Great Brook Farm is a state park located in scenic Carlisle, Massachusetts that offers excellent trail running and mountain biking in the summer months and cross country skiing on groomed trails in the winter.
This 1,000 acre park contains more than 20 miles of trails, 10 of which are groomed for skiing from December to March, snow permitting. Great Brook Farm is a working dairy farm, so in addition to a number of corn and hay fields, there is also a large cattle pasture. The park is appropriate for athletes of all abilities, including families who want to stop for ice cream and see the cows, to accomplished mountain bikers and trail runners.
The trail network is extensive and varied for running or hiking, and the nearby Carlisle Cranberry Bog is a scenic addition. For more mild running the ski trails are wide with soft soil, especially in the fields, while trails such as Woodchuck and Stone Row towards the North end of the park offer winding hills and rocky terrain. In the south of the park the Tophet Loop East and West and Heartbreak Ridge offer more challenging hills and narrow winding trails.
A 9-mile loop will take visitors along most of the most exciting and interesting trails and areas, offering varied terrain and surfaces. Starting from the main parking lot, begin on the Lantern Loop around the field, then head towards the Litchfield Loop. Passing near North Road around 1.6 miles, the trail passes several interesting boulders that are fun for scrambling or just observing.
Continue along the East Farm trail to Woodchuck, until at 2.3 miles you follow Deer Run, a slightly more technical trail with an optional additional loop. Connect via Garrison back to Woodchuck at 3.3 miles, then soon cross North Road onto the flat and smooth Pine Point Loop. At 3.7 miles there is an optional 1.5-mile (RT) out-and-back via the Tophet Loop East, then at 5.4 miles follow the optional Tophet Loop West, which is more technical and rocky.
Follow the Pine Point Loop with the optional Erikson field loop back to North Road. At this point there are many trail options for returning to the start, including multiple Lantern Loop trails, Great Brook Trail, or even North Road.
Parking fees are charged from April 1st through November 30th: $3 for cars and $20 for buses. Trail passes are required for skiers in winter.
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