While the vibrant city of Boston, Massachusetts, might not seem like the ideal place for hikers, the area just outside of the city offers a variety of excellent trails! The next time you need to leave the hustle of urban life behind and stretch your legs on a good hike, check out a few of these top trails just outside of Boston.
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Pitcher Mountain
Located about an hour and 45 minutes northwest of Boston in Stoddard, New Hampshire, Pitcher Mountain allows you to tackle a summit trail without trudging up the tall peaks of the White Mountains. This mountain offers a straight 0.2-mile walk to the top, making it one of the easiest summit hikes in New England. However, just because this hike is easy doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy some spectacular views once you reach the top. In fact, the 360-degree vista is a popular spot to catch the sunset.
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Wachusett Mountain State Reservation
Wachusett Mountain State Reservation is situated about an hour west of Boston. The reservation is home to the 2,006-foot Mount Wachusett, which is the tallest mountain near Boston. Not only is the mountain a popular destination for skiers in the winter, but it also offers plenty of hiking opportunities the rest of the year. The reservation has 17 miles of hiking trails, including the 2.6-mile Harrington Trail, which takes you to the summit of Mount Wachusett.
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Ward Reservation
If you travel 26 minutes north of downtown Boston, you’ll find Ward Reservation. This protected area offers 10 miles of trails with some unique spots to explore along the way. Hike to the top of the three hills in the reservation — Boston, Shrub, and Holt — to take in sweeping views of the surrounding area. While you’re at the top of Holt Hill, look for the Solstice Stones, which mark the cardinal points of the compass, the spring and autumn equinoxes, and the summer and winter solstices.
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Breakheart Reservation
Breakheart Reservation is located 22 minutes north of Boston, and it might just be one of the best-kept secrets in the area for excellent hiking opportunities. The 640-acre reservation sits along a section of the Saugus River and encompasses hardwood forests, lakes, hills, and rocky outcrops. The hills sit just over 200 feet in elevation, which makes them high enough to give you excellent views of Boston but not so high that you wear yourself out before you reach the top!
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Middlesex Fells Reservation
The 2,575-acre Middlesex Fells Reservation is situated just 6 miles north of Boston and attracts everyone from serious hikers to walkers out for a stroll. If you’re looking for something demanding, check out the 7-mile Skyline Trail that takes you across boulders, through woods, and alongside ponds. If you’re interested in something easier, the reservation has more than 100 miles of trails, so you’re sure to find something that will suit your ability level.
No matter what type of hiking experience you’re looking to have, you know you’ll enjoy a great day outside when you head to these top trails outside of Boston!
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