Sunset hikes near Ruralville, 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. Sampson's Pebble–Long Pond, 7 sights 6 mi away

   Leave by 6:06 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:06 PM
   2. Sunset8:05 PM
   3. Head back8:20 PM
   4. At your car9:58 PM
   5. Dark8:37 PM

   Back at your car by 9:58 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.8 mi to the viewpoint · 270 ft climb · 197 min of walking

2. Long Pond–Browning Pond, 4 lakes 6 mi away

   Leave by 6:05 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:05 PM
   2. Sunset8:05 PM
   3. Head back8:20 PM
   4. At your car9:59 PM
   5. Dark8:37 PM

   Back at your car by 9:59 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.8 mi to the viewpoint · 270 ft climb · 199 min of walking

3. Oak Hill–Long Pond, 4 lakes 6 mi away

   Leave by 5:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:48 PM
   2. Sunset8:05 PM
   3. Head back8:20 PM
   4. At your car10:17 PM
   5. Dark8:37 PM

   Back at your car by 10:17 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.6 mi to the viewpoint · 210 ft climb · 234 min of walking

4. Buck Hill Conservation Area–Spencer State Forest, 9 sights 8.6 mi away

   Leave by 7:16 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:16 PM
   2. Sunset8:06 PM
   3. Head back8:21 PM
   4. At your car8:44 PM
   5. Dark8:37 PM

   Back at your car by 8:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 220 ft climb · 52 min of walking

5. Muddy Pond–Prison Camp Fire Road, 3 sights 8.6 mi away

   Leave by 5:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:43 PM
   2. Sunset8:06 PM
   3. Head back8:21 PM
   4. At your car10:18 PM
   5. Dark8:37 PM

   Back at your car by 10:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.7 mi to the viewpoint · 290 ft climb · 240 min of walking

6. Midstate Trail 8.6 mi away

   Leave by 7:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:20 PM
   2. Sunset8:06 PM
   3. Head back8:21 PM
   4. At your car8:42 PM
   5. Dark8:37 PM

   Back at your car by 8:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 160 ft climb · 48 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

7. Mass Central Rail Trail 8.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:13 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:13 PM
   2. Sunset8:06 PM
   3. Head back8:21 PM
   4. At your car9:50 PM
   5. Dark8:37 PM

   Back at your car by 9:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.5 mi to the viewpoint · 230 ft climb · 182 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

8. Prison Camp Fire Road & T6 Trail via Kitchen Fire Road 8.8 mi away

   Leave by 7:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:28 PM
   2. Sunset8:06 PM
   3. Head back8:21 PM
   4. At your car8:35 PM
   5. Dark8:37 PM

   Back at your car by 8:35 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 32 min of walking

9. Path Continues 12.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:09 PM
   2. Sunset8:06 PM
   3. Head back8:21 PM
   4. At your car8:51 PM
   5. Dark8:37 PM

   Back at your car by 8:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 200 ft climb · 68 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. Mount Jefferson–Behind the Chimney Trail, 5 sights 13.3 mi away

    Leave by 7:10 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:10 PM
    2. Sunset8:06 PM
    3. Head back8:21 PM
    4. At your car8:56 PM
    5. Dark8:38 PM

    Back at your car by 8:56 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 190 ft climb · 71 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

11. Barnes Hill 13.8 mi away

    Leave by 7:36 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:36 PM
    2. Sunset8:04 PM
    3. Head back8:19 PM
    4. At your car8:25 PM
    5. Dark8:36 PM

    Back at your car by 8:25 PM — 11 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 14 min of walking

12. Clamshell Pond–Frog Pond, 5 sights 13.2 mi away

    Leave by 7:18 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:18 PM
    2. Sunset8:04 PM
    3. Head back8:19 PM
    4. At your car8:43 PM
    5. Dark8:36 PM

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

    0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 49 min of walking