Manchester Essex Woods

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

0 mi52 – 138 ft5.3 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Prospect Ledge Trail 42.61189, -70.76979
Nearest town South Essex, MA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

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

  1. Start on Prospect Ledge Trail, heading S.
  2. 0.2 miTurn left, heading SW.
  3. 0.2 miSharp right, heading W.
  4. 50 ftTurn right onto Sam Hoar Memorial Trail, heading NW.
  5. 150 ftSharp left onto Old Manchester-Essex Road, heading S.
  6. 0.4 miTurn right onto Bear's Den Trail, heading SW.
  7. 0.3 miTurn right onto Bishop's Grave Cartway, heading S.
  8. 0.2 miTurn left, heading W.
  9. 450 ftTurn right onto Pulpit Rock, heading S.
  10. 0.5 miBear left onto Ancient Line Trail, heading W.
  11. 250 ftContinue straight onto Spruce Swamp Trail, heading S.
  12. 0.3 miTurn left, heading SW.
  13. 300 ftBear left, heading SW.
  14. 350 ftReach Prospect Ledge Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  15. 350 ftBear right, heading SW.
  16. 0.4 miContinue straight onto Ancient Line Trail, heading E.
  17. 50 ftBear left, heading E.
  18. 150 ftBear right, heading NE.
  19. 50 ftContinue straight onto Pulpit Rock, heading NE.
  20. 0.5 miTurn left, heading N.
  21. 450 ftTurn right onto Bishop's Grave Cartway, heading NE.
  22. 0.2 miTurn left onto Bear's Den Trail, heading NE.
  23. 0.3 miTurn left onto Old Manchester-Essex Road, heading N.
  24. 0.4 miSharp right onto Sam Hoar Memorial Trail, heading N.
  25. 150 ftTurn left, heading N.
  26. 50 ftSharp left, heading NE.
  27. 0.2 miTurn right, heading N.
  28. 150 ftContinue straight onto Prospect Ledge Trail, heading S.
  29. 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

36% dirt64% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 5:39 AMSunset 8:01 PM

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.

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Other ways to reach this destination

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