Sunset hikes near Princeton, 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. Cournoyer Pond–Blue Dot Trail (Bob Elms), 6 sights 3.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:25 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Head back7:05 PM
   4. At your car7:10 PM
   5. Dark7:18 PM

   Back at your car by 7:10 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walking

2. Blue Dot Trail (Bob Elms)–North Street Loop, 5 sights 4 mi away

   Leave by 6:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:24 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Head back7:05 PM
   4. At your car7:10 PM
   5. Dark7:18 PM

   Back at your car by 7:10 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 11 min of walking

3. Oak Hill 10.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:01 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:30 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

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

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 190 ft climb · 53 min of walking

4. Muddy Pond–Prison Camp Fire Road, 3 sights 9.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:31 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car9:00 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 9:00 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

5. Prison Camp Fire Road & T6 Trail via Kitchen Fire Road 9.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:18 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:18 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:16 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:16 PM — 2 min before dark.

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

6. Midstate Trail 9.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:01 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:32 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:32 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

7. Mass Central Rail Trail 9.6 mi away

   Leave by 5:02 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:02 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car8:31 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

8. Buck Hill Conservation Area–Spencer State Forest, 9 sights 10.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:52 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:52 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:39 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

9. Sampson's Pebble–Long Pond, 5 sights 10.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:52 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:52 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:40 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

10. Long Pond via Midstate Trail 10.2 mi away

    Leave by 5:51 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:51 PM
    2. Sunset6:51 PM
    3. Head back7:06 PM
    4. At your car7:40 PM
    5. Dark7:19 PM

    Back at your car by 7:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 230 ft climb · 75 min of walking

11. Underwood Conservation Area & Nonesuch Loop (yellow) 9 mi away

    Be there by 6:31 PM

    1. Be there6:31 PM
    2. Sunset6:51 PM
    3. Dark7:19 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:19 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Campground Road 8.8 mi away

    Leave by 5:52 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:52 PM
    2. Sunset6:50 PM
    3. Head back7:05 PM
    4. At your car7:39 PM
    5. Dark7:18 PM

    Back at your car by 7:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 72 min of walking