Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center
Introductory Buttress–The Slab, 11 sights
4.4 mi · ▲ 1,017 ft · 1 hr 59 min
Introductory Buttress–The Slab, 11 sights is a 4.4-mile out-and-back in Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center near Farley, MA. The route passes Waterfall, Tooleybush Turnpike Sunset Point, Buoux Buttress and The Slab before reaching Introductory Buttress at the turnaround, 2.2 miles in. It climbs 1,017 ft, with sections as steep as 52% grade. It scores 35/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Introductory Buttress–The Slab, 11 sights
4.4 mi · ▲ 1,017 ft · 1 hr 59 min
Elevation 485–1,090 ft
Out & Back · Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center
Trailhead: NET/M&M Trail · 42.60160, -72.43945
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:36 AM · sunset 6:53 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on NET/M&M Trail, heading N.
- 0.3 miPass Waterfall.
- 0.1 miSharp left onto Orange/White Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miSharp right onto Orange Trail, heading W.
- 0.4 miTurn right onto Yellow Trail, heading W.
- 150 ftBear left onto Blue Trail, heading N.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto 10th Mountain Division, heading NW.
- 0.2 miSharp left onto Hill N Dale, heading N.
- 50 ftPass Tooleybush Turnpike Sunset Point.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Rose Ledge Trail, heading W.
- 0.3 miContinue straight onto Lower Ledge Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftPass Buoux Buttress.
- 50 ftPass The Slab.
- 0.4 miTurn left onto Rock Oak Ramble, heading NW.
- 50 ftPass Introductory Buttress.
- 400 ftTurn left onto Talus Toe, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto 10th Mountain Division, heading SE.
- 0.7 miTurn right onto Blue Trail, heading NE.
- 0.1 miBear right onto Yellow Trail, heading SE.
- 0.5 miTurn left onto Red Trail, heading E.
- 0.3 miSharp right onto NET/M&M Trail, heading N.
- 0.1 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 0.5 mi in (~24 min). Leave by 6:08 PM for the 6:53 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:21 PM — 0 min before dark. 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
- Waterfall–Tooleybush Turnpike Sunset Point, 7 sights 6.2 mi · ▲ 1,218 ft
- Gold Dot–Hermits Castle Trail, 3 sights 3.1 mi · ▲ 653 ft
- Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center Sunset Point–Waterfall, 5 sights 4.1 mi · ▲ 839 ft
- Northfield Mountain Reservoir–Waterfall, 7 sights 3.9 mi · ▲ 660 ft
- Hemlock Hill Sunset Point–Waterfall, 8 sights 4.1 mi · ▲ 807 ft
- Green Trail & Rattlesnake Loop 2.6 mi · ▲ 807 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Farley, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Farley, Massachusetts