AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Wachusett Mountain State Reservation

Mount Wachusett–Balance Rock, 5 sights

3.3 mi · ▲ 970 ft · 1 hr 35 min

Mount Wachusett–Balance Rock, 5 sights is a 3.3-mile out-and-back in Wachusett Mountain State Reservation near Leino Park, MA. The route passes Balance Rock and Mount Wachusett before reaching Mountain House Viewpoint at the turnaround, 1.7 miles in. It climbs 970 ft, with sections as steep as 26% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 29/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi1,024 – 2,001 ft · steepest grade: 26%3.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Balance Rock Trail 42.50433, -71.88853
Nearest town Leino Park, MA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Mount Wachusett–Balance Rock, 5 sights

3.3 mi · ▲ 970 ft · 1 hr 35 min

Elevation 1,024–2,000 ft

Out & Back · Wachusett Mountain State Reservation

Trailhead: Balance Rock Trail · 42.50433, -71.88853

Weather Aug 4: Overcast, high 78°F / low 63° · precip 0% · wind 7 mph · sunrise 5:42 AM · sunset 8:07 PM

Transit-accessible: Wachusett Shuttle Stop stop 250 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Balance Rock Trail, heading W.
  2. 0.3 miPass Balance Rock.
  3. 200 ftBear right onto Balance Rock Road, heading S.
  4. 50 ftTurn left onto Old Indian Trail, heading S.
  5. 0.2 miBear right onto Semuhenna Trail, heading S.
  6. 0.5 miTurn left onto West Side Trail, heading S.
  7. 0.2 miSharp right onto Old Indian Trail, heading NE.
  8. 0.4 miPass Mountain House Viewpoint.
  9. 50 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  10. 50 ftSharp right onto Mountain House Trail, heading SE.
  11. 50 ftReach Mount Wachusett, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  12. 50 ftSharp left, heading SE.
  13. 50 ftTurn right onto Old Indian Trail, heading SE.
  14. 0.4 miSharp left onto West Side Trail, heading NW.
  15. 0.2 miTurn right onto Semuhenna Trail, heading SW.
  16. 0.5 miBear left onto Old Indian Trail, heading N.
  17. 0.2 miTurn right onto Balance Rock Road, heading NE.
  18. 50 ftBear left onto Balance Rock Trail, heading NE.
  19. 0.3 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/balance-rock-old-indian-quarry-viewpoint-out-back-6-km

Trail surface

99% dirt1% gravel

Weather

OvercastTemperature 78°F63°
Precip0%Wind7 mphUV7Humidity75%
Rained 1.4″ yesterday (4.2″ over the last week) · trails may be muddy
Hourly temperature
80°60°
Sunrise 5:42 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:07 PM
Wed 79°64°
Thu 86°66° 46%
Fri 92°69° 34%
Sat 89°69° 35%
Sun 93°67°
Mon 90°69° 16%

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Wachusett Shuttle Stop stop 250 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Balance Rock Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Leino Park, Massachusetts