Sunset hikes

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. Gospel Hill–Duck Pond, 4 lakes 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
   2. Sunset6:47 PM
   3. Head back7:02 PM
   4. At your car7:05 PM
   5. Dark7:15 PM

   Back at your car by 7:05 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 8 min of walking

2. Crane Meadows 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:16 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:16 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 · 22 min of walking

3. Ground 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:16 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:16 PM
   2. Sunset6:47 PM
   3. Head back7:02 PM
   4. At your car7:14 PM
   5. Dark7:15 PM

   Back at your car by 7:14 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 23 min of walking

4. Connector Trail–Hultman Aqueduct Trail, 3 sights 3.3 mi away

   Be there by 6:27 PM

   1. Be there6:27 PM
   2. Sunset6:47 PM
   3. Dark7:15 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:15 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

5. Cole Trail–Hultman Aqueduct Trail, 4 sights 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:54 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:54 PM
   2. Sunset6:47 PM
   3. Head back7:02 PM
   4. At your car8:36 PM
   5. Dark7:15 PM

   Back at your car by 8:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.7 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 188 min of walking

6. Beals Loop–Boroughs Loop Trail, 4 sights 3.3 mi away

   Be there by 6:27 PM

   1. Be there6:27 PM
   2. Sunset6:47 PM
   3. Dark7:15 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:15 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

7. Hultman Aqueduct Trail & Wachusett Aqueduct Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:55 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:55 PM
   2. Sunset6:47 PM
   3. Head back7:02 PM
   4. At your car8:35 PM
   5. Dark7:15 PM

   Back at your car by 8:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.8 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 185 min of walking

8. Assabet River Rail Trail 0.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:25 PM
   2. Sunset6:47 PM
   3. Head back7:02 PM
   4. At your car7:05 PM
   5. Dark7:15 PM

   Back at your car by 7:05 PM — 11 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walking

9. Fort Meadow Reservoir & Assabet River Rail Trail 0.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
   2. Sunset6:47 PM
   3. Head back7:02 PM
   4. At your car7:10 PM
   5. Dark7:15 PM

   Back at your car by 7:10 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 16 min of walking

10. Tippling Rock via Bay Circuit Trail 6.2 mi away

    Leave by 5:48 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:48 PM
    2. Sunset6:47 PM
    3. Head back7:02 PM
    4. At your car7:35 PM
    5. Dark7:15 PM

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

    1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 280 ft climb · 71 min of walking

11. Nupp'se Pond via Bay Circuit Trail 6.5 mi away

    Leave by 5:55 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:55 PM
    2. Sunset6:47 PM
    3. Head back7:02 PM
    4. At your car7:30 PM
    5. Dark7:15 PM

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

    1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 220 ft climb · 60 min of walking

12. Falling Rock Ridge via Bay Circuit Trail 6.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:01 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:01 PM
    2. Sunset6:47 PM
    3. Head back7:02 PM
    4. At your car7:25 PM
    5. Dark7:15 PM

    Back at your car by 7:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 49 min of walking