Weston | MassCentralRailTrail

MCRT: Weston

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About MCRT Weston

Weston is an affluent residential suburb known for its expansive open spaces, top-tier schools, and commitment to preserving its natural beauty.

The MCRT in Weston
The Mass Central Rail Trail (MCRT) offers a scenic 2.5-mile journey through the town's verdant landscapes, primarily along an active power line corridor that provides open vistas unique to this section of the trail. The path is paved, smooth, and relatively flat, making it accessible for all users. The MCRT in Weston is seamlessly integrated into the town’s extensive network of over 60 miles of hiking trails, managed by the Weston Conservation Commission and the DCR. This segment provides a peaceful, nature-immersed experience, with trail users frequently spotting local wildlife and enjoying the canopy of mature trees that line much of the route.

Visiting the MCRT in Weston

Access Points:

From Wayland – continuing East on the MCRT at the town line East of the Glezen Lane area.
Merriam Street / MCRT intersection (roadside parking)
Church Street / MCRT intersection (limited roadside parking near the Case Estates entrance)
Jones Road / MCRT intersection (end of the paved section in Weston, connecting to the unpaved Waltham segment; very limited parking)

Additional Resources

MassTrailTracker
Ride with GPS

Connecting Trails:

At the Western end, the trail connects to the paved Wayland segment. The MCRT in Weston provides direct access to several local conservation areas:

Weston Woods
Case Estates Conservation Area
Jericho Town Forest

Detailed maps of these areas and connecting trails are available from the Weston Conservation Commission.

Suggested Itinerary and Sights to See

Traveling the MCRT from West to East - starting at the Wayland town line, 2.5 miles to Waltham:

There are many historical items of interest along the MCRT in Weston, including old train stops, an oil pipeline, cattle crossings, and a classic train station. All this is described in detail in “Treasures of the Trail”, developed by the late Paul Penfield, a long-time Weston resident and rail trail advocate.

Scenic Power Line Corridor: The unique open views of the active power line area are a defining feature of the Weston section. Because no herbicides are used, this open area has prolific growth of wildflowers, with different species in bloom from late April through September.

Case Estates Conservation Area: Explore walking paths, a community garden, and the area's history as a former horticultural research site, accessible near the Church Street entrance. Adjacent to the trail, with others areas about a half mile south of the MCRT.

Golden Ball Museum – 0.6 mi S of the MCRT on Warren Rd to Boston Post Rd, open Thursdays. Interesting historical features from the American Revolution.  
Jericho Town Forest: A large forested area with numerous intersecting trails for hiking and nature observation. See map here, and nearby College Conservation area with more trails.

Sears Land – 90 acre wooded area with 3 miles of trails, most of them adjacent to Duck Pond, home to a variety of wildlife, read more here.

Stony Brook Trestle Bridge over the MBTA Fitchburg Line – built in 1896, it’s one of only three trestle bridges remaining in Massachusetts.

RideWithGPS Route - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53618515

Trail Guide (West to East)

Mile
0.0 mi - Starting at Plains Road in Wayland, head East on the MCRT. There’s limited parking here, and an interpretive display on an old signal switchbox describing the history of this railroad segment.

0.25 mi - Weston / Wayland town line (unmarked)

0.30 mi - One of several trail connections from MCRT to Jericho Forest trails on the left.

0.6 mi - Mile marker B15/N89 on the left (15 miles to North Station, 89 miles to Boston on the original Mass Central Railroad route)

0.7 mi - Old cattle crossing on the left

1.5 mi - Concord Rd underpass - go right to Weston Center for stores, restaurants

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Image courtesy of the Weston Owl

2.6 mi - Access on right to Sears Land trails

2.9 mi - Trail on left around solar farm and town transfer station to Kendal Green MBTA station

3.2 mi - Stony Brook trestle bridge

3.5 mi - End at Jones Rd (Waltham)  

Image courtesy of the Weston Forest and Trail Assn.

Current MCRT Projects in Weston

Ongoing maintenance of the paved surface and brush clearing to maintain the open corridor.
Coordination with DCR and neighboring towns to complete the remaining unpaved sections of the MCRT in the Wayside section.

A Brief History of the MCRT in Weston

The Central Massachusetts Railroad line was completed through Weston in 1871. In a pivotal development for the trail's future use, the Boston Edison Company (BECo) acquired an easement along the right-of-way in 1952 and installed high-tension power lines. This established the current, wide corridor that defines the trail's character in Weston. The railroad ceased operations in the late 1970s. The tracks were subsequently removed, and the corridor was officially designated as part of the MCRT.

The Weston section was developed in collaboration with DCR and Eversource. It was one of the earliest eastern sections of the MCRT to be paved, providing a continuous, high-quality surface that now connects the paved segments in Wayland and Waltham.