Crystal Lake & North Central Pathway

2.3 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 47 min

Crystal Lake & North Central Pathway is a 2.3-mile out-and-back near Gardner, MA. The route reaches Crystal Lake at the turnaround, 1.1 miles in. It is mostly level, with 27 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 1/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi1,116 – 1,168 ft2.4 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: North Central Pathway 42.59591, -71.98710
Nearest town Gardner, MA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Crystal Lake & North Central Pathway

2.3 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 47 min

Elevation 1,116–1,167 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: North Central Pathway · 42.59591, -71.98710

Weather Aug 4: Heavy rain, high 75°F / low 64° · precip 94% · wind 7 mph · sunrise 5:44 AM · sunset 8:06 PM

Bikes allowed on the whole route · Transit-accessible: Mount Wachusett Community College - Main Entrance stop 493 m from the trailhead

  1. Start on North Central Pathway, heading S.
  2. 1.2 miReach Crystal Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  3. 1.1 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

100% paved

Weather

Heavy rainTemperature 75°F64°
Precip94%Wind7 mphUV3Humidity79%
Rained 3″ 4 days ago
Hourly temperatureRain chance
75°60° 12 AM: 2% rain1 AM: 3% rain2 AM: 10% rain3 AM: 48% rain4 AM: 59% rain5 AM: 80% rain6 AM: 83% rain7 AM: 89% rain8 AM: 94% rain9 AM: 92% rain10 AM: 65% rain11 AM: 53% rain12 PM: 47% rain1 PM: 31% rain2 PM: 50% rain3 PM: 44% rain4 PM: 49% rain5 PM: 64% rain6 PM: 34% rain7 PM: 7% rain8 PM: 1% rain
Sunrise 5:44 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:06 PM
Tue 78°60°
Wed 78°60°
Thu 85°64° 50%
Fri 91°68° 35%
Sat 88°69° 36%
Sun 91°67°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.7 mi in (~16 min). Leave by 7:30 PM for the 8:06 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Bikes allowed on the whole route
  • Transit-accessible: Mount Wachusett Community College - Main Entrance stop 493 m from the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination