hikers use these trails, so be polite if on a Bike. A place to spend a nice few hours with some nice views of Boston.

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Anywhere,
Go to Boston Hill section for more technical trails,

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Harold Parker, A bit more crowded but more terrain.

the Ward Reservation has nice rides for beginners as well as some serious lung burners if you are so inclined. for the firey-est lung burning -- park at the base of Boston Hill and head up the trail to the left of the government installation's paved road. go up the ski trails and back down towards Holt Hill (reverse the "recommended route," above). go straight up the side of Holt Hill towards the field with the solstace stones. get there then wend your way back again along the often muddy lower trails. get pumped - there are surprisingly good rides up here!

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from the parking area head to the top of Holt Hill near the solstace stones. the view is great and you then have a choice of several downhill routes. The one I like is to head towards Boston Hill - this provides some rocky and woodsy downhill sections and a fun climb. get yourself to the top of Boston Hill (among the ski trails) for some more great views and head back again - there are several routes to choose from.

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don't miss Lynn Woods. Boxford State Forest has some good rides around Bald Hill.

A very pleasant place to ride. I highly recommended it to beginners and intermediate riders alike- fast singletrack, great climbs, and technical trails as well. Definitely ride Sanborn,Shrub,Boston,Graham,and Jeff and Eric, in both directions. I learned to ride in these woods. Charles Ward is a good place to bleed and sweat. Please be careful to avoid a belligerent local rider known as "Superman"; he rides a titanium, hardtail,Clark Kent frame and has been known to assault riders of full-suspension bikes. He is essentially harmless and easy to lose. Happy trails!

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Park in the lot at the conclusion of the road that leads to the entrance of Ward. You are now near the base of Holt Hill. Maps are available here if you must know where you are at times. Following the paved road leading to the weather tower, take the second trail on your left (Sanborn trail). Sanborn will provide you with a proper introduction to Ward.

See my detailed review for this and other trails along with my GPS-generated maps at

http://24.147.58.236/sheahome