Mount Wachusett is so much fun every season of the year! This time I was there in July and hiked Pine tree Trail. It is the shortest trail however it is very steep and even though I'm from Massachusetts and I used to climb this mountain every year growing up, this was a challenge for me. I live in Florida and it's flat I had my map, a bottle of water, a protein bar, my phone and my windstorm whistle (the world's loudest). I felt pretty safe. With a lot of huffing and puffing and some encouragement by a few hikers along the way, I made it to the top. Just as I exited the trail, a park ranger stopped me and notified me that the summit was closed due to blasting! He said that by the time I go back down, I might be able to get to the summit. It was rather a disappointment, but I just laughed about it. Quirky things like this had happened my whole trip up to Massachusetts. On the way down, I found a walking stick that someone had made out of a branch and it really helped me because the rocks were huge and it was hard for me to maneuver. I then decided that I was going to take my shoes off and go, barefoot like I did as a child and it helped tremendously as my feet had better grip than with the shoes on. Once I hit the crossroads between trails and it was dirt, I had to put my shoes back on. I met a woman near the end of the trail and she hikes the pine tree trail all the time just for exercise. We talked until we hit the parking lot of the visitor station. Christine sells upcycled winter fashion. You can see her work at salvagesistas.com I also met a man at the summit with his three children, and I was highly impressed that he had his children out in the fresh air learning about Mount Wachusett, and all the great places they could see from the tower. read more

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It's been eight years since my last visit to the mountain. Amazing how it's changed yet remains the same! My bestie drove us and we paid $5 admission; I don't recall having to do that last time, but I'm happy to support the park. Drove up part way and parked at an overlook then walked to the top in the after heat. Beautiful vista of Nashoba Valley and Worcester county. You can see Mount Monadnock well but not Boston so much but as New England weather changes so do the vistas. Peaceful calm and very much worth the trip. Great memories of epic hikes. I love coming here because this place will always be home to me. Mount Wachusett, come check it!! =D read more

It is very nice view from the top. 360. You can see all the way to NH, VT, Boston. I didn't expect the view was very good, and could be very crowded, because this park is right next to ski resort. However, ski resort and hiking area is completely different. So I only saw hikers: good. Recommend to hike on a sunny day. read more

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My partner wanted a short hike to an overlook so we decided to try the Mountain House Trail in Princeton, MA. It costs $20 if you want to park at the visitor center and you have out of state plates. However, the Mountain House Trailhead has free parking across the street. The visitor center does have nice flushing toilets and access to drive to the summit. However, we're cheap and didn't want to pay. The trail isn't long but it's a rocky uphill. The 16 year old got to the summit which "was actually pretty cool" in about 15 minutes. The dog and the older folk took about 30 minutes. There was minimal whining from the 12 year old mainly due to the abundance of Pokémon available to catch and sufficient Pokestops along the way. The tower at the top is worth the extra climb. Chair lift was a nice place to rest for our picnic lunch. read more

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It's been a while since we last had hiked here and wanted to go with our furry best friend. Well our hike up the top was fairly quick and quite the work out too. We went up the Pine Hill Trail but on the way back we went on the Harrington to Jack Frost and meeting eventually to Bicentennial. The trails at first were marked but halfway down, the trail went cold and the markings as well. Thought we were lost until we eventually met up with some people Thank goodness. They helped us get back on Track and happily on our way home. So if you plan to go beware and be careful which trail you go on. I also used the Trails App which was helpful to some degree. The trail was ok for dogs but they have to be kept on leash for safety. Plenty of ledge, rocks and more rocks. You also pay a small parking fee, the view up the top was spectacular. read more

Wachusett Mountain State Reservation - Parks Near Me - Princeton, Massachusetts

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Wonderful spot to stop for a hike, take in fresh mountain air, & enjoy nature. So healing. There is an interesting display of bird species inside the info cabin, which also has maps & a little bit of local history muraled along the walls. Thanks for reading, Marlene read more

Beautiful tasty touch of nature around these here parts. You'll be delighted to hear-see rivers running, woodlands crunching, birds chirping, and squirrels smirking. The refreshingly fresh winds will ensure that you never breath the same air twice. The trails are kept in excellent condition, and the respective markings for trails are clear and easy to follow along with. Overall, they provide an adventuresome range and variety of trails to get your hike on. read more

Wachusett Mountain State Reservation - Peak - Parks Near Me - Princeton, Massachusetts

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Went here today for a nice drive and some pretty views! Cost to drive to the top is only $2 dollars. Not bad! Ride is about 8 minutes to the top without stopping. There are a few really nice lookouts on the way up:) At the top it's a short walk to the summit. There are a few lookout areas and some really nice views! For the hikers out there there are many different trails up or you can walk the road! It was a nice Sunday trip!:) enjoy! read more

