The best walks and hikes in Diamond Hill State Park

The Yellow Trail is a popular short loop on the northern end of the Blackall Family Preserve and Ballou Farm Preserve. It is most easily accessed via the Old West Wrentham Trailhead, but can also be accessed from the Powerline Trailhead and linked with other trails here to extend your hike. While this is a generally easy trail through the woods, it can get quite muddy in the spring and after rain so prepare accordingly.

The Blackall Family and Ballou Farm Preserve in Cumberland features 3 miles of moderate trails with well-marked and maintained paths. Opened to the public in 2017, the preserve includes some remnants of the old farms and homesteads that once stood on the property; there are old pastures, wood lots, stone walls, cart paths, and old overgrown apple orchard. Leashed dogs are allowed, but bicycles and horses are not. Trail conditions can vary, with some areas becoming quite muddy after rain.

The Mercy Woods Preserve is a small wooded preserve with two primary hiking loops. Dogs are allowed, but must be leashed. The Mercy Loop is relatively easy hike on a wide trail with gently rolling hills. It is marked with a yellow blaze. At the southeastern tip of the loop you get a great view overlooking the forest and reservoir. The other primary trail is the blue blazed Ridge Trail. It is a more challenging hike along several steep ridges. The Ridge Trail has vistas at the southeast and northeast sections and great views.

Sylvys Brook Park is a small protected wetland just north of Diamond Hill Park. This is a lovely area to explore as you hike around the old ski area.

Catamint Hill is a 520 foot hill in the Diamond Hill Reservation. It is often reached by hiking the the 84-acre Catamint Brook Preserve, which is primarily accessed via a trailhead on Tower Hill Road, or through the dense network of trails through the Diamond Hill Reservation. If you are hiking to Catamint Hill during hunting season, please remember to wear bright orange because in the Diamond Hill Reserve hunting is allowed.

Diamond Hill Reservation is directly across the road from Diamond Hill Park, a former ski resort turned park. Diamond Hill Reservation is larger than the park and has a large network of hiking and mountain biking trails. Right next to the Diamond Hill Road entrance to the reservation is a popular ice cream spot, which is a great place to stop after a long summer hike.

Diamond Hill Preserve, located in northeast Cumberland, Rhode Island, was originally a ski area developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps and a former mining site. It gets its name from the glistening mica found in its rocks. The ski operations at Diamond Hill ceased in the mid-1980s due to poor winter seasons, and in the mid-1990s, the Town of Cumberland took over its management. Today, Diamond Hill Town Park offers 3.8 miles of marked trails that are popular among hikers for their challenging steep climbs, especially the 350-foot elevation gain up the 'Big Hill,' an old ski slope. From the peak of the hill, hikers can enjoy a view extending to Boston on clear days. Dogs are welcome in the park but must be kept on a leash, and owners are required to clean up after them.