Activipedia.com

Located only minutes from downtown Boston, the Blue Hills stretch over 7,000 acres. Rising above the horizon, the Great Blue Hill reaches a height of 635 feet, the highest of the 22 hills in the Blue Hills chain. From the rocky summit on a clear day visitors can see over the entire metropolitan area. The Blue Hills reservation boasts 125 miles of trails, a spectacular rock climbing area and even downhill skiing.

The Blue Hills Reservation (operated by Mass DCR) is open from dawn to dusk. The Boy Scouts own an adjacent parcel of land which is technically closed to the public. The Appalachian Mountain Club owns several cabins near Ponkapoag pond which are available to the public by reservation only.

Available activities include:

Nonmotorized Boating
Camping
Fishing
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Ice Skating
Mountain Biking
Picnicking
Rock Climbing
Crosscountry skiing
Downhill skiing
Softball
Swimming

The reservation is located in several towns including Milton, Dedham, Quincy and Randolph. The easiest access to hiking by car is from I93 exit #3 for rt 138. Proceed north after exiting. Go past the ski slope and park at the trailside museum.

For an excellnt wintertime photo of the blue hills, view a snowy panorama