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. Prospect Hill (468')–Sparks Hill, 6 summits 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:39 PM
   2. Sunset8:04 PM
   3. Head back8:19 PM
   4. At your car9:25 PM
   5. Dark8:35 PM

   Back at your car by 9:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 270 ft climb · 131 min of walking

2. Sparks Hill via orange 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 7:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:07 PM
   2. Sunset8:04 PM
   3. Head back8:19 PM
   4. At your car8:55 PM
   5. Dark8:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:55 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 200 ft climb · 73 min of walking

3. Red Viewpoint–Wills Hole, 4 beaches 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 7:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:38 PM
   2. Sunset8:04 PM
   3. Head back8:19 PM
   4. At your car8:22 PM
   5. Dark8:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:22 PM — 13 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 9 min of walking

4. Wills Hole–NARA Park Beach, 4 lakes 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 7:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:38 PM
   2. Sunset8:04 PM
   3. Head back8:19 PM
   4. At your car8:22 PM
   5. Dark8:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:22 PM — 13 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 9 min of walking

5. NARA Park Beach–Little Desert Loop, 3 sights 3 mi away

   Leave by 7:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:38 PM
   2. Sunset8:04 PM
   3. Head back8:19 PM
   4. At your car8:22 PM
   5. Dark8:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:22 PM — 13 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 9 min of walking

6. Nara Pond–NARA Park Beach, 3 beaches 3 mi away

   Leave by 7:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:38 PM
   2. Sunset8:04 PM
   3. Head back8:19 PM
   4. At your car8:22 PM
   5. Dark8:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:22 PM — 13 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 10 min of walking

7. Fishing Pond & Little Desert Loop via Nashua Acton & Boston Railroad Trail 3 mi away

   Leave by 7:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:38 PM
   2. Sunset8:04 PM
   3. Head back8:19 PM
   4. At your car8:22 PM
   5. Dark8:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:22 PM — 13 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 10 min of walking

8. Burns Hill 325'–Heron Rookery, 5 sights 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 7:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:34 PM
   2. Sunset8:04 PM
   3. Head back8:19 PM
   4. At your car8:29 PM
   5. Dark8:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:29 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 21 min of walking

9. Heron Rookery–basin, 3 lakes 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:29 PM
   2. Sunset8:04 PM
   3. Head back8:19 PM
   4. At your car8:34 PM
   5. Dark8:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:34 PM — 1 min before dark.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 30 min of walking

10. Long Lake via Wilderness Road 1 mi away

    Leave by 7:26 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:26 PM
    2. Sunset8:04 PM
    3. Head back8:19 PM
    4. At your car8:34 PM
    5. Dark8:35 PM

    Back at your car by 8:34 PM — 1 min before dark.

    0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 34 min of walking

11. Wilderness Hill & Wilderness Viewpoint via Wilderness Road 1.1 mi away

    Leave by 7:27 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:27 PM
    2. Sunset8:04 PM
    3. Head back8:19 PM
    4. At your car8:34 PM
    5. Dark8:35 PM

    Back at your car by 8:34 PM — 2 min before dark.

    0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 32 min of walking

12. Newtown Hill–Doleful Pond, 4 summits 1 mi away

    Leave by 7:30 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:30 PM
    2. Sunset8:04 PM
    3. Head back8:19 PM
    4. At your car8:30 PM
    5. Dark8:35 PM

    Back at your car by 8:30 PM — 6 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 24 min of walking