Sunset hikes near Townsend Harbor, 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. The Throne–West Throne Hill Conservation Land Loop, 3 groves 2.6 mi away

   Leave by 7:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:32 PM
   2. Sunset8:05 PM
   3. Head back8:20 PM
   4. At your car8:33 PM
   5. Dark8:36 PM

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

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 26 min of walking

2. West Throne Hill Conservation Land–Lawrence Land, 3 groves 2.8 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

3. Old Turnpike Road 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 7:02 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:02 PM
   2. Sunset8:05 PM
   3. Head back8:20 PM
   4. At your car8:57 PM
   5. Dark8:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:57 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 200 ft climb · 79 min of walking

4. Heald Pond–H2C, 3 sights 2.2 mi away

   Be there by 7:45 PM

   1. Be there7:45 PM
   2. Sunset8:05 PM
   3. Dark8:36 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:36 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

5. Lawrence Land & Archie Pond via Old Turnpike Road 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:44 PM
   2. Sunset8:05 PM
   3. Head back8:20 PM
   4. At your car9:18 PM
   5. Dark8:36 PM

   Back at your car by 9:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.2 mi to the viewpoint · 210 ft climb · 120 min of walking

6. Archie Pond 3.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:58 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:58 PM
   2. Sunset8:05 PM
   3. Head back8:20 PM
   4. At your car9:03 PM
   5. Dark8:36 PM

   Back at your car by 9:03 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 170 ft climb · 91 min of walking

7. Heading North & h2w 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 7:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:24 PM
   2. Sunset8:05 PM
   3. Head back8:20 PM
   4. At your car8:36 PM
   5. Dark8:37 PM

   Back at your car by 8:36 PM — 1 min before dark.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 36 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

8. Old Limestone Quarry via Nashua River Rail Trail 6.8 mi away

   Leave by 7:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:11 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.

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 65 min of walking

9. Pepperell Pond & Groton School Pond via Nashua River Rail Trail 6.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:14 PM
   2. Sunset8:04 PM
   3. Head back8:19 PM
   4. At your car9:51 PM
   5. Dark8:36 PM

   Back at your car by 9:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.6 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 182 min of walking

10. Wright-Nashua River Lot–City of Nashua Land, 3 groves 6.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:52 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:52 PM
    2. Sunset8:04 PM
    3. Head back8:19 PM
    4. At your car9:12 PM
    5. Dark8:36 PM

    Back at your car by 9:12 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.1 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 105 min of walking

11. Groton School Pond & Nashua River Rail Trail 6.5 mi away

    Leave by 7:38 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:38 PM
    2. Sunset8:04 PM
    3. Head back8:19 PM
    4. At your car8:23 PM
    5. Dark8:36 PM

    Back at your car by 8:23 PM — 13 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 10 min of walking

12. Squannacook River–Dead River, 4 sights 5.2 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