Gilson Hill–Gilson Hill Loop, 3 sights
1.3 mi · ▲ 170 ft · 31 min
Gilson Hill–Gilson Hill Loop, 3 sights is a 1.3-mile out-and-back in Billerica State Forest near River Pines, MA. The route reaches Gilson Hill at the turnaround, 0.5 miles in. It is mostly level, with 170 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Gilson Hill–Gilson Hill Loop, 3 sights
1.3 mi · ▲ 170 ft · 31 min
Elevation 143–312 ft
Out & Back · Billerica State Forest
Trailhead: 42.57628, -71.30373
Weather Aug 4: sunrise 5:41 AM · sunset 8:03 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading SE.
- 250 ftTurn right onto Yellow Rabbit, heading S.
- 450 ftBear right, heading S.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Gilson Hill Loop, heading SE.
- 50 ftBear left onto Northern Loop, heading SE.
- 50 ftSharp right onto Gilson Hill Loop, heading SE.
- 350 ftTurn right onto Gilson Hill Fireroad, heading SE.
- 0.1 miBear left onto Gilson Hill Loop, heading NE.
- 50 ftPass Gilson Hill.
- 50 ftBear right onto Gilson Hill Fireroad, heading S.
- 100 ftTurn left onto Gilson Hill Loop, heading S.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Fall Line Trail, heading S.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Gilson Hill Loop, heading S.
- 0.4 miTurn left onto Yellow Rabbit, heading NW.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading N.
- 450 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 150 ftArrive 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 0.5 mi in (~14 min). Leave by 7:29 PM for the 8:03 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:30 PM — 5 min before dark.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
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