Emerson-Thoreau Amble, Massachusetts, United States

4tanners47 5:00 PM Aug 23, 2015

Wonderful walk from Emerson House to Walden Pond
The Emerson-Thoreau Amble is a 1.7 mile path, cutting through woods, wetlands, and fields, from just beyond Emerson's house to the site where Thoreau had his small cabin, about a "block" from Walden pond. It follows the same paths that the two men used to go on as they walked between their homes. The path was inaugurated in June of 2013. It is a natural path of dirt and tree needles, often with tree roots on the path. Crickets can be heard the whole way. It is a relatively easy, mostly flat walk. Only near the beginning is the path narrow and a bit overgrown on the sides. I found the walk very peaceful, and was delighted to get to Walden Pond and the site of Thoreau's house at the end of this walk. It took me 2 hours round trip, including some little stops to enjoy nature, see the house site, and walk a bit around the pond. Only at one place does one have to cross a busy highway--Route 2. For the most park, the path is well-marked. There should be a map of the path at the beginning of the trail. When I got there, all were gone, but I had gotten a may at the Concord Museum, two blocks away, and it proved very helpful The path included going over a bridge at Cargill Ditch, going through the Hapgood Wright Town Forest and going along Fairyland Pond. then it goes through Brister's Spring and edges the Brister's Hill Thoreau Interpretive Path before crossing Route two and walking toward Walden Pond and Thoreau's Cabin Site. Be sure to apply insect repellent. I am from Seattle, so didn't realize I should have applied insect repellent with DEET to protect myself from ticks as there are deer ticks in the area. After a rain storm, it can be a bit muddy, but there are planks that go over the muddier areas. This was really a delightful way to pass a few hours and get to my destination. (I do have lots of photos I could attach!)

5Donne Campbell 5:00 PM Jun 27, 2016

Thoreau's Paradise
Walden Pond is a serene scenic area where Ralph Waldo Emerson reflected in thought and Henry David Thoreau lived in a small cabin for a little over two years taking copious notes on his interactions with nature and the locals who visited him on a regular basis. For Thoreau it was an experiment with nature and we are the beneficiary of his work "Walden". The park service has located the actual site (there is a stone marker) where the cabin was built in the 1800's and have built a replica near the entrance for all to explore. The pond has a path around the circumference that you can walk and enjoy just like Henry and Ralph did in their day. If you want maximum intellectual and emotional impact read "Walden" before or just after the visit. And for the bigger picture read Ralph's "Nature".