Sunset hikes near Chelmsford Center, ma

A short walk out, the whole show, and back at your car before dark. Times are estimates at a relaxed pace; give yourself extra buffer, especially with kids or in a group.

1. Gilson Hill–Fitness Trail (red), 5 sights 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:08 PM
   2. Sunset8:03 PM
   3. Head back8:18 PM
   4. At your car8:52 PM
   5. Dark8:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 160 ft climb · 68 min of walking

2. Hart Farm Trail & Old Morse Road 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:22 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:22 PM
   2. Sunset8:03 PM
   3. Head back8:18 PM
   4. At your car8:38 PM
   5. Dark8:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 40 min of walking

3. Orange Goose Loop 2.5 mi away

   Be there by 7:43 PM

   1. Be there7:43 PM
   2. Sunset8:03 PM
   3. Dark8:35 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:35 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

4. Litchfield Loop 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 7:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:37 PM
   2. Sunset8:03 PM
   3. Head back8:18 PM
   4. At your car8:24 PM
   5. Dark8:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:24 PM — 11 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 11 min of walking

5. Acorn North & Acorn Trail 2.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:22 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:22 PM
   2. Sunset8:03 PM
   3. Head back8:18 PM
   4. At your car8:37 PM
   5. Dark8:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 40 min of walking

6. Russell Mill Pond & Green Birdhouse Loop via Orange Goose Loop 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 7:17 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:17 PM
   2. Sunset8:03 PM
   3. Head back8:18 PM
   4. At your car8:43 PM
   5. Dark8:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 52 min of walking

7. Thanksgiving Rocks–Russell Mill Pond Loop, 7 sights 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:38 PM
   2. Sunset8:03 PM
   3. Head back8:18 PM
   4. At your car8:24 PM
   5. Dark8:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:24 PM — 11 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walking

8. Primary Trail 6 mi away

   Be there by 7:44 PM

   1. Be there7:44 PM
   2. Sunset8:04 PM
   3. Dark8:36 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:36 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

9. Prospect Hill (468')–Sparks Hill, 6 summits 6 mi away

   Leave by 6:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:39 PM
   2. Sunset8:04 PM
   3. Head back8:19 PM
   4. At your car9:25 PM
   5. Dark8:35 PM

   Back at your car by 9:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 270 ft climb · 131 min of walking

10. Sparks Hill via orange 6.5 mi away

    Leave by 7:07 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:07 PM
    2. Sunset8:04 PM
    3. Head back8:19 PM
    4. At your car8:55 PM
    5. Dark8:35 PM

    Back at your car by 8:55 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 200 ft climb · 73 min of walking

11. Smith Pond via Tom Paul Trail 6 mi away

    Leave by 7:37 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:37 PM
    2. Sunset8:04 PM
    3. Head back8:19 PM
    4. At your car8:25 PM
    5. Dark8:35 PM

    Back at your car by 8:25 PM — 10 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 12 min of walking

12. NARA Park Beach–Little Desert Loop, 3 sights 5.4 mi away

    Leave by 7:38 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:38 PM
    2. Sunset8:04 PM
    3. Head back8:19 PM
    4. At your car8:22 PM
    5. Dark8:35 PM

    Back at your car by 8:22 PM — 13 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 9 min of walking