Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center
Porcupine Trail & Sidewinder via Hemlock Hill
2.1 mi · ▲ 555 ft · 59 min
Porcupine Trail & Sidewinder via Hemlock Hill is a 2.1-mile out-and-back in Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center near Northfield Farms, MA. It climbs 555 ft, with sections as steep as 21% grade. It scores 20/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Porcupine Trail & Sidewinder via Hemlock Hill
2.1 mi · ▲ 555 ft · 59 min
Elevation 274–838 ft
Out & Back · Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center
Trailhead: 42.61062, -72.47230
Weather Aug 4: Mostly clear, high 82°F / low 64° · precip 0% · wind 3 mph · sunrise 5:46 AM · sunset 8:08 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
- 150 ftBear left, heading E.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading SE.
- 200 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto 10th Mountain Division, heading SE.
- 450 ftBear left onto Hidden Quarry Trail, heading S.
- 200 ftContinue straight onto Hemlock Hill, heading S.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Cascade, heading NE.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 300 ftSharp left onto Bobcat Trail, heading E.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Sidewinder, heading NE.
- 500 ftTurn left onto Reservoir Road, heading N.
- 450 ftTurn left onto Hemlock Hill, heading NE.
- 0.3 miBear right onto Porcupine Trail, heading SW.
- 250 ftBear right, heading S.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Hemlock Hill, heading S.
- 200 ftContinue straight onto Hidden Quarry Trail, heading W.
- 200 ftBear right onto 10th Mountain Division, heading W.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading S.
- 150 ftSharp left, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear right, heading SW.
- 150 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 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 surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.8 mi in (~31 min). Leave by 7:17 PM for the 8:08 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from this trailhead
- Hemlock Hill Loop 1.9 mi · ▲ 202 ft
- Rock Oak Ramble Loop via Hemlock Hill 1.9 mi · ▲ 257 ft
- Hemlock Hill–Rock Oak Ramble, 4 sights 1.9 mi · ▲ 448 ft
- Sugarbush Loop via Hemlock Hill 2.1 mi · ▲ 224 ft
- Hemlock Hill Loop 2.1 mi · ▲ 224 ft
- Hemlock Hill Loop 2.1 mi · ▲ 203 ft
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Hikes near Northfield Farms, Massachusetts