TRI-COMMUNITY GREENWAY:
STONEHAM-WINCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: May 9, 2025
Length: Tri-Community Greenway; 5.4 miles
Horn Pond Brook Bike Path Route; 1.3 miles
Horn Pond Loop Trail; 2 mile Loop
Difficulty: Easy. Flat paved rail trail with some on-road residential sections.
Directions:
To Start from the Wedgemere Station parking lot [Southern End]; From the junction of Routes 2 & 3 (Alewife Brook Pkwy) travel north on Route 3 (Alewife Brook Pkwy) [Fee; $1 per hr 7 am and 6 pm M-F, maximum charge $5 per day. Otherwise Free]
To Start from the Wedgemere Station parking lot [Southern End];
The Tri-Community Greenway starts from the MBTA Wedgemere Station in Winchester and travels Northeast, through Woburn and East, through Stoneham. The trail parallels the active MBTA rail line through Winchester and Woburn. It then follows the route of the old 1863 Stoneham Branch of the Boston & Lowell Railroad, which was originally built to serve Stoneham’s shoe factories and provide passenger service. From its Southern End in Winchester, you can access the Mystic River Paths that follow the Mystic River South, alongside the Mystic Valley Pkwy. In Winchester you can also access the Horn Pond Bike Path Route (includes on-road sections), which takes you Northwest, to Horn Pond in Woburn, where you can access the Horn Pond Loop Trail which circles the pond.
Tri-Community Greenway:
Starting from the Wedgemere Station parking lot [Southern End]; Travel through the opening underneath the RR Station and tracks to the Eastern Side of the tracks, where a paved trail takes you across Bacon St to the start of the Tri-Community Greenway. Granite 0 MILE MARKER located here. These Mile Markers are located at most street crossings. The paved trail travels North, through Ginn Field, past the Ginn Field parking lot and briefly on-road, to the trail alongside Aberjona River. You'll pass by the Winchester Station and come to Waterfield Rd at 0.5 miles. Map Board. The trail continues straight ahead (crosswalks located to both your right and left) following a narrow paved trail alongside the river out to and across Main St. A small circular dam forms Mill Pond here. Continue along a brick lined path that turns to pavement before bringing you out to Mt Vernon St. Head right across the river to a crosswalk over Mt Vernon St, then left back to the trailhead on your right. The paved trail continues North, alongside the river, past Judkins Pond and across Skillings Rd. Here the trail travels alongside the road, past Winchester HS and back to the active rail line, where you turns right, just below the RR line, bringing you to a tunnel (under the rail line) at 1.1 miles.
Note; The Horn Pond Bike Path travels through the tunnel. See Below.
The trail continues out to Spruce St and the start of a 0.5 mile on-road (residential) section. Green "Bike Route" signs. Continue straight, along Spruce St and take your first left, North, up Holland St. At the end of Holland, use the crosswalk, head right, then left, North, along Florence St, out to Irving St. Turn left and you'll pick up the paved trail again on your right at 1.6 miles. The trail travels North, past the Muraco Elementary School and through its parking lot. You'll pass by Leonard Field on your right and Chester Pond on your left before coming alongside the river. Come to Cross St and head left, across the river, then right back along the trail through Davidson Park. The trail turns East, bringing you to Washington St at 2.5 miles. Travel left, North, along the wide sidewalk. The wide sidewalk ends at D St (next to Calvary Cemetery). Travel left, on-road (low volume traffic) between the cemetery and turn right on Central St. Exit the cemetery and continue on-road (residential). Pass by Leland Park and just past Grape St you'll pick up the paved trail on your right. Trail travels East, back out to and across Washington St at 3.4 miles, where the trail continues. Cross over the Aberjona River, then travel underneath I-93 and across Maple St at 4 miles. The trail follows a ridge Northeast, out to and across Montville Ave. A few more street crossings brings you out to Main St (commercial district). [West Side Trailhead] The old rail bed would have continued straight, through a parking lot for a plaza, but there is no crosswalk located here.
Note; This is the trickiest section of the trail. Use Caution with kids on bikes.
The Map shows the route as heading left, to Elm St, however, if biking you would be riding against traffic (sidewalk available). I would recommend traveling right, on-road (sidewalk available) to William St and a crosswalk over Main St. A wide sidewalk will quickly bring you to Central St and another crosswalk. Head left, on-road (sidewalk available) and you'll pick up the paved trail [East Side Trailhead] on your right after 0.25 miles.
If you are coming from the East [East Side Trailhead], I would travel right, on-road (sidewalk available) along Central St to Elm St and head left (crosswalks) to Main St (crosswalk). Then left, on-road (sidewalk available) along Main St, picking up the trail [West Side Trailhead] on your right after 0.2 miles.
Continuing from Central St [East Side Trailhead] the paved trail travels Southeast, alongside Railroad Way. Cross Pomworth St and continue South, followed by Pleasant St, before the trail ends at Gould St after 5.4 miles. Map Board. The rail bed continues straight to Recreation Park, where it disappears. Parking at the Southern End of Recreation Park.
Note; If you exit the parking lot to Franklin St and travel right to Pine St, you can still see the old Stoneham Depot on your right.
Horn Pond Bike Path Route:
Starting from the Tri-Community Greenway next to Winchester HS [Southeastern End]; [Re-zeroing Mileage] Travel through the tunnel underneath the MBTA tracks to Ciarcia Field parking lot. Head left, along the wide paved trail out to Skillings Rd and continue right. This brings you to the intersection of Skillings, Main and Lake St. Follow the crosswalk over to Lake St, where you'll pick up the wide, paved Horn Pond Bike Path Route on your right. Map Board. This shaded corridor travels Northwest, along Horn Pond Brook, out to a cul-de-sac. Travel on-road (residential) out to Middlesex St and continue right. Middlesex St becomes Sylvester Ave. The street dead ends. Here, you'll pick up a short paved trail at 1 mile, that travels through the woods to Lake Terrace. Continue on-road (residential), up to *Lake Ave & Lake Terrace. Horn Pond Recreation Area is across the street. Head left, on-road (sidewalk available) and you'll come to the Horn Pond Boat Launch parking lot (restrooms) on your right after 1.3 miles and the start of the Horn Pond Loop Trail.
Horn Pond Loop Trail:
Starting from the Horn Pond Boat Launch parking lot in Woburn [Southern End]; [Re-zeroing Mileage] Woburn Municipal Waterworks Museum located here. From the parking lot entrance, the wide, cement Horn Pond Loop Trail, travels through a grove of trees, past the Pumping Station. Head right, briefly along the park road, where the paved trail will take you Southeast, past a Map Board, to an intersection.
Note; Left, South, a Spur Trail leads 0.3 miles to Pond St.
Continue right, North, along an old road through the woods, along the Western Side of the pond.. Side trails and spurs off the main road. Pass by Lions Park, with benches and a gazebo. Come to an intersection at 0.8 miles.
Note; Left, West, is the start of the Lagoon Loop Trail. I haven't checked out this trail.
Continue straight, across a causeway, between the pond and Lagoon, to the Northern End of the pond. Head right, East, over a little red bridge to a sidewalk along Sturgis St. This takes you past Ice House Park to a boat launch at 1.2 miles. Here, a wide dirt and gravel trail travels South, along the Eastern Side of the pond, through Hudson Grove. Come to Arlington Rd at 1.5 miles. Here you'll need to travel on-road (sidewalk available). Across the street is Clapp Park. Return to the intersection of *Lake Ave & Lake Terrace at 1.9 miles. Continue right, West, along the Southern End of the pond, returning to the Horn Pond Boat Launch parking lot after a 2 mile Loop.
HH
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