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

   Leave by 6:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:21 PM
   2. Sunset6:47 PM
   3. Head back7:02 PM
   4. At your car7:07 PM
   5. Dark7:15 PM

   Back at your car by 7:07 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 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:21 PM
   2. Sunset6:47 PM
   3. Head back7:02 PM
   4. At your car7:07 PM
   5. Dark7:15 PM

   Back at your car by 7:07 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 11 min of walking

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

   Leave by 4:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:31 PM
   2. Sunset6:47 PM
   3. Head back7:02 PM
   4. At your car8:58 PM
   5. Dark7:15 PM

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

   4.5 mi to the viewpoint · 200 ft climb · 232 min of walking

4. Sampson's Pebble–Long Pond, 7 sights 6 mi away

   Leave by 4:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:38 PM
   2. Sunset6:47 PM
   3. Head back7:02 PM
   4. At your car8:49 PM
   5. Dark7:15 PM

   Back at your car by 8:49 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.2 mi to the viewpoint · 270 ft climb · 216 min of walking

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

   Leave by 4:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:37 PM
   2. Sunset6:47 PM
   3. Head back7:02 PM
   4. At your car8:52 PM
   5. Dark7:15 PM

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

   4.2 mi to the viewpoint · 280 ft climb · 220 min of walking

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

   Leave by 4:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:27 PM
   2. Sunset6:47 PM
   3. Head back7:02 PM
   4. At your car8:56 PM
   5. Dark7:15 PM

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

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

7. Midstate Trail 8.6 mi away

   Leave by 5:57 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:57 PM
   2. Sunset6:47 PM
   3. Head back7:02 PM
   4. At your car7:28 PM
   5. Dark7:15 PM

   Back at your car by 7:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

8. Mass Central Rail Trail 8.6 mi away

   Leave by 4:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:59 PM
   2. Sunset6:47 PM
   3. Head back7:02 PM
   4. At your car8:28 PM
   5. Dark7:15 PM

   Back at your car by 8:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

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

   Leave by 6:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:14 PM
   2. Sunset6:47 PM
   3. Head back7:02 PM
   4. At your car7:13 PM
   5. Dark7:15 PM

   Back at your car by 7:13 PM — 2 min before dark.

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

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

    Leave by 5:48 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:48 PM
    2. Sunset6:47 PM
    3. Head back7:02 PM
    4. At your car7:36 PM
    5. Dark7:15 PM

    Back at your car by 7:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

11. Campground Road 8.2 mi away

    Leave by 5:48 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:48 PM
    2. Sunset6:46 PM
    3. Head back7:01 PM
    4. At your car7:35 PM
    5. Dark7:14 PM

    Back at your car by 7:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

12. Bell Hill Park Beach–Hermitage Pond Loop, 3 beaches 10 mi away

    Leave by 6:08 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
    2. Sunset6:46 PM
    3. Head back7:01 PM
    4. At your car7:15 PM
    5. Dark7:14 PM

    Back at your car by 7:15 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 32 min of walking