"Comprising over 600 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and hilly terrain, Breakheart Reservation has expansive views that reach south to Boston, north to New Hampshire, and east to the Atlantic Ocean. What began as a parcel of common land awarded to new settlers arriving in Saugus in the early 1700s is today considered a gem in the Massachusetts state park system. In the 1890s, businessman Benjamin Johnson and two friends bought the land to create a private hunting retreat called Breakheart Hill Forest. The tranquil forest was catapulted into the limelight in 1900 when their caretaker was brutally murdered. Three decades later, Johnson and his partners sold the land to the state. It became a camp for the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps and was later transformed into a recreational area"--Publisher description.

CLICK HERE to download a free hike from Best Hikes with Dogs Boston & Beyond * Guidebook includes a great mix of interesting urban and rural trails * All trails guaranteed to be dog-friendly and dog-fun! * Extensive info on canine hikers and their special needs Explore the classic beauty of the Massachusett's wild areas with your dog! Whether you're in bustling Boston, the peaceful Berkshires, or out for a beach walk on the Cape, you and your dog buddy will have a blast on the trail. Areas covered in Best Hikes with Dogs Boston and Beyond include Dogtown Commons, Estabrook Woods, Callahan State Park, Blue Hills Reservation, Mount Watatic, island beaches,and much more. This guidebook offers tips on trail etiquette, hiking with dogs and their special needs, minimizing negative impacts, what to do when you meet other hikers, dealing with wildlife encounters, and unique skills for preparing your dog for trails on the Massachusetts mainland and island terrain.