Buck’s and Lapham Ledges, and Moody Mountain, Woodstock

This is a marvelous hike in the Western foothills, with views and well-marked trails, and many signs (with distances) posted along the route. The preserve encompasses more than 600 acres and includes views at Lapham and Buck’s Ledges (1,180 feet), as well as a few along the ridge between Moody Mountain and Buck’s Ledge. There is also a spot with nice views below the wooded, viewless summit of Moody Mountain, if you make it that far!

If you stick to hiking just to Buck’s and Lapham Ledges, you will have a great, moderate hike, nice in all seasons (and evidently fabulous for sunrises). Lapham Ledge is just 0.5 miles from the parking lot, and Buck is about 1.5 miles. The hike to Buck requires a slightly more strenuous climb, but the views are even nicer than Lapham’s, overlooking Mt. Abram’s ski trails and North and South Ponds.

From the trailhead and parking area off Route 26, you’ll start on a snowmobile trail before very quickly arriving at the footpath to your right. The trail ascends through young forest — on a hot day, you might miss the coolness provided by more mature coverage. You’ll reach a trail intersection at 0.4 miles. The first of two overlooks is just 0.1 mile farther along on your right. Lapham Ledge’s is just beyond. If you don’t have much time, you can return to the intersection and head over to Buck’s Ledge, about 1.2 miles away. Then you can return the way you came or via the snowmobile track.

Additionally, there are two short side trails to Mann Road—one leaving from Buck’s Ledge. But there is no parking on the private road. You can access the water at one of the two trails (the one closest to Route 26), but it’s not the best place for swimming.

If you’re ambitious, you can do a roughly 5.2-mile loop that encompasses both ledges and Moody Mountain (1,424 ft). You’ll be walking part of the way through young forest.

If you do this loop, you’ll descend rom Lapham Ledge, meeting a side trail (much of the side trail follows a grassy old track) to Echo Lane. (This side path crosses private property, and you may get a cheery hello from a landowner.) From this intersection, it’s about a 1-mile ascent to Moody. Once you cross the snowmobile trail, the trail gets very steep. The summit itself has no views, but you’ll get good ones just before it on an open ledge. The trail down to Buck’s Ledge has a few nice views from the ridge. When you get to the intersection with the trail to Buck’s Ledge, go right and very shortly you’ll be at the finest views of the hike. Then you can return on the footpath to the Route 26 trailhead.

In 2024, a new accessible trail was built to a scenic overlook.

Directions: The main parking lot is off Route 26, across from Mills Road, with room for 10 or so cars.