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 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:21 PM
   2. Sunset6:45 PM
   3. Head back7:00 PM
   4. At your car7:03 PM
   5. Dark7:13 PM

   Back at your car by 7:03 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 8 min of walking

2. Fort Meadow Reservoir & Assabet River Rail Trail 0.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:17 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:17 PM
   2. Sunset6:45 PM
   3. Head back7:00 PM
   4. At your car7:08 PM
   5. Dark7:13 PM

   Back at your car by 7:08 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 16 min of walking

3. Assabet River Rail Trail 0.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
   2. Sunset6:45 PM
   3. Head back7:00 PM
   4. At your car7:03 PM
   5. Dark7:13 PM

   Back at your car by 7:03 PM — 11 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walking

4. Vaughn Hills–Bare Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, 3 sights 6.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:10 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:10 PM
   2. Sunset6:46 PM
   3. Head back7:01 PM
   4. At your car7:13 PM
   5. Dark7:14 PM

   Back at your car by 7:13 PM — 1 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 27 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

5. Bare Hill Wildlife Sanctuary–Bowers Springs Trail, 3 sights 6.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:00 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:00 PM
   2. Sunset6:46 PM
   3. Head back7:01 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:14 PM

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

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 49 min of walking

6. Powell/Reed/Abbot (yellow blaze) via Bare Hill Wildlife Sanctuary 6.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:11 PM
   2. Sunset6:46 PM
   3. Head back7:01 PM
   4. At your car7:11 PM
   5. Dark7:14 PM

   Back at your car by 7:11 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 26 min of walking

7. Thurston's Beach–Bare Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, 4 sights 6.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:16 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:16 PM
   2. Sunset6:46 PM
   3. Head back7:01 PM
   4. At your car7:07 PM
   5. Dark7:14 PM

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

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 15 min of walking

8. Tippling Rock via Bay Circuit Trail 6.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:47 PM
   2. Sunset6:45 PM
   3. Head back7:00 PM
   4. At your car7:33 PM
   5. Dark7:13 PM

   Back at your car by 7:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

9. Nupp'se Pond via Bay Circuit Trail 6.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:48 PM
   2. Sunset6:45 PM
   3. Head back7:00 PM
   4. At your car7:32 PM
   5. Dark7:13 PM

   Back at your car by 7:32 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 260 ft climb · 69 min of walking

10. Nobscot Hill–Falling Rock Ridge, 3 cliffs 6.9 mi away

    Leave by 5:49 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:49 PM
    2. Sunset6:45 PM
    3. Head back7:00 PM
    4. At your car7:31 PM
    5. Dark7:13 PM

    Back at your car by 7:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 230 ft climb · 67 min of walking

11. Jethro Trail & Tower Trail via Bay Circuit Trail 6.9 mi away

    Leave by 5:49 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:49 PM
    2. Sunset6:45 PM
    3. Head back7:00 PM
    4. At your car7:31 PM
    5. Dark7:13 PM

    Back at your car by 7:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 230 ft climb · 67 min of walking

12. Mountain Laurel Trail–Primary Trail, 3 sights 5.9 mi away

    Leave by 6:03 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:03 PM
    2. Sunset6:46 PM
    3. Head back7:01 PM
    4. At your car7:19 PM
    5. Dark7:14 PM

    Back at your car by 7:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 170 ft climb · 42 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint