Wachusett Mountain State Reservation
Mount Wachusett–Balance Rock, 5 sights
3.3 mi · ▲ 970 ft · 1 hr 35 min
Mount Wachusett–Balance Rock, 5 sights is a 3.3-mile out-and-back in Wachusett Mountain State Reservation near Leino Park, MA. The route passes Balance Rock and Mount Wachusett before reaching Mountain House Viewpoint at the turnaround, 1.7 miles in. It climbs 970 ft, with sections as steep as 26% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 29/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Mount Wachusett–Balance Rock, 5 sights
3.3 mi · ▲ 970 ft · 1 hr 35 min
Elevation 1,024–2,000 ft
Out & Back · Wachusett Mountain State Reservation
Trailhead: Balance Rock Trail · 42.50433, -71.88853
Weather Sep 20: Heavy drizzle, high 56°F / low 47° · precip 63% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 6:33 AM · sunset 6:50 PM
Transit-accessible: Wachusett Shuttle Stop stop 250 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Balance Rock Trail, heading W.
- 0.3 miPass Balance Rock.
- 200 ftBear right onto Balance Rock Road, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Old Indian Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miBear right onto Semuhenna Trail, heading S.
- 0.5 miTurn left onto West Side Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miSharp right onto Old Indian Trail, heading NE.
- 0.4 miPass Mountain House Viewpoint.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 50 ftSharp right onto Mountain House Trail, heading SE.
- 50 ftReach Mount Wachusett, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 50 ftSharp left, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Old Indian Trail, heading SE.
- 0.4 miSharp left onto West Side Trail, heading NW.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Semuhenna Trail, heading SW.
- 0.5 miBear left onto Old Indian Trail, heading N.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Balance Rock Road, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear left onto Balance Rock Trail, heading NE.
- 0.3 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
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: Wachusett Shuttle Stop stop 250 m from the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Balance Rock Trail Trailhead
- Balance Rock–Harrington/Mid State Viewpoint, 12 sights 10 mi · ▲ 2,052 ft
- Balance Rock–Harrington/Mid State Viewpoint, 6 sights 4.7 mi · ▲ 1,632 ft
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