12 Trails In Massachusetts You Must Take If You Love The Outdoors
There’s something about heading into the wild that makes the stress of everyday life seem miles away…even if you only have time for an hour or two of hiking. These awesome trails will show you a side of Massachusetts that you’ve never seen before. We’ve included plenty of hikes that are accessible enough to let the whole family strike off together, and a few that will challenge even the most experienced of woodland explorers.
1. The Bunker Meadows Trail in Topsfield is an easy trail through forest and meadows. You'll spot plenty of bluebirds and the occasional otter.
This Concord park was the site of the first battle of the revolutionary war.
4. The Skyline Trail in Middlesex Fells Reservation is a popular route to an observation tower on Pine Hill. The trail is 6.9 miles and moderately difficult.
Located in Stoneham, Middlesex Fells Reservation encompasses 2,575 acres of beautiful wilderness.
5. The Slide Notch Path at Blue Hills Reservation offers a glimpse of a waterfall and plenty of woodland tranquility. This trail is moderately difficult.
The Blue Hills Reservation covers over 7,000 acres and includes over 125 miles of trails.
6. The Hiking & Bridle Trail at Harold Parker State Forest, North Andover is the perfect trail for all seasons. The trail passes plenty of spots to fish and swim.
This trail is one of four hiking paths that wind through the 3,000 acres of Harold Parker State Forest.
7. The World’s End Reservation Trail in Hingham crosses 4.5 miles of beautiful coastal and riverine habitat. It's a dog-friendly trail, so bring your pooch along.
On clear days, you can spy the Boston skyline and Mount Monadnock in the distance.
9. Hike the Blue Trail in the Charles Ward Reservation, Andover for a spectacular view from the tops of Boston, Holt and Shrub hills. The trail is 2.2 miles long.
10. The Chasm Loop trail in Purgatory Chasm State Park will lead you past rock formations like Devil’s Coffin, Fat Man’s Misery, Devil’s Corncrib, Devil’s Pulpit and Lover’s Leap. The trail is only 0.5 miles.
Mount Norwottuck trail is only about 3.2 miles, but will take you to the summit of the mountain. On the way back, the Horse Caves trail winds around beautiful stone ledges that provide great views of the surrounding landscape.
12. The Easthead Loop in Myles Standish Forest, Carver, is a easy 2.5-mile path that curves around East Head Reservoir.