AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge

Desert Loop Trail–Desert Trail, 4 sights

5.4 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 1 hr 49 min

Desert Loop Trail–Desert Trail, 4 sights is a 5.4-mile out-and-back in Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge near Pine Lake, MA. It is mostly level, with 27 ft of elevation gain. It scores 17/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi167 – 217 ft5.6 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Harry's Way 42.40042, -71.46351
Nearest town Pine Lake, MA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Desert Loop Trail–Desert Trail, 4 sights

5.4 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 1 hr 49 min

Elevation 168–216 ft

Out & Back · Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge

Trailhead: Harry's Way · 42.40042, -71.46351

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

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Harry's Way, heading N.
  2. 0.3 miTurn left onto Pine Garden Trail, heading SW.
  3. 0.3 miBear left onto Tri-Town Trail, heading S.
  4. 0.5 miBear right, heading S.
  5. 0.5 miTurn right onto Fisher Trail, heading SW.
  6. 0.8 miTurn right, heading SE.
  7. 150 ftBear left onto Desert Trail, heading SE.
  8. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Desert Loop Trail, heading SE.
  9. 0.1 miReach Pine Garden Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  10. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Desert Trail, heading SE.
  11. 0.2 miBear right, heading NW.
  12. 150 ftTurn left onto Fisher Trail, heading NW.
  13. 1.3 miBear left, heading NE.
  14. 350 ftContinue straight onto Tri-Town Trail, heading NE.
  15. 0.5 miBear right onto Pine Garden Trail, heading N.
  16. 0.3 miTurn right onto Harry's Way, heading E.
  17. 0.3 miArrive 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-puffer-pond-out-back-9-km-246b

Trail surface

39% dirt8% paved53% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 5:42 AMSunset 8:03 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.8 mi in (~19 min). Leave by 7:25 PM for the 8:03 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Harry's Way Trailhead

Hikes near Pine Lake, Massachusetts