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Tags:
Level: Intermediate
Length: 8 mi (12.9 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Loop
Elevation: +313/ -271 ft
Total: 163 riders
Mountain Biking Middlesex Fells Reservation
#7 of 223 mountain bike trails in Massachusetts
The Fells offers a ton of variety in its biking, but to really capture it, you need to do the 8-mile mountain bike loop that goes all the way around the reservation. This has lots of gravely fire road, rocky and rooted singletrack, some tough climbs, a few small wooden bridges... all kinds of stuff. All in all, a really good ride. Next time you go back after you've done the loop, try out some of the random single track trails you can find!
First added by Fitch on Sep 13, 2005. Last updated May 11, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: unknown
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
From North: take 93 South to exit 35. At the stop sign, take a left under the hightway. At the next stop sign take a right, and at the first set of lights (rt28) take a right for Sheepfold enterance.
From South: take 93 North to exit 33(RT28N) for Sheepfold or proceed halfway around rotary and take South Border Road for Bellevue Pond.
Middlesex Fells contains around 2,200 acres of recreational land located in Malden, Medford, Melrose, Stoneham, and Winchester, Massachusetts. This area is the closest spot to Boston for some decent riding and is a great spot to stretch the legs and get some climbing in with around 1,500' of elevation on an average ride. The best trail are strewn about, so explore a bit and keep searching to find the good rips, or find a local and get a tour! Be weary that there are a lot of hikers, dogs, and illegal trails for mountain bikers, so follow the signage and check the rules to avoid conflict. Enjoy the video and let me know what you think! I post new videos from different spots in the Northeast every Monday, so be sure to subscribe for more! Link: https://youtu.be/bD0vyBD5u78
| ThankThis trail is one of my personal favorites for mountain biking. The scenery is wonderful with the dog park and the reservoir, and the trails that I rode were very technical with several hills, rocks and roots. Not all of the trails are like this, and those ones are perfect for a rider with less experience. Overall, I would recommend this to any rider of any level, but as most people know, beginners should stay in the easier trails, and the more experienced riders should ride in the harder trails.
| ThankMiddlesex fells is comprised of a fairly complex trail system that is interconnected by a system of service roads. The trails range from intermediate (which are open to hikers and bikers) to very technical (which are closed to bikers). This is where the problem with the fells comes into play. The bikers at the fells are as protective of their trails as a father is of his 15 year old daughter. I live about 4.5 miles from the fells, so I ride there quite often, and have a lot of fun, but I tend to find myself riding on trails that aren't technically approved for bikes. Sure you can ride the bike loop ( mostly comprised of service roads and intermediate trails) and have an ok time, but it's not near as much fun as having free run of the place ( which come with a lot of dirty looks and smart a## comments.
| ThankThe Fells had a wide variety of riding options and difficulty levels - something for everyone.
| ThankRode the Fells today with my son. We got there at around 1 pm and it was pretty deserted. Although it was hot, we had a great time. My son had never ridden the Fells and really enjoyed his first time. It seemed we climbed a lot more than we went down but my trusty map my ride app tells me it's just about even and the last mile was all down and no up. I guess as far as the weekends go, show up early afternoon and you'll have the place all to yourself. In my opinion still the best place to ride around here.
| ThankThe Fells was an OK ride. I stuck to the mountain bike loop so I wouldn't get lost for my first time, and I got bored of the marked mountain bike loop after a couple of miles. I didn't go to the other side of the park, however.
| ThankChecked out the fells after not riding in a while. The green loop all the way around is great. Mix of single track, roots, rocks, and a bit of fire road action. There are a few climbs, but most are gradual. Careful on the trails because it is easy to get mixed up. I was on a hard tail rental 27.5 which worked out nicely, but I saw a few riders with full suspension out, which seemed great for some of the more technical areas. Not many jumps or drops, but still a ton of fun and beautiful around the reservoirs. Dog friendly, so keep an eye out!
| ThankI love riding the Fells. I have ridden there since I was a kid. I just started riding again having not for about 8 years due to life getting in the way. That being said it has changed since the days I knew my way around but at the same time it hasn't. There is still plenty of nice technical up and downhill section plus some great single track. The biggest change are all the trail runners you encounter on a weekend ride. It is still my favorite place to ride and have fun. It has been a great test for my rebuilt 2003 Gian Warp DS3. I have replace every thing on this bike but the actual frame and it has handled everything the Fells has to give it. Now if my skills can just get back to where they were 10 years ago I'll have even more fun.
| ThankNice trails...I see some red fox! Médium level...
| Thankeasy access in bike
I absolutely love this place. I ride it every couple of weekends. The mountain bike loop is fun. Great scenery to take in and perhaps take some photos.
Nice mix of doubletrack and random singletracks. As i got to know the place more, i started going down random trails everywhere. Awesome place.
| ThankThe Fells has received a lot of NEMBA attention over the past few years, and doing the MTB loop this past Sunday (MBAS NEMBA ride), it made me appreciate the work much more. Maps and parking are still elusive unless "you're in the know," but the riding is truly varied, and the new NEMBA trail built is really a great fun climb using natural features!
| ThankI had a great time on this trail. It is deceiving - it low relief compared to the north GA trails I ride-- but you have to work down hill and up. It's certainly not a beginners trail and it's very beautiful Nice rocks and roots and good technical nuances. Not quite isolated because you can hear the highway, but some of the prettiest trails I've ridden- big maples, beech,rocks and roots. I hope to ride it again.
| ThankHad a good time even with the heat, wish they had a spot with trail maps tho.
Couldn't find anything to tech but the switchbacks were a fun time.
Try to break away from the mtb for more tech stuff* Review edited 11/28/2011
| ThankFun trail, even though i made it only half way around. some tough climbs (i'm a newbie) in my opinion. Lot of rooted trails with loose stones 4-6" on many of the downhills, and it was big enough that you weren't crossing paths with other bikers/hikers too often. Frequent trail crossings though, so a map would be helpful if your you're not familiar.
| ThankFun trail, even though i made it only half way around. some tough climbs (i'm a newbie) in my opinion. Lot of rooted trails with loose stones 4-6" on many of the downhills, and it was big enough that you weren't crossing paths with other bikers/hikers too often. Frequent trail crossings though, so a map would be helpful if your you're not familiar.
| ThankGreat system. Got lost for a bit without trail map. But had a great mix of single track, up hill and some nice technical stuff.
| ThankTrails closed from 1/1 - 4/15
| ThankFun riding! Go to the sheepfold entrance, there is far more parking available there. Also, right out of the parking lots, are a few different entrances to the loop trail. The loop trail is a lot of fire road and double track where you can absolutely fly... good times.
| ThankHas a great little 45 minute - 1.5 hour loop, with a lot of variety in the terrain. Fast, pedally sections, technical climbs and decents. Great mix.
| ThankGreat trails, from beginner to advanced. Good place to check out the full range of your suspension or have a smooth easy ride. Lots of double track.
| Thank