About Noon Hill

204 acres

Ascend the hill to enjoy treetop vistas, amble around Holt Pond, or follow trails that leads through an adjacent Trustees reservation to the Charles River.

What makes Noon Hill a special place?
In the heart of historic Medfield, you can discover woodlands, waters-edge views of the Charles River, and abundant wildlife.

Wooded trails wind through the varied terrain of Noon Hill, making it perfect for hiking, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and horseback riding. At 370 feet, Noon Hill rises gently above the surrounding landscape. Follow the short trail that leads to its peak and you'll be rewarded with sweeping views south across the rolling hills of Walpole and Norfolk. A loop trail around Holt Pond gives you a wonderful opportunity to explore freshwater habitat.

A short trail extension across Causeway Street connects Noon Hill to Shattuck Reservation. Both reservations are managed with adjacent conservation land owned by the Town of Medfield.

Spring brings a variety of migratory songbirds and wildflowers such as pink lady’s slippers and Canada mayflower. The properties and surrounding lands provide habitat for white-tailed deer, red fox, raccoon, and ruffed grouse. During the fall, Noon Hill makes a great place to watch the annual hawk migration, when raptors wing their way south for the winter.

Thousands of years ago, glacial action carved depressions through the hill. Exposed bedrock along the tops of the ridges is further evidence of the glacial activity that shaped the land. The reservation's slopes and ridges are forested with pine, beech, birch, and hemlock; in spring, the forest floor is scattered with wildflowers. From the height of Noon Hill, the land slopes gently toward the Charles River and its tributary, the Stop River. Many lowland areas have become red maple swamps, and much of the land to the north and east of the Reservation is floodplain of the Stop River, a tributary of the Charles River.

Trails
4.5 miles of trails. Moderate hiking, strenuous in places. Noon Hill is a link in the Bay Circuit Trail.

When to Visit
Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 1 hour, 2 hours if also visiting Shattuck Reservation.

 

Regulations & Advisories

• Mountain biking is on official trails, except where posted. No off-trail biking is allowed.
  
  
• Please note: There is a sportsman’s club shooting range across the street, which can be very loud at times. 

Directions

Noon Hill Road
Medfield, MA
Telephone: 508.785.0339
E-mail: charlesrivervalley@ttor.org

Get directions on Google Maps.

From intersection of Rts. 27 and 109 in Medfield, take Rt. 109 West for 0.1 mi. and immediately turn left onto Causeway St. Follow for 1.3 mi. and turn left onto Noon Hill Rd. Entrance and parking (15 cars) on right.

Admission

When to Visit
Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 1 hour, 2 hours if also visiting Shattuck Reservation.

Admission
FREE to all

Property History

Holt Pond was created around 1764, when Sawmill Brook was dammed to create a mill pond. In the 19th century, after farmers cleared the forest, the land surrounding the pond was used as pasture, and stone walls were built as enclosures. Forest has since reclaimed these fields. The midday sun passes over the ridge of Noon Hill, giving the reservation its name.

Property Acquisition History
Original acreage a gift of W. K. Gilmore & Sons in 1959. Additional land given by Henry L. Shattuck, with the cooperation of Daniel S. and Dr. F. Sargent Cheever, in 1960 and 1963, and by Hon. Elliot L. Richardson, Dr. Edward P. Richardson, Jr., and Dr. George S. Richardson in 1978.

Programs

Click here to learn more about our Summer in the Valley Photo contest.

Volunteer Opportunities

Work Parties

Maps and Resources

Printed trail maps are distributed free from the bulletin boards in the parking area. Please understand that supplies periodically run out. We recommend that you download a trail map before you visit.

Planning Your Visit

Before You Go
We encourage you to visit as many Trustees properties as you can.

Wherever your travels take you, please observe all posted regulations, follow special instructions from property staff, and keep in mind the Stewardship Code:

• Protect wildlife and plants.
• Guard against all risk of fire.
• Help keep air and water clean.
• Carry out what you carry in.
• Use marked footpaths and bridle paths.
• Leave livestock, crops, and machinery alone.
• Respect the privacy of neighboring land.
• Enjoy and share the landscape with others.

Click on links below for further visitor information:

Before Setting Out

Enjoying Trustees Reservations

Safety

About Hunting on Trustees of Reservations Land

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