Sunset hikes near Whipples, 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. Swift River Reservoir–Central Massachusetts Branch, 3 sights 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:09 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:09 PM — 11 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 5 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

2. Bacon Road 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:20 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:14 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:14 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 160 ft climb · 19 min of walking

3. Saint John Street 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:18 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:18 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 31 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

4. Chicopee River Reservoir 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:10 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:10 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:28 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

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

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 42 min of walking

5. Central Massachusetts Branch 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:51 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:51 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:47 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 81 min of walking

6. Massachusetts Central Rail Trail 4.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:09 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:09 PM — 11 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 5 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

7. Blood Donor / Night Owl–Fitzgerald's Follies, 4 sights 4.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:09 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:09 PM — 11 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 5 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

8. Piper Farm–Blood Donor / Night Owl, 6 sights 4.9 mi away

   Leave by 4:54 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:54 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car8:44 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

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

   3.8 mi to the viewpoint · 230 ft climb · 194 min of walking

9. Quabbin Hill & Observation Tower Trail 5.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:30 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

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

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 190 ft climb · 47 min of walking

10. Ludlow Reservoir 6.5 mi away

    Leave by 5:23 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:23 PM
    2. Sunset6:52 PM
    3. Head back7:07 PM
    4. At your car8:16 PM
    5. Dark7:20 PM

    Back at your car by 8:16 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 250 ft climb · 137 min of walking

11. Koala Sunset Point 6.5 mi away

    Leave by 5:24 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:24 PM
    2. Sunset6:52 PM
    3. Head back7:07 PM
    4. At your car8:15 PM
    5. Dark7:20 PM

    Back at your car by 8:15 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 260 ft climb · 135 min of walking

12. Backdrop 6.5 mi away

    Leave by 5:15 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:15 PM
    2. Sunset6:52 PM
    3. Head back7:07 PM
    4. At your car8:18 PM
    5. Dark7:20 PM

    Back at your car by 8:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.7 mi to the viewpoint · 420 ft climb · 148 min of walking