Ell Pond Preserve Trailhead — Attraction in Hopkinton

Ell Pond is regarded as one of the most beautiful hikes in RI. A part of Moonrise Kingdom was even filmed here. Starting from the trailhead on Old Rockville road, the mile long trail to Ell Pond is absolutely beautiful. It's rocky and difficult but worth the effort. Dogs shouldn't go here, it's too slippery and dangerous for them. Once you get up to the area between Long and Ell ponds, you can continue a trail all the way around Long Pond or do some side trails that provide great views. You can't get down to Ell pond, and you shouldn't because it's sensitive wildlife habitat. Ken Weber in his book "Weekend Walks in Rhode Island" has a great route...

This is a rugged trail, but the reward is great. The views over long lake are beautiful, but the trail requires a lot of scrambling over rocks. I am 68 years old with weak knees, yet I persevered and was careful and I'm glad I made the hike. One tip: do not follow the red arrow that is spray painted on a boulder. It leads to a confusing set of trails. Stick to the yellow marked trails and you will do fine. Also the road leading to the trailhead is not paved and parts of it are very rough and full of potholes. Make sure you enter through Canonchet road which limits your traversing of...

This is one of my all-time favorite trails since I was a child. Unfortunately in the last 5 years it has become extremely popular, and with that popularity came trash that was tossed everywhere. I have seen numerous cans and bottles tossed to the side of the trail, shoved into the rocks, and even in the pond. Visitors also seem to have made a habit of using more concealed areas as their personal latrines. Sadly there isn't much that can be done about this but they definitely need to do...