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Walden Pond | |
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Until Henry David Thoreau wrote "Walden, or Life in the Woods," Walden Pond was just another of the many deep, chill ponds scooped from the New England countryside by glaciers. |
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Walden Pond, 915 Walden Street,
Concord MA In summer, visitors come to swim in its cool water and take the sun on its few narrow sand public beaches. On many summer weekends the pressure of visitors is so intense that the parking lot is closed to newcomers to protect the unique ecology and geology of the pond. At all times of year people come to follow the 1.5-mile (2.4-km) trail around the pond and to visit the site of Thoreau's little house. The walk all the way around the pond takes about an hour at a comfortable pace, less if you walk briskly and don't linger at the site of Thoreau's house too long. Thoreau, a school teacher, surveyor, pencil-maker, writer, folk philosopher and social critic, moved from Concord to Walden in 1845 and lived here in a simple one-room cabin for two years, two months and two days. During his stay he basically founded the study known as ecology. His observations of plants, animals, the passing seasons and his naturalist philosophy were published as Walden, or Life in the Woods, in 1854. Over the years, his life and work have come to exemplify living in harmony with nature. Thoreau's philosophy derived from the Transcendental philosophy of his friend and mentor Ralph Waldo Emerson, who in fact provided the land (part of his firewood lot at Walden) for Thoreau's little house. In essence, Thoreau lived a life that Emerson, because of his eminence and family ties, could not. Walden Pond is near the intersection of MA Routes 2 and 126. From Monument Square in Concord Center, follow Main Street south and turn left onto Walden Street at the first intersection. Follow Walden Street (Route 126) for two miles (3 km), cross a major highway (MA Route 2), and look for the Walden Pond State Park parking lot entrance on the left a short distance farther along. The pond is on your right, on the opposite side of the road from the parking lot. (Photos) The replica of Thoreau's house (photo) is next to the parking lot, near the path down to the pond. The actual site of Thoreau's original house is a 15-minute walk around the pond, marked by granite posts (photo). In previous years it was marked by a cairn built up by Thoreau pilgrims who left stones in commemoration of their visits. If you come to Concord by train from Boston, you will actually pass right by Walden Pond: look for it on the right side of the train a few minutes before arriving at the Concord station. The state park's parking lot—the only legal parking available within a mile of the pond—costs $5 per carload in summer. The beach and path are free, so if you walk from Concord to Walden as Thoreau did (about 45 minutes, each way), you can enjoy the pond at no cost. Fires and alcoholic beverages are prohibited in Walden Pond State Reservation at all times. |
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 Walden Pond in winter, Concord MA.
The path around Walden Pond.
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