Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge
Duck Pond–Desert Trail, 3 sights
7.9 mi · ▲ 28 ft · 2 hr 39 min
Duck Pond–Desert Trail, 3 sights is a 7.9-mile out-and-back in Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge near Lower Village, MA. The route reaches Duck Pond at the turnaround, 4 miles in. It is mostly level, with 28 ft of elevation gain. It scores 23/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Duck Pond–Desert Trail, 3 sights
7.9 mi · ▲ 28 ft · 2 hr 39 min
Elevation 167–214 ft
Out & Back · Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge
Trailhead: White Pond Road · 42.41888, -71.47415
Weather Aug 4: sunrise 5:42 AM · sunset 8:04 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on White Pond Road, heading S.
- 1.1 miTurn left, heading E.
- 150 ftTurn right onto Towhee Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miBear left onto Petapawag Trail, heading SE.
- 0.8 miBear right, heading S.
- 400 ftBear right, heading S.
- 0.5 miTurn right onto Fisher Trail, heading W.
- 0.8 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 150 ftBear left onto Desert Trail, heading SE.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Desert Loop Trail, heading SE.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Marsh to Desert Trail, heading SE.
- 200 ftTurn right onto Mass Central Rail Trail -- Wayside, heading E.
- 0.1 miReach Duck Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Marsh to Desert Trail, heading NW.
- 200 ftTurn right onto Desert Loop Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Desert Trail, heading W.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading NW.
- 150 ftTurn left onto Fisher Trail, heading NW.
- 1.2 miBear left, heading NE.
- 350 ftBear left onto Petapawag Trail, heading NE.
- 0.8 miBear right onto Towhee Trail, heading NW.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading N.
- 150 ftTurn right onto White Pond Road, heading N.
- 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
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.3 mi in (~57 min). Leave by 6:47 PM for the 8:04 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:16 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from White Pond Road Trailhead
- Towhee Trail Loop via White Pond Road 2.5 mi · ▲ 0 ft
- Lake Boon & White Pond Road via Patrol Road 3.4 mi · ▲ 0 ft
- Harry's Way–Pine Garden Trail Loop, 3 sights 4.1 mi · ▲ 0 ft
- Rice Tavern Foundation–Voss Pond, 5 sights 4.1 mi · ▲ 0 ft
- Track Road/Assabet River Rail Trail Easement Viewpoint–Track Road/Assabet River Rail Trail Easement, 3 sights 4.5 mi · ▲ 193 ft
- Cuttings Pond–Rice Tavern Foundation, 5 sights 4.6 mi · ▲ 0 ft
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