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
Getting there
Directions
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
- Start at the trailhead, heading S.
- 350 ftBear right, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Taylor Way, heading SW.
- 0.2 miSharp right onto Otter Alley, heading SE.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.1 miPass Puffer Pond.
- 50 ftSharp right onto Harry's Way, heading S.
- 0.6 miTurn right, heading NW.
- 0.6 miTurn right onto Taylor Way, heading NE.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading SE.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading SE.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading SE.
- 400 ftTurn right, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear left, heading NE.
- 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
Weather
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.
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: stop 590 m from the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from this trailhead
- Cuttings Pond–Rice Tavern Foundation, 4 lakes 2.4 mi · ▲ 0 ft
- Rice Tavern Foundation–Voss Pond, 4 sights 2.8 mi · ▲ 0 ft
- Harry's Way–Otter Alley Loop, 4 sights 3.3 mi · ▲ 29 ft
- Thanksgiving Pond–Patrol Road, 5 sights 9.2 mi · ▲ 341 ft
- White Pond–Puffer Pond, 5 sights 9.4 mi · ▲ 0 ft
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