Mount Misery is the largest conservation area in Lincoln, with 227 acres of agricultural fields, woods, hills, and ponds. Farm fields near Old Concord Road meet shady woods on top of the hill, and descend to shrubby wetlands along the Sudbury River.
Mount Misery was privately owned until 1969 when the Town of Lincoln purchased the property and the neighboring Codman Estate. With this property conserved, Lincoln protected an important ecological corridor connecting Walden Pond and Adams Woods (to the north), Codman (to the east), and Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (to the south).
Suggested Route
Park at the Mount Misery parking lot on Route 117. There is overflow parking at Canoe Landing, which is about half a mile east of the main lot on Route 117. This route takes you by the large pond and the Scotch Pines, European Larches, and White Pines planted by Charles Francis Adams. Continue by the old dam and sawmill site. Circle the Mount to the right and pass by the marsh and agricultural fields near Old Concord Road. Turn left to climb to the summit. Take the steep descent from the summit and turn right at the bottom of the Mount to walk by Terrapin Lake, a kettle hole that was used to cultivate cranberries until the early 1990s. Follow the main trail back to the parking lot. Route is approximately 2 miles with well-maintained trails. Elevation gain to the top of the Mount is approximately 100 feet.
Location
A main parking lot is located along Route 117. Overflow parking lot is located at the Canoe Landing, which is 0.5 miles east of the main lot, near the Sudbury River Bridge.Parking: Ample
Trails
A canoe landing along the Sudbury River provides access for canoes, kayaks, and other small boats. No swimming. Dogs must be leashed in fields, parking lots, and on main trails. There are road and trail connections to Adams Woods, Codman, and Farrar Pond.Difficulty
ModerateActivities
- Walking
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Birding
- Wildlife Viewing