Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge

Puffer Pond & Otter Alley Loop via Taylor Way

3.1 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 1 hr 2 min

Puffer Pond & Otter Alley Loop via Taylor Way is a 3.1-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 7/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi177 – 226 ft3.4 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.42064, -71.45712
Nearest town Maynard, MA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Puffer Pond & Otter Alley Loop via Taylor Way

3.1 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 1 hr 2 min

Elevation 177–228 ft

Loop · Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge

Trailhead: 42.42064, -71.45712

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

Transit-accessible: stop 590 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 350 ftBear right, heading S.
  3. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  4. 0.3 miTurn right, heading SE.
  5. 0.1 miTurn left onto Taylor Way, heading SW.
  6. 0.2 miSharp right onto Otter Alley, heading SE.
  7. 0.3 miTurn left, heading SW.
  8. 0.1 miPass Puffer Pond.
  9. 50 ftSharp right onto Harry's Way, heading S.
  10. 0.6 miTurn right, heading NW.
  11. 0.6 miTurn right onto Taylor Way, heading NE.
  12. 0.2 miTurn left, heading SE.
  13. 50 ftSharp right, heading SE.
  14. 0.2 miTurn right, heading S.
  15. 0.2 miTurn left, heading SE.
  16. 400 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  17. 50 ftBear left, heading NE.
  18. 150 ftThe 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 surface

43% dirt57% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 5:42 AMSunset 8:03 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.3 mi in (~31 min). Leave by 7:12 PM for the 8:03 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: stop 590 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

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