Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge
Puffer Pond & Otter Alley via Taylor Way
2.6 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 52 min
Puffer Pond & Otter Alley via Taylor Way is a 2.6-mile out-and-back in Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge near Maynard, MA. The route reaches Puffer Pond at the turnaround, 1.2 miles in. It is mostly level, with 0 ft of elevation gain. It scores 3/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Puffer Pond & Otter Alley via Taylor Way
2.6 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 52 min
Elevation 180–214 ft
Out & Back · Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge
Trailhead: 42.41849, -71.45356
Weather Aug 4: sunrise 5:42 AM · sunset 8:03 PM
Transit-accessible: stop 252 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading N.
- 200 ftBear left, heading W.
- 0.2 miSharp left, heading NW.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Taylor Way, heading S.
- 0.2 miSharp right onto Otter Alley, heading SE.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Kingfisher Trail, heading S.
- 500 ftReach Puffer Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 500 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Otter Alley, heading N.
- 0.3 miSharp left onto Taylor Way, heading E.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading NW.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading N.
- 0.2 miSharp right, heading N.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading NE.
- 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 1.1 mi in (~28 min). Leave by 7:16 PM for the 8:03 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: stop 252 m from the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
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