AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge

Puffer Pond–Otter Alley Loop, 4 sights

4.7 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 1 hr 34 min

Puffer Pond–Otter Alley Loop, 4 sights is a 4.7-mile loop in Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge near Maynard, MA. The route reaches Puffer Pond. It is mostly level, with 0 ft of elevation gain. It scores 11/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi177 – 226 ft5.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.42085, -71.45329
Nearest town Maynard, MA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Puffer Pond–Otter Alley Loop, 4 sights

4.7 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 1 hr 34 min

Elevation 177–228 ft

Loop · Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge

Trailhead: 42.42085, -71.45329

Weather Aug 4: sunrise 5:42 AM · sunset 8:03 PM

Transit-accessible: stop 338 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading W.
  2. 100 ftTurn right, heading W.
  3. 50 ftBear right, heading N.
  4. 250 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  5. 0.2 miTurn right, heading S.
  6. 0.2 miTurn right, heading SE.
  7. 150 ftSharp left, heading SE.
  8. 0.2 miBear right, heading S.
  9. 0.1 miTurn left onto Taylor Way, heading SW.
  10. 0.2 miSharp right onto Otter Alley, heading SE.
  11. 0.3 miTurn left, heading W.
  12. 0.1 miPass Puffer Pond.
  13. 150 ftContinue straight onto Harry's Way, heading S.
  14. 0.3 miContinue straight onto Pine Garden Trail, heading SW.
  15. 0.3 miSharp right onto Tri-Town Trail, heading W.
  16. 0.7 miTurn left onto Harry's Way, heading NE.
  17. 0.4 miTurn right, heading W.
  18. 0.6 miTurn right onto Taylor Way, heading NW.
  19. 0.2 miTurn left, heading E.
  20. 50 ftSharp right, heading E.
  21. 0.2 miTurn right, heading S.
  22. 0.2 miTurn left, heading E.
  23. 300 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  24. 150 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  25. 350 ftBear left, heading NE.
  26. 0.1 miThe loop closes 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/puffer-pond-loop-3245

Trail surface

32% dirt68% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 5:42 AMSunset 8:03 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.0 mi in (~50 min). Leave by 6:53 PM for the 8:03 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:09 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: stop 338 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Maynard, Massachusetts