Petapawg, Towhee, Harry's and Tri-Town Loop is a 3.7 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Sudbury, Massachusetts that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Horses are also able to use this trail.
The Assabet River refuge comprises over 2,333 acres of varied woodland, wetland, fields, ponds and streams, with historical and archeological sites. The Assabet River refuge comprises over 2,333 acres of varied woodland, wetland, fields, ponds and streams, with historical and archeological sites. It is divided into a 1,900-acre northern section, a 300-acre southern section, and 91 acres scattered along the Assabet River in Stow. The terrain is primarily flat but includes some prominent hills; elevations range from 170 feet near the river to 320 feet on Walnut Hill. Seventy percent of the refuge is forested with pine, oak and maple. There are over 470 acres of diverse wetland habitat including an Atlantic white cedar swamp. This jewel is connected to about 1,000 acres of other diverse protected space. The Refuge is open year round from one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset. Wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities, including hiking, photography, interpretation, and environmental education, are permitted on designated trails shown on the refuge map. Note that the trail system in the refugue was reworked in spring 2007.
Currently no fees are charged for use of the refuge. The trails and parking areas are available free of charge. The Visitor Center at the Assabet River NWR located off Hudson Road opened in October 2010. This 5,000 square foot energy-efficient, eco-friendly building houses an environmental education classroom and community meeting space, wildlife exhibits, a nature store, and office space for staff and the Friends of the Assabet River NWR. Stay on the designated trails. You must get a special permit from the refuge staff to go off the trails. Bicycles are allowed on the refuge on a very limited number of trails. All cyclists entering the Refuge should check in at the kiosks at the entrances in order to obtain information about which trails are open to bikes, speed limits, and other restrictions. Kayak and canoe access is allowed off Sandbank Trail (carry in only at this time). There are no picnic areas or campsites on the refuge. Camping is not permitted. Refuge lands are closed to horses and motorized vehicles. Dogs are not allowed on the refuge. We are a pack it in, pack it out "Leave No Trace" refuge. Please help us keep the refuge clean by bringing home you
January 17, 2021December 19, 2020Nice and easy. Plenty of parking space.
November 21, 2020Easy, flat
November 21, 2020October 20, 2020Easy, well marked trail
October 12, 2020August 30, 2020Nice easy flat clean loop trail. Great for an easy Sunday walk with kids.
August 8, 2020Really cool trail. Easy, peaceful, get to see some bunkers.
June 21, 2020June 17, 2020great walking trail. cool bunkers. sooooo many bugs.
May 23, 2020Pleasant, easy walk.
May 4, 2020Dog wouldn’t go
May 4, 2020I had an awesome time mountain biking here yesterday. Highly recommend for a hike as there’s so much to see
May 2, 2020Very flat. Lots of bunkers. Pleasant walk.
July 30, 2019June 24, 2019March 30, 2019An overall epic first time was had! will be back
July 15, 2018It was cool to see all the bunkers but the bugs were literally out of control. I would recommend going when some bugs have died for the season...
February 8, 2018There's much more than 3.7 miles of trails here (I regularly do 4.5-8 mile loops here) AND you can connect with other nearby trail systems. Great place for short or long easy hikes/walks, bird watching, bike rides, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, hunting, fishing, and looking for tracks. Most trails are either flat dirt trails, partially paved old roads, or you can just walk the sidewalk if you have strollers or unsteady-when-standing individuals with you. ARNWR was once a part of Fort Devens/Maynard ordinance depot and the historic ammo bunkers are still standing. The visitor center is open from 10a-4pm on weekends and is a great place to check out (especially with kids)! Fair warnings: This is a great find for locals & new hikers/outdoor enthusiasts BUT if you're looking for a physical challenge, you won't find it here. The refuge boasts a large wetland and while this is ideal for wildlife viewing, during the summer it can get VERY buggy on the trails. Dogs are not allowed on the refuge.
December 3, 2017We loved this, great visitor center (where we starred)!beautiful lake, interesting military structures, we extended our walk and went to the river and loved what we saw- the rail trail, pretty bridge over the river and some side marshes. The last half of the walk was nondescript but wrapped up a great 3 hour walk
November 5, 2017To be honest trails are flat and fairly boring . The main trail is paved . I think would be a better biking trail than hiking trail . Several old ammo bunkers on trails . Putter Pond is nice but mainly uninteresting.
October 23, 2017Great trails, beautiful foliage views. Several raptors, waterfowl, warblers.
October 23, 2017Great walk. flat and shaded
September 2, 2017The loop is one of the most unique trails I've hiked. There are 7 or 8 massive concrete bunkers along the trail giving it an interesting historical element. There is a little side trail that takes you to a beautiful lake as well. The hiking is very easy and good for all levels of experience. Definitely add this to the to-do list.
September 2, 20179/1/17 Harry's Trail -> Towee -> Petapawag -> Powerline Trail -> Visitor Center lot. Nice walk/hike. Very few bugs.
August 5, 2017Pretty trail, wide and flat looping around ponds/marsh. Saw two egrets, but the bugs were really too awful to enjoy the trail on a day early August.
July 15, 2017Pleasant, very easy walk mostly on old dirt/gravel roads through varied forest and wetlands. Along the way you'll pass over a dozen Army ammunition bunkers from World War II. Take the short Kingfisher Trail to a beautiful pond.
