Hemlock Gorge Reservation

July 25, 2019 Sunny

Hemlock Gorge is an interesting park in Newton. The main features are the gorge and Echo Bridge, built by Boston Water Works in 1877, which was the second largest masonry arch in the U. S.

We started from the parking lot off of Central Ave, which leads into a forested trail that heads north toward the boundary with Route 9.

At the lowest point it leads to a bridge that crosses to a small island and which has great views of Echo Bridge.

If you follow along the island you reach a small waterfall and chute.

We continued up Ellis Street on the other side Hemlock Gorge, stopping for a moment to appreciate the large stone arches and to make our own “echo”, which worked really well.

Take the old wooden stairs across the street and you can continue across the top of the bridge, enjoying views to the north and south.

We then returned toward the parking lot, but first took a short side spur that led to the upper part of the gorge and a view of some upper falls on the back of The Mall At Echo Bridge.

Hemlock Gorge packs a lot of variety into a small space and is well worth a visit. It was a pleasure to find trails, waterfalls, a gorge, bridges (large and small), and so many vistas in an urban setting like Newton.

A small park in Newton but with rugged terrain and beautiful views. Be sure to cross the bridge.
It’s a neat place in the middle of Newton, but small.
The site was cool. There was a bridge and a waterfall. Basically what you’d expect.
I liked the bridge and he waterfall. There was a lot of echo(ing.)
I like the lookout. I like the big waterfall.