Mercy Woods – January 9, 2022

Trailhead on Wrentham Road

For years I wondered why cars were parked at the turn-off on Wrentham Road just before you crossed into MA. Now I know. At least some were probably hiking on the trails of what is now the Cumberland Land Trust’s Mercy Woods Preserve.

In 2018, the Sisters of Mercy sold 229-acres of provincial land to the Town of Cumberland. The Cumberland Recreation department will eventually use 18-acres for sports fields. The remaining 211-acres will remain as open space managed by the Cumberland Land Trust.

Ridge Trail

The Mercy Woods Preserve currently has 5.7-miles of trails including the Mercy Loop (2.3-miles), the Ridge Trail (2.1-miles) and the Stone Wall, Fisher, Fern, Fiske, Deer and Grape connecting trails. A short section of the Ridge Trail north of the Fern connecting trail is also part of the Warner Trail connecting Sharon, MA to Diamond Hill.

I started at the turn-off on Wrentham Road and did a 3.3-mile perimeter hike along the Ridge Trail (south) and Mercy Loop (north). It was fine, but next time I will probably do the section of the Mercy Loop east of Mount St. Rita since it doesn’t run so close to Wrentham Road. I’d also like to find the Warner Trail and the connection to Diamond Hill.

Links:

My Pictures
Cumberland Land Trust
Mercy Woods Trail Map

Trip Description from Explore Rhode Island

Warner Trail
Warner Trail Guidebook