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Long referred to as “Beverly Commons,” this area is a mosaic of City- and Greenbelt-protected land that includes an extensive trail network under a serene forest canopy. This is a popular spot for year-round recreation.
This conservation area boasts an impressive stand of eastern hemlock, a majestic tree species that lives up to 800 years. Many eastern hemlock have succumbed to an infestation of the woolly adelgid, an insect pest whose presence has greatly expanded due to climate change. Hemlock’s tolerance of low light enables it to form dense canopies that provide a unique habitat for many plant and animal species.
This was at one time an Indigenous landscape with special resources to be found in its vernal ponds, hemlock forest, and trail sides for the making of medicines. Algonquians compounded columbine flowers with herbs to treat intestinal ailments, for example, and used the roots of lady slippers to make a sedative and pain reliever. Infusions of the inner bark of the eastern hemlock were given to treat diarrhea, and steam from hemlock tea to relieve respiratory ailments. The needles of the eastern hemlock are not poisonous but high in vitamin C.
Shamans used the poisonous needles of other species, such as Poison Hemlock, Ground Hemlock, and Canada Yew, as a hallucinogen to aid spiritual contact. Algonquian folktales include stories about these plants. For example pink lady slippers were called moccasin flowers. They represented the moccasins of a young woman who left them by the trailside when she ran away from an abusive husband and married a stag to become the mother of deer.
During colonial times the "Commons" was a major thoroughfare from Salem to Gloucester, and during the witchcraft hysteria of 1692, the area became known as "Witches' Woods" after a number of families took refuge here.
Open dirt roads and color-blazed trails crossing hills and forest make this an excellent destination to mountain bike, run and snowshoe. Impressive rock outcroppings and glacial boulders dominate much of the landscape. Vernal pools and amphibian breeding can be seen in early spring.
Greenbelt began protecting land in the Beverly Commons area in the 1970s and has since worked closely with the City of Beverly to protect and co-manage an array parcels including improvements to the property that include intersection number and color-blazed trails.
13.2 miles of moderate-to-difficult trails.
Hemlock trees can often grow beyond 70 feet in height. The brownish bark is scaly and deeply fissured. In spring and summer, look for wild columbine, violets, lady’s slippers and jack-in-the-pulpits. In later summer, you’ll find native orchid species. Ferns and mosses love the cool, acid environment.
The dense hemlock and maple forest provides shelter for a variety of woodland birds such as the winter wren, scarlet tanager and broad- winged hawk. You may even disturb a ruffed grouse as you walk the paths. On the ground, watch for the harmless, semi-aquatic eastern ribbon snake.
Webster Avenue, Beverly (Opens in Google Maps)
Latitude 42.567341, Longitude -70.819394
From Route 128/Exit 48/Grapevine Road
Go south on Grapevine Road/Hart Street toward Beverly Farms. In 1.25 miles, turn right onto Greenwood Avenue. Trailhead and parking are 0.3 miles ahead.
Park to the right on Stone Ridge Road. Please do not block the gate.
