Gold Dot–Hermits Castle Trail, 3 sights
3.1 mi · ▲ 653 ft · 1 hr 22 min
Gold Dot–Hermits Castle Trail, 3 sights is a 3.1-mile out-and-back in Erving State Forest near Farley, MA. It climbs 653 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade. It scores 14/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Gold Dot–Hermits Castle Trail, 3 sights
3.1 mi · ▲ 653 ft · 1 hr 22 min
Elevation 485–930 ft
Out & Back · Erving State Forest
Trailhead: NET/M&M Trail · 42.60160, -72.43945
Weather Aug 4: Mostly clear, high 81°F / low 64° · precip 0% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 5:45 AM · sunset 8:08 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on NET/M&M Trail, heading N.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Gold Dot, heading E.
- 0.6 miBear right onto NET/M&M Trail, heading E.
- 0.2 miSharp right onto Hermits Castle Trail, heading SE.
- 0.5 miReach NET/M&M Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.5 miSharp left onto NET/M&M Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miBear left onto Gold Dot, heading W.
- 0.6 miContinue straight onto NET/M&M Trail, heading W.
- 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 1.1 mi in (~39 min). Leave by 7:09 PM for the 8:08 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:49 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from NET/M&M Trail Trailhead
- Rattlesnake Mountain–Waterfall, 6 sights 2.2 mi · ▲ 708 ft
- Green Trail & Rattlesnake Loop 2.6 mi · ▲ 807 ft
- Northfield Mountain Reservoir–Waterfall, 7 sights 3.9 mi · ▲ 660 ft
- Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center Sunset Point–Waterfall, 5 sights 4.1 mi · ▲ 839 ft
- Hemlock Hill Sunset Point–Waterfall, 8 sights 4.1 mi · ▲ 807 ft
- Introductory Buttress–The Slab, 11 sights 4.4 mi · ▲ 1,017 ft
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Hikes near Farley, Massachusetts