The Monoliths–Bear's Den Trail, 4 sights
4 mi · ▲ 220 ft · 1 hr 27 min
The Monoliths–Bear's Den Trail, 4 sights is a 4-mile out-and-back in Manchester Essex Woods near South Essex, MA. The route reaches The Monoliths at the turnaround, 2 miles in. It is mostly level, with 220 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
The Monoliths–Bear's Den Trail, 4 sights
4 mi · ▲ 220 ft · 1 hr 27 min
Elevation 39–163 ft
Out & Back · Manchester Essex Woods
Trailhead: Homestead Trail · 42.61074, -70.77526
Weather Aug 4: Clear, high 82°F / low 62° · precip 0% · wind 7 mph · sunrise 5:39 AM · sunset 8:01 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Homestead Trail, heading S.
- 0.8 miSharp left onto Bear's Den Trail, heading SE.
- 0.1 miSharp right onto Old Manchester-Essex Road, heading SW.
- 0.3 miSharp left, heading NE.
- 250 ftTurn right onto Cedar Swamp Trail, heading E.
- 0.5 miSharp left, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Old School Street, heading NE.
- 0.1 miReach The Monoliths, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 0.2 miSharp right onto Cedar Swamp Trail, heading W.
- 0.5 miTurn left, heading W.
- 250 ftSharp right onto Old Manchester-Essex Road, heading SW.
- 0.3 miSharp left onto Bear's Den Trail, heading N.
- 0.1 miSharp right onto Homestead Trail, heading NW.
- 0.8 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
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.0 mi in (~27 min). Leave by 7:14 PM for the 8:01 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Homestead Trail Trailhead
- Millstone Hill–Bear's Den Trail, 3 sights 3.3 mi · ▲ 206 ft
- Ancient Line Trail–Bear's Den Trail, 6 sights 4.4 mi · ▲ 172 ft
- Bear's Den Trail–Bishop's Grave Cartway Loop, 5 sights 4.5 mi · ▲ 407 ft
- Conomo Drive–Homestead Trail, 3 sights 4.7 mi · ▲ 243 ft
- Caeser's Lane–Gas Line, 4 sights 4.8 mi · ▲ 250 ft
- Bear's Den Trail–Bishop's Grave Cartway, 6 sights 5.3 mi · ▲ 295 ft
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