A 21-acre drumlin hill preserved in 2016, with a 0.6-mile loop trail that climbs steeply under a hardwood canopy to the summit where the poet John Greenleaf Whittier used to watch the sunset. Deer, coyote, owls, and migratory warblers are regularly seen along the way.
What to expect
Trails
0.6-mile loop trail, moderate difficulty (steep climb to the summit), natural surface. Trail map available via the GreenbeltGo app or the Greenbelt website.
Dogs
Dog walking is a listed permitted activity; leash rule not separately specified but presumed to follow Greenbelt's standard leashed-dog policy.
Accessibility
Not accessible; steep, natural-surface loop trail.
Birdwatching
Allowed spring warbler migration notable
Managed by
Essex County Greenbelt Association
WebsiteWhat's here
Not here
No info kiosk
No trailhead kiosk confirmed; trail map is app/web based
Worth knowing
- Whittier Hill is a drumlin (a ridge of glacial sediment) and was permanently preserved through a community fundraising campaign.
- Poet and abolitionist John Greenleaf Whittier lived below the hill for 56 years and, though colorblind, was known to climb it to watch the sunset.
Common questions
Is Whittier Hill Reservation open today?
Whittier Hill Reservation is a public preserve in Amesbury, MA. There is no live closure feed for preserves & forests; the town's site is the authority for temporary closures.
How long is the Whittier Hill trail?
About 0.6 miles round trip, a loop that climbs steeply to the summit and back.
Is there an entry fee at Whittier Hill Reservation?
No, entry is free.
Can I bring my dog to Whittier Hill Reservation?
Dog walking is a listed permitted activity; leash rule not separately specified but presumed to follow Greenbelt's standard leashed-dog policy.
Is Whittier Hill Reservation wheelchair accessible?
Not accessible; steep, natural-surface loop trail.
What rules should I know at Whittier Hill Reservation?
Steep climb to the summit on a natural-surface trail.