AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Deer Jump Reservation

Merrimack River Viewpoint–Bay Circuit Trail, 3 sights

6.6 mi · ▲ 274 ft · 2 hr 20 min

Merrimack River Viewpoint–Bay Circuit Trail, 3 sights is a 6.6-mile out-and-back in Deer Jump Reservation near Methuen, MA. The route reaches Merrimack River Viewpoint at the turnaround, 3.3 miles in. It climbs 274 ft, with sections as steep as 17% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi46 – 141 ft · steepest grade: 17%7.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Merrimac River Trail 42.69790, -71.20831
Nearest town Methuen, MA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Merrimack River Viewpoint–Bay Circuit Trail, 3 sights

6.6 mi · ▲ 274 ft · 2 hr 20 min

Elevation 46–140 ft

Out & Back · Deer Jump Reservation

Trailhead: Merrimac River Trail · 42.69790, -71.20831

Weather Aug 4: sunrise 5:40 AM · sunset 8:03 PM

Transit-accessible: Sawyer and Lowell stop 567 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Merrimac River Trail, heading N.
  2. 400 ftTurn left onto Merrimack River Trail, heading NW.
  3. 0.3 miBear left, heading W.
  4. 1.1 miTurn left, heading S.
  5. 300 ftBear right, heading SE.
  6. 100 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  7. 1.2 miTurn left, heading SW.
  8. 0.2 miTurn left onto Bay Circuit Trail, heading S.
  9. 0.1 miTurn right, heading SW.
  10. 0.4 miTurn right, heading SW.
  11. 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  12. 50 ftReach Merrimack River Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  13. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  14. 150 ftBear left, heading SW.
  15. 0.3 miTurn right, heading S.
  16. 0.1 miTurn right, heading NE.
  17. 0.2 miTurn right onto Merrimack River Trail, heading NE.
  18. 1.1 miTurn right, heading N.
  19. 0.1 miTurn left, heading N.
  20. 150 ftBear right, heading NE.
  21. 1.1 miTurn right, heading N.
  22. 0.3 miTurn right onto Merrimac River Trail, heading NE.
  23. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/merrimack-river-viewpoint-bay-circuit-trail-out-back-4-sights-8-km

Trail surface

82% dirt18% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 5:40 AMSunset 8:03 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.1 mi in (~77 min). Leave by 6:26 PM for the 8:03 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:34 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Sawyer and Lowell stop 567 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Merrimac River Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Methuen, Massachusetts