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Chestnut Hill Reservation
4.8 ★★★★★ 348 Google reviews · Running trail in Brighton, Massachusetts · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Chestnut Hill Reservation's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Reservoir surrounded by trees and trails, popular for joggers, cyclists and dog-walkers.
What runners say about Chestnut Hill Reservation
“Beautiful track to get you to the step count set by walking, jogging, strolling.”
“The path around the reservoir is ideal for running, well maintained, and is exactly 1.”
This is a really nice place for a walk, run or just to sit and enjoy a nice view. The sunsets here are really nice regardless of the time of year and it’s open year round. They keep it pretty clean even when it’s snowed. I’ve been coming here since last year and am recently disabled.
The Chestnut Hill Reservation and Chestnut Hill Reservoir is a treasure in Brighton and one of the defining features of the Cleveland Circle/Boston College areas. This park features some of the best views of sunsets in all of Boston. The path around the reservoir is ideal for running, well maintained, and is exactly 1.
A beautiful place to walk around or noticed little trails inside the forest . Parking is limited but they have parking 🅿️ areas depending on which side you enter . They do have also a parking lot on the main entrance . I didn’t notice a bathroom .
Lovely place to run along the track and reservoir. Lots of water birds to watch as you exercise. Very peaceful, relaxing and calming place to be.
Trail conditions & character
“Very nice view, a little windy but good for jogging, walking around, and just enjoying the nature”
“Parking is available on Beacon Street, and a small parking lot near the swimming pool and rink can be used by visitors.”
“Once you get into the loop, it’s all nice and flat.”
“The Chestnut Hill Reservation and Chestnut Hill Reservoir is a treasure in Brighton and one of the defining features of the Cleveland Circle/Boston College areas.”
“It’s pretty nice in the afternoon a lot of people go running and take their dogs to walk there.”
“It was a little muddy in places and icy in others but it was pretty to see the water frozen over.”
“Maybe somewhere between 20-30 and there are atleast two paved walking trail leading up to the tightly packed gravel path that loops around the reservation.”
“Good place for the runners but haven’t found any public restrooms near by though.”
Plan your run at Chestnut Hill Reservation
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitemass.gov
- Phone(617) 333-7404
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–7 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–7 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–7 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–7 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–7 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–7 PM |
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