Wachusett Mountain State Reservation
Needham Pool–Balance Rock Road, 4 sights
4.1 mi · ▲ 1,001 ft · 1 hr 52 min
Needham Pool–Balance Rock Road, 4 sights is a 4.1-mile out-and-back in Wachusett Mountain State Reservation near Leino Park, MA. The route reaches Needham Pool at the turnaround, 2.1 miles in. It climbs 1,001 ft, with sections as steep as 23% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 47/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Needham Pool–Balance Rock Road, 4 sights
4.1 mi · ▲ 1,001 ft · 1 hr 52 min
Elevation 1,208–1,725 ft
Out & Back · Wachusett Mountain State Reservation
Trailhead: West Side Trail · 42.49316, -71.90565
Weather Aug 4: Overcast, high 76°F / low 59° · precip 0% · wind 7 mph · sunrise 5:44 AM · sunset 8:05 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on West Side Trail, heading NE.
- 0.7 miTurn left onto Semuhenna Trail, heading N.
- 0.5 miBear left onto Old Indian Trail, heading N.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Balance Rock Road, heading W.
- 0.7 miReach Needham Pool, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.7 miTurn right onto Old Indian Trail, heading SE.
- 0.2 miBear right onto Semuhenna Trail, heading S.
- 0.5 miTurn right onto West Side Trail, heading S.
- 0.6 miArrive 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
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from West Side Trail Trailhead
- Harrington Viewpoint & West Side Trail 2.4 mi · ▲ 717 ft
- Old Indian - Quarry Viewpoint & West Side Trail 2.4 mi · ▲ 716 ft
- Needham Pool–Balance Rock Road, 5 sights 5.1 mi · ▲ 1,199 ft
- Brown Hill–Harrington/Mid State Viewpoint, 8 sights 8.3 mi · ▲ 1,865 ft
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