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. Cournoyer Pond–Blue Dot Trail (Bob Elms), 6 sights 0.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
   2. Sunset6:48 PM
   3. Head back7:03 PM
   4. At your car7:08 PM
   5. Dark7:16 PM

   Back at your car by 7:08 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walking

2. Blue Dot Trail (Bob Elms)–North Street Loop, 5 sights 0.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
   2. Sunset6:48 PM
   3. Head back7:03 PM
   4. At your car7:08 PM
   5. Dark7:16 PM

   Back at your car by 7:08 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 11 min of walking

3. Campground Road 6 mi away

   Leave by 5:50 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:50 PM
   2. Sunset6:48 PM
   3. Head back7:03 PM
   4. At your car7:37 PM
   5. Dark7:16 PM

   Back at your car by 7:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 72 min of walking

4. Oak Hill–Long Pond, 4 lakes 8.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:33 PM
   2. Sunset6:49 PM
   3. Head back7:04 PM
   4. At your car9:00 PM
   5. Dark7:17 PM

   Back at your car by 9:00 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.5 mi to the viewpoint · 200 ft climb · 232 min of walking

5. Sampson's Pebble–Long Pond, 7 sights 8.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:40 PM
   2. Sunset6:49 PM
   3. Head back7:04 PM
   4. At your car8:51 PM
   5. Dark7:17 PM

   Back at your car by 8:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.2 mi to the viewpoint · 270 ft climb · 216 min of walking

6. Long Pond–Browning Pond, 4 lakes 8.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:39 PM
   2. Sunset6:49 PM
   3. Head back7:04 PM
   4. At your car8:53 PM
   5. Dark7:17 PM

   Back at your car by 8:53 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.2 mi to the viewpoint · 280 ft climb · 220 min of walking

7. Midstate Trail 9.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
   2. Sunset6:49 PM
   3. Head back7:04 PM
   4. At your car7:21 PM
   5. Dark7:17 PM

   Back at your car by 7:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 160 ft climb · 39 min of walking

8. Wachusett Reservoir–Lancaster Mill Pond, 5 lakes 9.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:11 PM
   2. Sunset6:48 PM
   3. Head back7:03 PM
   4. At your car7:19 PM
   5. Dark7:16 PM

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

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 34 min of walking

9. Bell Hill Park Beach–Hermitage Pond Loop, 3 beaches 9.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:10 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:10 PM
   2. Sunset6:48 PM
   3. Head back7:03 PM
   4. At your car7:17 PM
   5. Dark7:16 PM

   Back at your car by 7:17 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 32 min of walking

10. Mine Shaft via East Side Trail (blue rctgl.) 9.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:27 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
    2. Sunset6:48 PM
    3. Head back7:03 PM
    4. At your car7:05 PM
    5. Dark7:16 PM

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

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

11. East Park–Bell Pond, 5 sights 9.9 mi away

    Leave by 6:11 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:11 PM
    2. Sunset6:48 PM
    3. Head back7:03 PM
    4. At your car7:16 PM
    5. Dark7:16 PM

    Back at your car by 7:16 PM — 0 min before dark.

    0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 30 min of walking

12. Hermitage Pond via East Side Trail (blue rctgl.) 9.7 mi away

    Leave by 5:50 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:50 PM
    2. Sunset6:48 PM
    3. Head back7:03 PM
    4. At your car7:36 PM
    5. Dark7:16 PM

    Back at your car by 7:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 240 ft climb · 71 min of walking