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St. Moritz Ponds Loop

Blue Hills Trails

A fairly level 3.2-mile green dot loop past the St. Moritz Ponds in Quincy, a 1930s winter carnival site.

Aerial view of the Blue Hills range south of Boston

The St. Moritz Ponds loop is a fairly level green dot walk through woods and wetlands in Quincy. It passes the St. Moritz Ponds, a popular winter carnival site from 1929 into the 1930s.

DistanceAbout 3.2 miles
Time1.5 to 2 hours
DifficultyModerate, fairly level
StartShea Rink lot, 651 Willard St, Quincy

Trailhead parking

Directions to Shea Rink lot →

The route

  1. Park at the Shea Rink lot, 651 Willard Street, Quincy.
  2. Follow the green dots into the woods and past the St. Moritz Ponds.
  3. Use caution where the trail crosses Wompatuck Road.
  4. Continue on the green dots to close the loop.

Before you go

  • If you get lost or hurt, call 911. Give the dispatcher the four-digit number on the nearest intersection post. Those numbers match the DCR map and help responders find you. For non-emergency park concerns, DCR’s 24-hour dispatch is (508) 820-1428.
  • Before you go, share your phone’s location with a friend, and tell someone your route and when you plan to be back.
  • Carry the DCR trail map. Many intersections have a white post with a four-digit number that matches the map.
  • Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, and dress for wind on the summits.
  • The reservation is open dawn to dusk. Dogs must be leashed. Carry out everything you bring in.
  • Timber rattlesnakes and copperheads live in the Blue Hills. They are shy. Stay on the trail and give them space.

Guided hikes

Add a guided summit hike

Our staff lead groups up Great Blue Hill, connecting the trail to the landscape, the climate record, and 141 years of daily observation. Every guided hike ends inside the Observatory.

Staff-led · By appointment, any day, year-round · Observatory tour included · From $250 per group, members save

See guided hikes

FAQ

How long is the St. Moritz Ponds loop?

DCR lists it at about 3.2 miles, taking 1.5 to 2 hours.

Where do I park?

The Shea Rink lot, 651 Willard Street, Quincy.

What was the St. Moritz winter carnival?

The ponds were a popular winter carnival site from 1929 into the 1930s.

Trail details are based on the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s recommended color-coded hiking trails. Trails and markers change, so carry the DCR map and confirm conditions with DCR at 617-698-1802.

More Blue Hills history at the summit

Blue Hill Observatory has recorded the weather every day since 1885. Visit the History Room.

Plan your visit See the summit now