Boston may be short on mountains, but it’s got boulders aplenty. The last ice age left hundreds of glacially deposited granite blocks throughout the eastern Massachusetts, gifting Beantown boulderers with limitless options in a variety of grades.

These zones also stand out for their history. New England was one of the first hotbeds of climbing in the U.S., and climbing began in the Boston area as early as the 1920s. Today, the area’s bullet-hard, textured granite remains a valuable training ground for up-and-coming climbers, and numerous short approaches, easy landings, and shaded hangouts make these zones beloved by locals and visitors alike. 

Check out one of these five areas for a taste of Boston’s best bouldering. 

Middlesex Fells

Just north of the Tufts University campus, Middlesex Fells is a vast swath of greenspace right in the heart of the city. The quiet woods and ponds make it easy to forget the hubbub of urban life—and the nearly 200 boulder problems make it easy to lose track of time. Warm up at the Hemlock Pool area, which offers around two-dozen problems between V0 and V3. Then walk along the Red Cross Path to find more than enough moderates to fill the afternoon, or head to nearby Wright’s Park for a smattering of routes in the V3 to V5 range. 

Recommended Routes

• No. 6 (V1) 
• Pink Paint Problem (V2)
• Grains of Paradise (V3)
• Helios (V5)

Lynn Woods 

Lynn Woods packs a whopping 1,200 boulder problems—mostly on coarse Peabody granite—into its 2,200 acres, making it one of Boston’s most concentrated bouldering zones. Located just a half-hour’s drive northeast of the city center (or closer to 90 minutes on the T), the reservation is a perfect distance for after-work sessions and easy weekend getaways. Approaches can involve up to a half-hour of walking, but areas like Fenway and Stone Tower are just a few minutes from the main parking area off Great Woods Road. (Maps are available online as well as for download with your favorite GPS mapping app.)    

Recommended Routes

• Bear Grease (V1)
• Guillotine (V3)
• Stone Warrior (V5) 
• K. the Swell (V7) 

Hammond Pond

This collection of darkly colored boulders, made of a local conglomerate rock called puddingstone, offers a small bouldering haven just southwest of Boston (30 minutes by car, or 50 minutes on the T). Flat landings, unique holds, and gentle approaches make Hammond Pond a local favorite. While climbing is possible year-round, spring and fall tend to offer more moderate temperatures. Head to the Alcove Area for the most concentrated climbing, or the Temple Area to test your skills on everything from overhangs to techy crimp lines. 

Recommended Routes

• The Snort (V0)
• Temple Traverse (V2)
• Hermit’s Cave (V4)
• Beached Whale (V6)

Redrocks and Dyke’s Pond

About a 50-minute drive east of Boston, the Gloucester, Mass., area offers moderate temperatures thanks to the shade of hardwood trees and the sea breeze coming in off the Atlantic. While this area is home to a handful of boulder fields, two stand out. Head to Dyke’s Pond in Gloucester for short approaches and long boulder problems in a range of grades (park at the end of New Way Lane off state Route 128’s Exit 14). Nearby, you’ll also find Redrocks Conservation Area, which is home to dozens of lines in the V2 to V4 range (park at the pullout just west of Exit 14). 

Recommended Routes

• Superior V3 (V3)
• Afternoon on a Hill (V4) 
• The Golden Hour (V5-) 
• NE Dragon (V9) 

Lincoln Woods 

About an hour’s drive south of downtown Boston, Rhode Island’s Lincoln Woods is home to over 800 boulder problems. The high-quality granite, short approaches, and myriad beginner-friendly routes make the Woods a favorite spot for New England climbers year-round (though you’ll find prime temperatures in fall and spring). When you’ve climbed your heart out, walk a few minutes to Olney Pond, where a freshwater beach makes it easy to wade and soak. 

Recommended Routes

• The Wave (V2) 
• Peace Dove (V3)
• The Executioner (V5)
• Leap Frog (V7) 

All articles are for general informational purposes.  Each individual’s needs, preferences, goals and abilities may vary.  Be sure to obtain all appropriate training, expert supervision and/or medical advice before engaging in strenuous or potentially hazardous activity.