The Reservation's managers have done a great job of designing a wonderful bike Loop (identified by red signs posted on trees along the way) that follows the outer perimeter of the Western Fells and therefore makes the most of the diverse scenery of the Reservation.

From the parking lot, take the main trail, leaving Bellevue Pond on your left and just follow the red signs! Be careful to identify Bike Loop signs as you proceed – you may lose the trail easily if you do not pay attention.

The loop follows mostly fire roads where you can ride easily, but some short sections are technical and people new to mountain biking may want to walk their bike through them. In particular, you will cross a few brooks on small wooden bridges. Overall, though, the Loop is an exciting ride with some challenges but few difficulties, where people from all abilities will have fun in a truly exceptional setting. On sunny days, you may want to stop near some of the water supply lakes (the North, Middle and South Reservoirs) and just enjoy the silence and the light filtering through the tall trees.

Though you can ride elsewhere in the Reservation, please note that only the large fire roads are open to bikers – but there are many of them. All single-track trails (used by hikers) are closed to bikers, though only some of them have signs that explicitly prohibit that use. Please respect this policy and have it respected in the Reservation if you see people breaking the law – riding on narrow trails results in increased conflicts with hikers, and more importantly, accelerated erosion to the soil and trail damage.

Always be courteous to walkers, hikers and horse riders by slowing down when passing them and leaving enough space between you and them. Allow for about 2:30 hours to complete the ride.

Allow for about 2 1/2 hours to complete the ride.

If you like the Fells and want to explore it thoroughly by foot, check our other great destinations in the Reservation:
– The Skyline Trail at Middlesex Fells
– Walking around the South Reservoir at
Middlesex Fells
– Walking in the South End of Middlesex Fells