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 mi away

   Leave by 6:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:25 PM
   2. Sunset6:48 PM
   3. Head back7:03 PM
   4. At your car7:07 PM
   5. Dark7:17 PM

   Back at your car by 7:07 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 8 min of walking

2. Mass Central Rail Trail -- Wayside 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:03 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:03 PM
   2. Sunset6:49 PM
   3. Head back7:04 PM
   4. At your car8:29 PM
   5. Dark7:17 PM

   Back at your car by 8:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.5 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 171 min of walking

3. French Road Pond–Ocean By-Pass, 3 sights 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:51 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:51 PM
   2. Sunset6:49 PM
   3. Head back7:04 PM
   4. At your car7:42 PM
   5. Dark7:17 PM

   Back at your car by 7:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 76 min of walking

4. Fort Meadow Reservoir & Assabet River Rail Trail 1.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:21 PM
   2. Sunset6:49 PM
   3. Head back7:04 PM
   4. At your car7:12 PM
   5. Dark7:17 PM

   Back at your car by 7:12 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 16 min of walking

5. Assabet River Rail Trail 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset6:49 PM
   3. Head back7:04 PM
   4. At your car7:06 PM
   5. Dark7:17 PM

   Back at your car by 7:06 PM — 11 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walking

6. Vaughn Hills–Bare Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, 3 sights 5.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:14 PM
   2. Sunset6:49 PM
   3. Head back7:04 PM
   4. At your car7:16 PM
   5. Dark7:17 PM

   Back at your car by 7:16 PM — 1 min before dark.

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

7. Powell/Reed/Abbot (yellow blaze) via Bare Hill Wildlife Sanctuary 5.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:15 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:15 PM
   2. Sunset6:49 PM
   3. Head back7:04 PM
   4. At your car7:15 PM
   5. Dark7:17 PM

   Back at your car by 7:15 PM — 2 min before dark.

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

8. North Peak–Thurston's Beach, 5 sights 5.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:20 PM
   2. Sunset6:49 PM
   3. Head back7:04 PM
   4. At your car7:10 PM
   5. Dark7:17 PM

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

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

9. Thurston's Beach–Bare Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, 4 sights 5.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:20 PM
   2. Sunset6:49 PM
   3. Head back7:04 PM
   4. At your car7:11 PM
   5. Dark7:17 PM

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

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

10. Secondary Viewpoint–Bare Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, 3 sights 6 mi away

    Leave by 6:28 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
    2. Sunset6:49 PM
    3. Head back7:04 PM
    4. At your car7:05 PM
    5. Dark7:17 PM

    Back at your car by 7:05 PM — 12 min before dark.

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

11. NHESP Certified Vernal Pool–Bare Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, 5 sights 6 mi away

    Be there by 6:28 PM

    1. Be there6:28 PM
    2. Sunset6:49 PM
    3. Dark7:17 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:17 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Bare Hill Wildlife Sanctuary & Vaughn Primary Trail - North via Bowers Springs Trail 6 mi away

    Be there by 6:28 PM

    1. Be there6:28 PM
    2. Sunset6:49 PM
    3. Dark7:17 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:17 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead