Wachusett Mountain State Reservation
Needham Pool–Balance Rock Road, 5 sights
5.1 mi · ▲ 1,199 ft · 2 hr 18 min
Needham Pool–Balance Rock Road, 5 sights is a 5.1-mile out-and-back in Wachusett Mountain State Reservation near Leino Park, MA. The route reaches Needham Pool. It climbs 1,199 ft, with sections as steep as 24% grade. It scores 48/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Needham Pool–Balance Rock Road, 5 sights
5.1 mi · ▲ 1,199 ft · 2 hr 18 min
Elevation 1,208–1,725 ft
Out & Back · Wachusett Mountain State Reservation
Trailhead: West Side Trail · 42.49316, -71.90565
Weather Aug 4: Overcast, high 76°F / low 59° · precip 0% · wind 7 mph · sunrise 5:44 AM · sunset 8:05 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on West Side Trail, heading NE.
- 0.7 miTurn left onto Semuhenna Trail, heading N.
- 0.5 miBear left onto Old Indian Trail, heading N.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Balance Rock Road, heading W.
- 0.6 miPass Needham Pool.
- 250 ftTurn left onto North Road, heading SE.
- 0.5 miReach Needham Pool, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.5 miTurn right onto Balance Rock Road, heading NW.
- 0.7 miTurn right onto Old Indian Trail, heading E.
- 0.2 miBear right onto Semuhenna Trail, heading S.
- 0.5 miTurn right onto West Side Trail, heading SE.
- 0.6 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
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from West Side Trail Trailhead
- Harrington Viewpoint & West Side Trail 2.4 mi · ▲ 717 ft
- Old Indian - Quarry Viewpoint & West Side Trail 2.4 mi · ▲ 716 ft
- Needham Pool–Balance Rock Road, 4 sights 4.1 mi · ▲ 1,001 ft
- Brown Hill–Harrington/Mid State Viewpoint, 8 sights 8.3 mi · ▲ 1,865 ft
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