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Harold Parker State Forest
16 reviews
3.81 of 5
This second-oldest state park in Massachusetts has plenty of riding opportunities on its approximately 25 miles of trails and fire roads. The roads through this 3,000-acre area wind around a half-dozen ponds, while double- and single- track trails cut through woods and grassy wetlands, passing granite outcroppings and pine-lined ponds. Depending on whether you stay on the woods roads or tackle the trails, a ride can be anywhere from easy to difficult. This moderate ten-mile loop alternates between trails and roads.
The forest is convenient to many cities and towns in northeastern Massachusetts, including Lowell, Lawrence, Haverhill, Reading, Burlington, and Lynn. It has many campsites (providing that the state budget is not cut further) and a swimming beach on Stearns Pond (also threatened by budget cuts).
Take Exit 41 off Interstate 93 and turn right onto MA 125 North toward Andover. After 2.5 miles, just after the state police barracks, turn right toward a sign for the state forest. You will pass between 2 large stone pillars onto Harold Parker Road. Follow signs for forest headquarters (where trail maps are stocked). Along the way, you can also park at turnoffs at several trailheads along Harold Parker Road, near several ponds. There's another large parking area just beyond the intersection of Harold Parker Road and Jenkins Road.
Summary: I don't know how I haven't made it here to review this trail. In short, HP is awesome. As other posters have said, a little bit of everything from quick cross country to rollers, to pretty technical action with rocks and roots and baby head gardens. There is even a bowl you can drop into and out of. I found it once and haven'e been able to find it again. Also, NEMBA has done a bunch of trail maintenance here. This is my favorite place to ride in the Boston metro area and I try to get here at least a couple times a month. Just awesome.
Recommended Route: My two favorites are the "Left pulloff" and the Yellow Trail. As you can tell, I'm not good at noting trail names. Turn right onto HP road from 125, the go down about 1/2 mile to the parking lot on the left. Park and blast away, but veer left. You should be able to see the route here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/9865054
To get to the yellow trail, take HP roat until you came to a T with a parking lot in front of you. Pull in and head away from HP road. You'll see the Yellow trail markers, take this all the way out and back. More technical than the last trail. Route is like this: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/3890589
Other recommended trails in the same area: There's a bunch of stuff here, explore around.
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Summary: This is one of the best riding areas that you can find in the NE Massachusetts area. It has some of everything for most skill levels. Combine that with many miles of trails and ever-changing scenery, and there is enough here to keep things interesting time after time. It is easy to get lost and there are plenty of bugs mid summer. The bugs don't seem to be much of a problem if you keep moving, though, and they are no issue at all from the first frost through the spring thaw.
Recommended Route: This is a place to be explored and I cannot recommend one route. One good place to start is at the intersection of Jenkins Road and Harold Parker Roads. There are trail maps available at the Harold Parker website (http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/harp.htm). However, even these seemingly detailed maps are far from complete.
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Summary: You can ride this place every weekend and still find new trail all the time. There are plenty of mellow wide sections and some rocky rooty tech. sections to keep anyone happy. The half pipe area has gotten pretty worn out but it's still a fun spot. I usually park just down from the police station but don't miss out on the east end of the park. There is an out and back trail out there across Salem (I think) that is amazing. Rocky ridges that you climb up and down. A blast in either direction. Great place to night ride too. I love it and it's worth a shot. We make the drive from Cambridge there often instead of the fells or Belmont woods, it's that good.
Recommended Route: There is such a huge web or single track that any atempt to describe a rout would be silly
Other recommended trails in the same area: Fells, Paint Mines, Belmont Woods
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Review Date January 7, 2004
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty 4 of 5
Technical Difficulty 4 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Reviewed by: jd
,
Cross Country Rider
Summary: Ride the Harold mostly every other day...Now with the recent snow...we'll see. Enough trails to ride for 8 hrs a day and repeat the course GREAT stuff. From the fire roads that are frequented by walkers and horses to the off trail trails that go from moderate to "get off and carry" Each time we go out I find it challenging, trying to make some of the ascents that I couldn't before whether due to the leaves, wetness, etc.. There are some very steep declines that are pretty tough...Living in the area I'm spoiled by not having to drive far for riding so I don't have anything to judge it against, so this review can be tempered a bit....Spend a few hours on the trails and you're sure to return
Recommended Route: In just up from Joe LaPorts stable take the trail on the right just before the wooden bridge after the first long mild ascent, it gets verticle quick...follow it until you come out on the fireroad again...diagonal is another trail, follow it until you come again to another road, tak a left, take the right most road at the next triangle intersection aways up there is a trail on the right slightly hidden...follow it...and if memory serves me right it comes out on Berry Pond road from there....just pick one....
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Review Date December 3, 2003
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty 3 of 5
Technical Difficulty 3 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a week
Reviewed by: vooman68
,
Cross Country Rider
Summary: Just found this park this fall. Lot's of fun single track to be found. Just enough roots, rocks and tight trails to keep the smiles coming. Still exploring, but so far lot's of varying stuff.
Recommended Route: Go down harold parker road, park near the two ponds and enter on the left after the pond. Just explore, you won't be disappointed.
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3.81 of 5
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