Sunset hikes near Holden 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. Blue Dot Trail (Bob Elms)–North Street Loop, 5 sights 3 mi away

   Leave by 6:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
   2. Sunset6:48 PM
   3. Head back7:03 PM
   4. At your car7:08 PM
   5. Dark7:16 PM

   Back at your car by 7:08 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 11 min of walking

2. Cournoyer Pond–Blue Dot Trail (Bob Elms), 6 sights 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
   2. Sunset6:48 PM
   3. Head back7:03 PM
   4. At your car7:08 PM
   5. Dark7:16 PM

   Back at your car by 7:08 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walking

3. Bell Hill Park Beach–Hermitage Pond, 4 sights 6.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:06 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:06 PM
   2. Sunset6:48 PM
   3. Head back7:03 PM
   4. At your car7:23 PM
   5. Dark7:16 PM

   Back at your car by 7:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 42 min of walking

4. East Park–Bell Pond, 5 lakes 6.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:12 PM
   2. Sunset6:48 PM
   3. Head back7:03 PM
   4. At your car7:18 PM
   5. Dark7:16 PM

   Back at your car by 7:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 31 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

5. Lake Quinsigamond–Mine Shaft, 4 lakes 6.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:15 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:15 PM
   2. Sunset6:48 PM
   3. Head back7:03 PM
   4. At your car7:13 PM
   5. Dark7:16 PM

   Back at your car by 7:13 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 23 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

6. Oak Hill via Midstate Trail 10 mi away

   Leave by 5:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:36 PM
   2. Sunset6:49 PM
   3. Head back7:04 PM
   4. At your car7:54 PM
   5. Dark7:17 PM

   Back at your car by 7:54 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 190 ft climb · 103 min of walking

7. Muddy Pond–Prison Camp Fire Road, 3 sights 10 mi away

   Leave by 4:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:29 PM
   2. Sunset6:49 PM
   3. Head back7:04 PM
   4. At your car8:58 PM
   5. Dark7:17 PM

   Back at your car by 8:58 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.6 mi to the viewpoint · 310 ft climb · 234 min of walking

8. Midstate Trail 10 mi away

   Leave by 5:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:59 PM
   2. Sunset6:49 PM
   3. Head back7:04 PM
   4. At your car7:30 PM
   5. Dark7:17 PM

   Back at your car by 7:30 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 180 ft climb · 56 min of walking

9. Mass Central Rail Trail 10 mi away

   Leave by 5:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:01 PM
   2. Sunset6:49 PM
   3. Head back7:04 PM
   4. At your car8:29 PM
   5. Dark7:17 PM

   Back at your car by 8:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.4 mi to the viewpoint · 220 ft climb · 174 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

10. Prison Camp Fire Road & T6 Trail via Kitchen Fire Road 10.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:16 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:16 PM
    2. Sunset6:49 PM
    3. Head back7:04 PM
    4. At your car7:15 PM
    5. Dark7:17 PM

    Back at your car by 7:15 PM — 2 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 24 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

11. Buck Hill Conservation Area–Spencer State Forest, 9 sights 9.5 mi away

    Leave by 5:50 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:50 PM
    2. Sunset6:49 PM
    3. Head back7:04 PM
    4. At your car7:37 PM
    5. Dark7:17 PM

    Back at your car by 7:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 220 ft climb · 72 min of walking

12. Sampson's Pebble–Long Pond, 5 sights 9.6 mi away

    Leave by 5:50 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:50 PM
    2. Sunset6:49 PM
    3. Head back7:04 PM
    4. At your car7:38 PM
    5. Dark7:17 PM

    Back at your car by 7:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 210 ft climb · 73 min of walking