Spy Pond – Alewife Brook Reservation loop from Alewife Brook Reservation

Running trails & routes

Spy Pond – Alewife Brook Reservation loop from Alewife Brook Reservation

Moderate

3.4

(19)

runners

Spy Pond – Alewife Brook Reservation loop from Alewife Brook Reservation

00:35

5.57km

20m

Running

Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 23, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

730 m

Spy Pond

Highlight • Lake

Spy Pond is a 103-acre freshwater kettle pond located in Arlington, Massachusetts. It formed thousands of years ago during the last Ice Age and is part of the Mystic River watershed. The pond is bordered by Spy Pond Park, which features a playground, picnic areas, and walking paths. The Minuteman Bikeway runs nearby, providing easy access for cyclists and pedestrians. Spy Pond is also a habitat for various wildlife, including fish, birds, and aquatic plants, making it a popular natural area within the suburban landscape of Greater Boston.

Tip by

1.60 km

Uncle Sam Plaza and Samuel Wilson Monument

Highlight • Monument

Uncle Sam Plaza, located in Arlington, Massachusetts, near the Minuteman Bikeway, honors Samuel Wilson, believed to be the inspiration for the national symbol "Uncle Sam." Born on September 13, 1766, near this site—then part of Menotomy—Wilson became a meat packer who supplied the U.S. Army during the War of 1812. His barrels, marked with "U.S.," led soldiers to associate the provisions with "Uncle Sam," personifying the United States. The plaza features a bronze statue of Wilson, sculpted by Theodore Cotillo Barbarossa and installed in 1976 during the U.S. Bicentennial celebrations. Adjacent to the statue is a bronze relief illustrating scenes from Wilson's life, including his roles in Troy, New York, and Mason, New Hampshire.

Tip by

4.03 km

Alewife Brook Reservation

Highlight • Forest

Very close to the city, yet it feels like you're in the middle of the countryside. A visit or stop is definitely worthwhile.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

4.04 km

Alewife Brook Reservation

Highlight • Forest

Alewife Brook Reservation is a 120-acre urban wild in Cambridge and Arlington, Massachusetts, offering a surprising mix of wetlands, woodlands, and paved paths near the Alewife T station. It’s a key green corridor along the Minuteman Bikeway and Fitchburg Cutoff Path, making it popular with cyclists, runners, and commuters. Boardwalks and footpaths wind through marshes where you can spot red-winged blackbirds, herons, and turtles. The reservation also plays a vital role in local flood control and wildlife habitat. While not remote, it offers a welcome dose of nature in the city and easy access to larger trail networks in the region.

Tip by

5.57 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types