In the sleepy town of Heath, one of the most mysterious sites in Massachusetts is hiding just out of site. The Burnt Hill Stone Circle has a name that sounds straight out of an ancient legend, and it's equally enigmatic in person. No one knows who constructed this dramatic circle of massive stones, or when the circle was first arranged.
Read on to learn more about this amazing spot. If you're looking for a few other amazing hiking destinations, check out our list of 13 hiking spots in Massachusetts that are completely out of this world.
There are 21 stones in the circle, and some of them are pretty heavy – a few weigh in at over 500 pounds. An early theory held that the stones were originally meant to act as property markers by local 19th-century farmers, but recent research has revealed that the stones have been in their current spots for many hundreds of years longer than that.
The hike to this area in Heath is definitely easy enough for families or inexperienced trekkers. Plus, the views are killer!
Another theory is that the stones were once used as an ancient observatory, due to the way the stones align with the nearby mountains and seem to indicate the locations of some planets. There's a chance that local Native American tribes may have erected the circle long before Europeans even dreamt of a New World. Since the hill is about 1,850 feet high, it's a mystery as to how ancient peoples might have transported the stone used for the circle.
Here's a map of the spot, so you can be sure to find the right area. Please note: this spot is private property and trespassing is not permitted, so please enjoy the view from afar!
Have you ever been to the Burnt Hill Stone Circle? Know any other cool hiking destinations? Let us know.
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