Boston Area Conditioning Hike Series: Trail Trace Wachusett Mt
Details
Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 6 - Strenuous
Trip Leader(s): Holly Riehl, Julie Huber
Registration Type: Registration
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX0000012Tq9
Register By: 4/15/2026
Audience: Adults
Description: Wondering about what to do during mud season? Julie and Holly have curated 3 hikes near Boston that will keep you in shape for summer hiking. Join us for one, two or all three hikes.
You probably know the “Waa Waa Wachusett Mountain” advertising jingle. Did you also know that Mount Wachusett rises above the surrounding forest to a height of 2006 ft and boosts 17 miles of trails?
For the 3 rd hike in the series and the capstone, we will trail trace the Reservations at a steady moderate pace (average 2.0-2.5 mph) completing ~ 17 miles of hiking trails (non-roads), summiting not once but twice and reaching an elevation gain of ~ 4400 ft. From the summit on a clear day we will be rewarded by 360 degree views including Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire, the Berkshires to the west, and the Boston skyline to the east. The 3,000-acre Wachusett Mountain State Reservation surrounds the summit and includes forests, alpine meadows, ponds, streams, fields, and even a perched bog. Our moving time will be 8-9 hours with a total time of 10-11 hours. Participants should be in good shape and able to hike at a pace of 2.0-2.5 mph for 8-9 hours. Please bring plenty of snacks. We will take a few short breaks and a slightly longer break for lunch. A suggestion for how much water to bring will be made a couple of days prior to the hike depending on the temperature that day, as will the recommendations for rain gear and layering.
This hike is part of a 3 hike conditioning series. Join us for 1, 2 or all 3 hikes. The other 2 hikes are: April 9: Trail Trace Crane Estate, Ipswich MA , ~ 14 miles and ~800 ft gain April 13 (rain date April 14): Hike to almost every corner of the Winchester, Medford, and Melrose Fells, ~ 14 mile conditioning hike with ~ 3000 ft gain
Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!