Hiking Areas and Trail Maps
1. Artichoke River Woods trails
These trails traverse 46 acres teeming with wildlife, including red fox, gray fox, deer, turkeys, fishers, bobcats, weasels, mink, owls, wood ducks, pileated woodpeckers, and coyotes. Amid the mature forests of pine, oak, hickory and juniper trees are about a mile of well-preserved stone walls that were constructed in the mid-1800s to fence in cattle.
Click here for more information about Artichoke River Woods. Click here for a map of its wonderful new trails. (Posted 2/28/2024)
2. Mill Pond & Pipestave Hill
Multi use trails of varying length, type and difficulty. This is the largest trail network in West Newbury and is 270 acres in size. Most trails are marked and maintained. Popular with dogs and horses and skating on the pond in winter. Trails are linked across Route 113 to Riverbend and the Page School. Maps are available at kiosks located at Mill Pond and Pipestave Hill parking lots.
Click here for the trail map.
3. Riverbend & Page School
Outstanding walk along Merrimack River shoreline and throughout the Riverbend Conservation Area. Watch for bald eagles and great blue herons. Route connects River Road across the Indian River to Way-to-the-River Rd (1/2 mile). Trails go to a large open field and beyond connecting to Route 113 near the Page School and over to the Indian River dam ruins. New trails and bridges added in 2014 connect Riverbend West from the dam to Coffin Street.
Click here for the trail map.
4. River Road Preservation Area
A .96 mile double loop trail completed in December, 2021 winds through these 31 acres of woodlands that includes stone walls, gentle rises, a birch grove and the Coffin stream which comprises its western border. Artifacts from indigenous peoples have been found here. River Road runs along the Merrimack River where ingenous people lived and fished. Bald eagles perch, fish and soar along this stretch of the river.
Click here for map.
5. Dunn Field
Purchased by the Town of West Newbury for municiple use with help from a State grant in 2002, Dunn Field contains over 70 acres of active farm land and forest. Trails connect to Pipestave Hill athletic fields and to Chase Street with access to the Ocean Meadow development.
Click here for the trail map.
6. Withers Conservation Area
Contains 24 acres of town-owned conservation land acquired in 1969. Withers Conservation Area offers scenic, shoreline views along the Upper Artichoke Reservoir and connects to a loop thru the forest. Fishing is permitted. Access trail using right-of-way next to Insight Meditation Center on Middle Street or park across the bridge on Plumber Spring Road in Newburyport.
Click here for the trail map.
7. Atherton Trail & Pikes Bridge Road
Enter the Atherton Trail accross the street from Greenbelt's parking lot on Indian Hill Road. Connects to Pikes Bridge Road, a quiet woods road connecting Garden Street to Turkey Hill Road. The road has changed little since colonial times and offers a scenic 1/2 mile walk past the Artichoke River. In May 2014, the 23 acre Atherton land was put into conservation. $25,000 in Town CPA funds were used to help with the purchase. See Daily News, April 2014 and links below for details.
Click here for the Atherton Trail Map
8. Indian Hill Conservation Area
Contains 315 acres of land acquired by Greenbelt. Trailhead located at parking lot located on Indian Hill Road. Short but steep 1/4 mile walk up hill provides scenic views of Newburyport and ocean (in winter). Large stone walls still remain, once used to support formal gardens. From the summit, a series of trails descend and connect near dam along shoreline of Indian Hill Reservoir. Take shoreline walk to Moulton Street or use Greenbelt's Walker Trail to reach the South Street Woodlots Trail.
Click here for the Indian Hill Conservation area.
9. Indian Hill Reservoir
Walk or bike the 1 mile paved road to reach the dam. From there, a trail hugs the shoreline and enters a network of trails going up to the summit of Indian Hill. No boating or swimming. Fishing is permitted on the shoreline. The reservoir is part of Newburyport's public water supply. The lake has easy public access all along Moulton Street.
Click here for the Indian Hill Reservoir map.
10. South Street Woodlots Trail
Property owned by Essex County Greenbelt. This site features a new trail constructed in 2013 on four contiguous parcels of conserved land, totaling 30 acres. The trail is about a mile in length and includes 3 sections of boardwalk through wetlands, each between 100 and 140 feet long. The "Cliff" and other large bedrock outcrops found in this forest are part of the Clinton-Newbury Fault.
Click here for the South Street Woodlots trail map.
11. Ordway Reservation
Essex County Greenbelt's Ordway Reservation contains 55 acres of woods near Interstate 95. The property is located along the edge of the historic Common Pasture and supports a diversity of wildlife habitat, including open fields, upland forest and extensive freshwater marshlands.
Click here for Ordway Reservation map
12. Quaker Cemetery
Short, one minute walk passing through an old cemetery, grown over by forest. Trail leads to the Upper Artichoke Reservoir. Great views of the lake along the shoreline. Popular spot for fishing. Take the 'Fisherman's Trail' to avoid walking through the tombstones. Quaker Cemetery is located on Turkey Hill Road, next to the Newburyport city line. No boating or swimming.
13. Crane Pond Wildlife Management Area
Protected headwaters of the Parker River, this huge forest stretches across the towns of West Newbury, Newbury, Groveland and Georgetown. The trails are unmarked, so take a map or compass if venturing far. Great for mountain biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Popular too for birding and other wildlife observation. Hunting is permitted (except on Sundays), so wear orange when entering these woods. In West Newbury, parking is available at the end of Georgetown Road near the Groveland town line.
Click here for the Crane Pond Wildlife Management Area Trail Map
14. Brake Hill & Groveland Town Forest
Highest point in West Newbury (Elev. 258'). From Hill Top Circle, the main trail leads through the red gate and up a gravel road to a water tower. Several trails veer left off the gravel road into the Craven Woods, which then connect to a loop extending into the Groveland Town Forest. Parking available along the street near 19 Hill Top Circle or on Brake Hill Terrace near Route 113.
Click here for the Brake Hill & Groveland Town Forest trail map.
15. Chestnut Hill Farm Reservation
Protected by a conservation restriction in 2007, this site features easy walking on grass pathways with river views from the overlook. This is also another good birding site, with access to the Merrimack shoreline. Parking lot is located at end of Farm Lane. The public space lies beyond the parking area and east of the house. No dogs, horses, bikes, fishing, hunting or boating allowed please.
Click here for the Chesnut Hill Farm trail map.
16. River Meadow Conservation Area and Whetstone Greenway
Part of the Whetstone Greenway, this small parcel was set aside for open space when the neighborhood was first developed and provides public access to the Merrimack River. The shoreline features large shaded trees and is suitable for kayaks or canoes when the tide is high. Please respect private property and do not access the easement with the community dock.
Click here for the Whetstone Greenway map.
17. Mullen Woods
The 34 acre Mullen Property features a trail loop connecting Church Street to Main Street. A short 20 to 30 minute walk passes thru a scenic forest and up a ridge behind Prospect Street. Park and access the trail at the Carr Post building on Main Street (also called the American Legion).
Click here for the Mullen Woods Trail Map
18. Ferry Lane Park & State Boat Ramp
Located at the corner of Church and Bridge Street next to the Rocks Village Bridge, this site provides public access to the Merrimack River and is a popular spot to picnic or to fish for shad and stripped bass in Spring. The existing boat ramp is in poor condition and parking for boat trailers is limited. Beginning in 2014, the Selectmen have assigned a task force to work with town residents and the Massachusetts Fish & Game Dept. to see what options are best to improve this area.
Click here for map.