Charles River Greenway, Massachusetts, United States

5captbrad617 5:00 PM Sep 22, 2018

Urban Legacy Landmark
The trails that line both sides of the Charles River from the estuary at the dam where it flows into the harbor winding all the way up to Waltham was initially created by Frederick Olmstead in the later 1800's as a landscaped promenade in Boston on reclaimed riverside land. Extended and tenaciously preserved over the years to create a unique urban riverside park that is enjoyed by thousands every week. Paved and natural trails with benches and docks, playgrounds and memorials amongst open lawns and wooded spaces allows pleasing changing vistas and environments along the ways. Amenities of the city are never far away, but quiet seclusion can still be found on the busiest of summer days. Biking is the best way to experience it all in total, though a dedicated walker can easily traverse the most of it in a long day. Of course, being ON the river offers it's own unique perspective, from sailing.peapods, Ducktours.and serene lunch cruises, in the wide open, breezy lower basin, through pleasing bridges, or in kayaks and rowing shells up into the winding, wilder upper reaches, narrowing up to the dam beyond Watertown. The justly named Emerald Necklace adorns the cityscape, a worthy, quiet and essential exploration experience of this world city, nothing like it anywhere.

4Trail793698 5:00 PM Feb 21, 2019

Lots of Car noise, many street crossings, and Canadian Geese..
Its paved and long....but not particularly pleasant. You are less than 50 feet from very busy roads most of the way, and the Canadian Geese can be in the way. In the winter, the restrooms are all closed and locked. They do keep it plowed, but on warm days, a lot of water will re-cover the surfaces, and on cold nights, re-freeze. If you live there, its Ok. If you are looking for a good bike trail, look elsewhere.