Sunset hikes near Shirley 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. West Throne Hill Conservation Land–Lawrence Land, 3 groves 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:32 PM
   2. Sunset8:05 PM
   3. Head back8:20 PM
   4. At your car8:34 PM
   5. Dark8:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:34 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 27 min of walking

2. Squannacook River–Dead River, 4 sights 2.4 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

3. Dead River & Lawrence Lane 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 7:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:30 PM
   2. Sunset8:04 PM
   3. Head back8:19 PM
   4. At your car8:33 PM
   5. Dark8:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:33 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 27 min of walking

4. Groton School Pond–Dead River, 3 lakes 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:12 PM
   2. Sunset8:04 PM
   3. Head back8:19 PM
   4. At your car8:51 PM
   5. Dark8:36 PM

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

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 64 min of walking

5. Archie Pond 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:43 PM
   2. Sunset8:05 PM
   3. Head back8:20 PM
   4. At your car8:21 PM
   5. Dark8:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:21 PM — 15 min before dark.

   0.0 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

6. Birchwood Hills–Holden Road Conservation Area, 5 sights 1.1 mi away

   Leave by 7:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:19 PM
   2. Sunset8:05 PM
   3. Head back8:20 PM
   4. At your car8:45 PM
   5. Dark8:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 52 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

7. Valley Farm Wildlife Sanctuary–Birchwood Hills, 5 groves 1.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:16 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:16 PM
   2. Sunset8:05 PM
   3. Head back8:20 PM
   4. At your car8:47 PM
   5. Dark8:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 57 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

8. Snake Hill–Rock Meadow Pond, 4 lakes 5.8 mi away

   Leave by 7:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:19 PM
   2. Sunset8:04 PM
   3. Head back8:19 PM
   4. At your car8:42 PM
   5. Dark8:36 PM

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

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 190 ft climb · 49 min of walking

9. Cady Pond 5.9 mi away

   Leave by 7:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:33 PM
   2. Sunset8:04 PM
   3. Head back8:19 PM
   4. At your car8:28 PM
   5. Dark8:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:28 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 20 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. Harvard Snowmobile Club Trail 6.1 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

11. Pin Hill South–Dolan Mason Trail, 4 sights 6.2 mi away

    Leave by 7:34 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:34 PM
    2. Sunset8:04 PM
    3. Head back8:19 PM
    4. At your car8:31 PM
    5. Dark8:36 PM

    Back at your car by 8:31 PM — 5 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 22 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

12. Pin Hill North–Dolan Mason Trail, 4 sights 6.2 mi away

    Leave by 7:34 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:34 PM
    2. Sunset8:04 PM
    3. Head back8:19 PM
    4. At your car8:31 PM
    5. Dark8:36 PM

    Back at your car by 8:31 PM — 5 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 22 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

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