Bear's Den Trail–Prospect Ledge Trail, 4 sights
4.9 mi · ▲ 285 ft · 1 hr 47 min
Bear's Den Trail–Prospect Ledge Trail, 4 sights is a 4.9-mile out-and-back in Manchester Essex Woods near South Essex, MA. It climbs 285 ft. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Bear's Den Trail–Prospect Ledge Trail, 4 sights
4.9 mi · ▲ 285 ft · 1 hr 47 min
Elevation 51–136 ft
Out & Back · Manchester Essex Woods
Trailhead: Prospect Ledge Trail · 42.61189, -70.76979
Weather Aug 4: sunrise 5:39 AM · sunset 8:01 PM
- Start on Prospect Ledge Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.2 miSharp right, heading W.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Sam Hoar Memorial Trail, heading NW.
- 150 ftSharp left onto Old Manchester-Essex Road, heading S.
- 0.4 miTurn right onto Bear's Den Trail, heading SW.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Bishop's Grave Cartway, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading W.
- 450 ftTurn right onto Pulpit Rock, heading S.
- 0.5 miBear left onto Ancient Line Trail, heading W.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto Spruce Swamp Trail, heading S.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 300 ftBear left, heading SW.
- 350 ftReach Prospect Ledge Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 350 ftBear right, heading SW.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Ancient Line Trail, heading E.
- 50 ftBear left, heading E.
- 150 ftBear right, heading NE.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Pulpit Rock, heading NE.
- 0.5 miTurn left, heading N.
- 450 ftTurn right onto Bishop's Grave Cartway, heading NE.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Bear's Den Trail, heading NE.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Old Manchester-Essex Road, heading N.
- 0.4 miSharp right onto Sam Hoar Memorial Trail, heading N.
- 150 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 50 ftSharp left, heading NE.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading N.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Prospect Ledge Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.8 mi in (~22 min). Leave by 7:20 PM for the 8:01 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Prospect Ledge Trail Trailhead
- Bishop's Grave Cartway–Cedar Swamp Trail Loop, 6 sights 4.8 mi · ▲ 412 ft
- Bear's Den Trail–Conomo Drive, 5 sights 6.3 mi · ▲ 371 ft
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