A Night (Hike) To Remember
Say farewell to 2024 with a nocturnal hike in one of Boston's biggest parks
Well, Boston…we’ve officially made it to winter!
And now, with the sun vanishing at 4pm (argh) and the urge to sequester ourselves in mountains of fleece blankets setting in, it’s time to get weirder, bolder, and more creative when it comes to outdoor recreation. Being outdoors during these next 3-4 months might be a little tougher, but the physiological and social benefits can be profoundly nourishing; imbuing the winter with a sense of wonder and camaraderie.
Last January, I decided to test a concept: Boston Night Hikes, in which people gather at a transit station with headlamps or flashlights, warm coats, and backpacks, before embarking on an urban ramble through the green space landscape after dark. The city takes on an ethereal luminance at night and in certain parks, an incredible sense of stillness too. To my surprise, a lot of Boston resident and visitors showed up for the inaugural winter night hikes! Emboldened by our numbers, we scaled snowy hills and snaked our way through dense woods—a procession of lights and crunchy footsteps. And by the end of each hike, we found ourselves at a local bar, toasty and entranced.
We’ve got a long winter ahead of us; the beginning of a new year that poses a lot more looming, unanswered questions than usual. And as we say goodbye to 2024 and walk into the unknown of what’s ahead, I’d like to extend an invitation for the first Boston Night Hike of the 2024-25 winter season! Consider it an end-of-year WCT gathering.
On Thursday December 19th, we will gather at the MBTA’s Green Street Orange Line station at 6:00pm and embark on a 2.4-mile hike through the forest of Franklin Park, meeting some of the park’s lesser known denizens (including a certain wizard) before concluding with a view of the city skyline and beers at Drawdown Brewing, which is located close to the Stony Brook Orange Line station and the MBTA’s 42 bus route.
Want to join the expedition? Register for the night hike through this signup form and watch your inbox for any event updates between now and the 19th. See you out there!
Cheers,
Miles Howard
In 2025, the Walking City Trail initiative is escalating, with the introduction of new trails and more opportunities to become directly involved with designing new community trails across Boston’s cityscape. As we prepare to expand our capacity to bring these new trail projects to life, contributions to the Walking City Trail are hugely appreciated and helpful. Click here to learn more about how you can support the Walking City Trail as a backer and/or a volunteer.
I agree. Being outdoors in the cold is exhilarating and creates a wonderful sense of community. I talk to strangers more when we’re sharing the challenge. And one can really appreciate warm comforts after time spent out in the elements.