Boston Kayaker

Kayaking On Charles River - from Weston MA to Wellesley MA


Rating: One-and-a-Half Stars - I never paddled under so many bridges in such a short stretch! At the upriver end are rapids below Finlay Dam.

  Put in at Norumbega Road
  in Weston MA.
Paddle south upriver to
  Route 16 and return.
Estimated round trip
  distance = 4+ miles
Rapids below
  dam.
  Charles River Canoe
  Kayak rentals
Newton Lower
  Falls Park
Lasell College
  Boat House
Finlay
  Dam

Disclaimer: It is your responsibility to determine the legality, suitability and safety of this route for yourself.

Download printer-friendly
PDF version that fits in one page:
Kayaking On Charles River - from Weston MA to Wellesley MA

Other resources:
Doug Cornelius: Charles River Kayak Trip Report
Charles River Canoe & Kayak rentals in Newton MA
Charles River Rentals Paddling Map (cached copy)
Charles River Rentals Paddling Map
Charles River Watershed Association


Number of original photos on this page : 100
All photos in this website are original and copyrighted.



At the Norumbega Road launch to Charles River in Weston MA.
Trip date is June 2014.


The Boston Kayaker just launched on the Charles River from Norumbega Road in Weston MA.
Directly across the river from the launch is the Charles River Canoe & Kayak rentals.


I turned to my right and will under that Route 30 bridge and farther upriver.





Passing under Route 30 bridge on the Charles River.


Next is the ramp off I-90.








Right after passing under an I-90 ramp, the I-90 bridge itself is next.





The Lassell College Boat House on the left bank.


Next to Lassell boat house is a foot bridge and I can see the railbridge farther upriver.





Passing under the railbridge on Charles River in Weston MA.


Another foot bridge.





I-95 ramp bridges.


A couple on a canoe passing under the I-95 ramp bridge over the Charles River.


After the I-95 ramp bridge is the I-95 itself.


I am now in the section of Charles River that is west of I-95.











On my left is the Martin Memorial Golf Course.


A bed of waterlily flowers on the Charles River.








A swan on Charles River.








I can see Concord Street bridge.





Passing under Concord Street bridge on the Charles River.





















































Another rail bridge over the Charles River.











Landed and took a break a sandy spot.


This is the compound off Mica Lane in Wellesley MA.


Went back to the waters of Charles River and continued paddling uptream and immediately faced with these rushing waters.


Paddled to these rapids until I got stock on the rocks.
From here, I can see the waterfalls of Finlay Dam behind the bridge.


Charles River looking downstream from Route 16 bridge.
This picture taken March 2014.


The Charles River going over the Finlay Dam.
This picture taken March 2014.


I just turned around and now paddling with the river flow back to where I launched.









































Under the Concord Street bridge on the Charles River.























A group of kayakers on the Charles River.



































This is Route 30 bridge, the last before takeout.


After passing under Route 30 bridge, take out is at left.





Charles River Canoe & Kayak rentals.





Landed at the Norumbega Road launch.