About this course
Sudbury, MA
Mass Dog Hikes Destination Guide
address for haynes meadow
489 Peakham Rd
Sudbury, MA 01776
(This is one of many lots. See Parking section below for more.
PLEASE KNOW THAT PROPERTIES THAT TYPICALLY ALLOW OFF-LEASH DOGS HAVE MOST LIKELY CHANGED THEIR RULES, AND MAY NOW REQUIRE LEASHES, DUE TO COVID.
AS OF OCTOBER 2020, REGARDING OFF-LEASH DOGS SPECIFICALLY, HAYNES IS NOW ON-LEASH ONLY. PLEASE FIND THE MOST UP TO DATE INFO FOR SUDBURY USING THIS LINK . Thanks to the town of Sudbury for being "on it".
Haynes Meadow allows dogs to be off leash if they are under the owner's voice control. This is the town's policy for all of its conservation properties, such as Haynes Meadow.
Also per the town: Dog walkers are expected to remove any dog waste from the trails and not dispose of it in any wetland area .
The "Smaht Dog" Barks about Off-Leash Etiquette at Haynes : I see dogs off-leash more often than I see them on-leash at Haynes. So I thought this "bark" of mine in the video below would help.
Most of the terrain at Haynes Meadow is just fine for a nice casual walk without the need for special shoes...so don't let these few images and videos below throw you off. But I thought it would be good to just give you a general idea, in terms of the footwear you choose, etc.
The first image is a very common characteristic of the terrain. The second is a cement block at the bottom of the steep decline at the Blueberry Hill Ln trail head...so be careful!
This is probably the most steep decline. It's at the Blueberry Hill Ln trail head, when you turn right. Be careful when it's wet or icy. There is an easier decline to the right of it.
Haynes Meadow Conservation Land is the property of the town of Sudbury. It falls under the umbrella of the Sudbury Conservation Commission.
Contact info for the town, as well as how to find this trail, are below in "Resources" section.
But for now, here is a link for Sudbury's Conservation Land Use:
Sudbury Conservation Land Use Policies and Regulations
1
Option 1 - Blueberry Hill Lane
My favorite place to park is off of Blueberry Hill Lane, which is off of Peakham Road (near the intersection Peakham, Old Horseshoe Rd and Pratt's Mill Rd). Why? I rarely see more than one or two cars here. Many people who enter the trail via this pull-off area, are on foot because they live nearby. And, you can stand on a ridge right near the trail head, and see out over the wetlands as you start your adventure.
2
Option 1 - Gray Reservation Lot
Next choice would be the lot for Gray Reservation. This Sudbury Valley Trustees network of trails is adjacent to Haynes, so you get to see another property on the way in to Haynes! It's located at the top of Old Lancaster Rd, where it meets Hudson Rd.
3
Option 3 - 489 Peakham Road
And there is another access and parking area, but I'd try the other ones first. This one is off of Peakham Rd, near the intersection with Old Lancaster Rd. This lot is small. It's on a dirt road that leads to a building--I describe its history in Module 2. But for now, just know to please keep off of the building's property--the town asks that you not go beyond the parking lot.
This quick video shows you how to find the pull off at the Blueberry Hill Ln trail head:
Peakham Rd has an awesome sidewalk that is a trail in its own right! Beautiful homes, woodsy parts, curves and slight hills, brooks, etc are included!
Gray Reservation, an entire separate property (of the Sudbury Valley Trustees), is its own adventure and literally abuts Haynes, right near where to secret/mysterious (kidding) chimney in the woods is.
Dutton Road, parallel to Peakham Rd, has multiple trails such as Hop Brook, Memorial Forest and the train tracks just south of Hop Brook.
Whole Foods, Oak Barrel Tavern and other shops are on Route 20. If you take Dutton or Peakham south about a mile, you'll hit Route 20. Take a left, drive for a mile or less (depending on which road you take), and you'll be in a commercial area with these shops.
Burke's Dog Grooming (couldn't resist the shameless plug...) is on Route 20, just over the Marlborough line. If you head east on Route 20, you'll see in on the left, at the beginning of a row of white shops.
At the top of Peakham, if you take a right, there is a convenience store immediately on your right, just before Sudbury Center.
Historic Sudbury Center, mentioned above, has monuments, a quaint park and historic buildings.
If you continue past Sudbury Center on Route 27, you'll drive on a strip of road into Wayland. This passes right through an awesome area of wetlands . About a mile past these, on the right, is the back entrance to retail, such as Panera, Stop and Shop, The Local (restaurant) and more.
If you take a left at the top of Peakham, or a right at the top of Dutton, you'll see Haskell Field playground and sport fields . People let there dogs off-leash here--next to the playground. But use discretion in terms of games being played.
And of course, the creme de la creme... The Wayside Inn property at the bottom of Dutton Rd. This is a whole topic on its own. Historic Martha Mary Chapel, a Grist Mill, the Inn and Restaurant itself, open fields and more.
Click here for overall/general COVID info...more than just for dogs.
TOWN resources
The Smaht Dog barks about maps for Haynes: Not a big fan of the selection of maps I found online. The town of Sudbury is awesome about its land use information, so don't get me wrong. So click here for a so-so map from the town's website.
But here is a MUCH better map (link below), listed on the Sudbury Valley Trustees' website for Gray Reservation, because Gray abuts the Haynes property, and the map shows both. Better quality in terms of the trail markings for Haynes on this one. No slight on the town of Sudbury. They are awesome at conservation and the info that they put forth!!!
Better Map (in my opinion, at least!)
A note about the inclusion of links to outside sources in Mass Dog Hikes: Any info that is taken from these outside websites is cited in Mass Dog Hikes. I want you to visit these sites, as they are a wealth of knowledge. The folks who contribute to these sites are amazing.
But I just figured I'd consolidate some of them here, instead of having you spend your valuable time on google searches, trying to sort everything out.
The goal is to be outside enjoying the trails, not getting blisters on your fingers researching them!
This Online Destination Guide is set up sort of like an online course. There are two "chapters". One contains the rules and property info. The second contains the fun stuff--Hit the Trail with all the secrets and highlights I've provided. Track your progress as you move through the "course".
I'd love you to comment at the bottom of the "lessons" with your own adventures and questions. Also, please leave your input on how we can improve this course and improve Haynes with our conservation efforts while we're there!
My dogs and I love this trail because of the way that the glaciers have carved out the perfect setting for diverse terrain and incredible views.
In this first lesson, we'll discuss some of the rules and other info, such as parking, that will have you prepared ahead of time to just show up, hop out of the car and instantly enjoy!
And I've provided plenty of suggestions and links for local attractions in Sudbury, so that your trip to this historic and beautiful destination is that much more enjoyable!
My dogs love Haynes because of the sounds and smells...I love it for the footbridges, brooks, secret picnic spots and even the random chimneys in the woods, not to mention sweeping views from atop a ridge that a glacier formed.
Haynes Meadow is a portal for time travel to a century ago when lumber mills were thriving here. You can also travel back to a time when glaciers created this precious venue of natural wonders that you are walking on and gazing across.