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It's hard to believe this, but we have just discovered all of the hiking possibilities that Wachusett has to offer. We have come up here to hike two times now, and I am sure we will be making the trek again and again. The trails here are well maintained and have excellent markings. This is a great place to go if you're looking for something a little more challenging than a nature walk but less strenuous than Mount Monadnock. For our first hike, we parked at the State Reservation parking area and took the Pine Hill trail up to the Summit. This trail is short but steep and is basically one long stone staircase. It is half a mile, spans 600 feet of elevation, and took us about 30 minutes one way. Halfway through you come across a paved roadway, which takes you a bit out of nature. We took the Mountain House Trail on the way down, which is about a mile long and was less steep. For our second hike, we parked at the ski lodge and took the Balance Rock Trail to the Old Indian trail. The Balance Rock Trail is less than half a mile and very gentle; pretty much anyone who can walk can do it. It is worth the trip to see the strange rock formation, a giant boulder resting precariously on top of another giant boulder. Beyond the rocks, it branches off to the Old Indian Trail. Old Indian Trail is a little over a mile and is mostly a gentle climb, although near the summit it begins to get steep and rocky. You also cross over several ski areas and lifts on your way. It was here that the trail markings seemed to be less straightforward and resulted in us accidentally walking through a non-trail area at one point. Whoopsies. Because Old Indian Trail is steep near the end, and we saw an experienced hiker trip and fall on his way down the steep rock face (he was okay), we decided to take the paved roadway down and connect back up with the trail halfway down where it was more gentle. This turned out to be a good thing, as there is a nice lookout point on the paved roadway, where we took some nice pictures. They lose half a star because despite their website stating they were open for the day, the ski lodge was locked, and the parking is so limited at the reservation parking area, we couldn't even get close to it on a nice day. That is bad when you need to go to the bathroom before a hike. They lose another half a star because the paved roadway and construction at the Summit takes away from the natural beauty of the area. It is fine, but I do prefer feeling more in touch with nature, and so far I have not found a trail here that does not get disrupted by man made structures. read more

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Review for parking: If your license plate is MA then parking is $5. I had out of state plates which costs $10 so we cheaped out and drove down the road about a mile down Mountain Rd away from the reservation and ski area entrance for free roadside parking. Review for hiking: The area is very well kept and maintained. No complaints in terms of trash or fallen debri. Trail blazes were consistent. Make sure you take a map or a picture of it before going. I would rate this hike as moderate. Not too difficult, but can be very steep at times. A decent workout, but not what you might get at NH mountains. For a Sunday in mid-October the mountain was pretty busy. We were not hiking alone for much of the time. Many of the trails feature stone stairs for easy access. Can cause a little bit of bottle-necking in more narrow areas. read more

Wachusett Mountain State Reservation - parking costs posted - Parks Near Me - Princeton, Massachusetts

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Definitely the most 'civilized' hike we've ever done. Plenty of parking lots to choose from, and there was quite a crowd today. Not enough to be annoying or anything, but I'm usually expecting solitude when I go for mountain hikes. Lots of these people brought their dogs! I love that, though. Got the guts to ask one owner to pet his super fluffy pup. Everyone was friendly, as was the staff. It was a bit wet from the rain the day before, but otherwise, the trails were well kept and the roads were well paved. Taking a star off for the views at the top being only okay. read more

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Loved this place today! So beautiful and picturesque. Do NOT have high expectations because this is a smaller mountain. But the views and hiking you get are nice, especially in the vicinity of Worcester. Also, all the rangers are helpful and very nice. :) love it read more

Wachusett Mountain State Reservation - Parks Near Me - Princeton, Massachusetts

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tried to ski there on Tuesday, they took your money but never did any Grooming that day. It was a total safety hazard to let anybody go up on the lift chair and try to ski. They should've done the right thing and closed for the day if they were not gonna do any grooming the snow is way too deep and too dangerous. it's all about greed. One run and halfway down the snow gets so deep we had to abandon our skis and walk down. read more

Went hiking here the mountain is beautiful you can drive in for free and the visit the top if you dont want to do the trails. The trails are tough. Dog friendly trails and the have public water fountains and bathrooms. I usually do the 1.5 mile hike on the paved road from the bottom to the top and then run down. The gravity helps your speed as you come down. I like to go to this mountain because it is very convenient for me. It is only about 15 minute from my house. They have great classes and great atmosphere. read more

Wachusett Mountain State Reservation - Parks Near Me - Princeton, Massachusetts

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My husband and I loved these trails! They were well marked, clean, and the visitor center provided plenty of maps, parking, and clean bathrooms. We were pleasantly surprised by all of the hiking options. The summit has nice views and if you're not up for hiking, you can always drive, there's plenty of parking. We opted for one of the suggested hikes that combines 5 trails and we were not disappointed. We're used to hiking in places like Acadia National Park, but this park was a nice option since it's only an hour from Boston. read more

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You are able to drive or hike in hopes of catching a multi state view from the top of the mountain, unfortunately it was very foggy Sunday with virtually no visibility. The mountain provides skiing during the Winter with multiple lifts serving a number of different trails, all having the ability to make snow when necessary. Out of season one or two lifts are available for those folks wishing to ride to the top. A very nice local resource for hiking, biking, skiing with a great view whne the weather permits. read more

I just discovered these trails this fall, and am a little sad that I haven't discovered them before now. While, it's not a tough climb, it's a nice climb and depending on your energy level and time frame there are several options for hiking at Wachusett mountain. Now, let me warn you that this is not a wilderness (I'm all alone with nature) type of hike. Wachusett is a pretty popular spot, but it has reason to be. The trails are well marked and the map is easy to read. The top of the mountain offers plenty of seating, with picnic tables, a small pond, and lots of wall space, and the views are great. You can see Boston in the distance on a clear day. Trails range from 1/2 mile to the summit to about 2 miles to the summit and it seems that there are trails that lead off Wachusett to other peaks as well - haven't checked them out, so you're on your own there. read more

Great place for a hike in Central Mass. You'll be surprised at the number and variety of trails- from a cleared path with a slight incline, to rocky, cliff like paths, Wachusett has plenty to choose from. Park at the Ski Area at the bottom of the mountain for free, rather than the "State Reservation" ($2.00). read more

The five star review is for the hiking. We hiked here in early March, where there was snow. It is good for a short (2-3 hours) hike. The view from the top is pretty amazing. We could see Boston, the Eastern edge of Mass. and Mt. Greylock, the Western edge. So basically the whole state. Good place for a shorter hike if you don't have time to travel too far from Boston. read more

"Excellent" for workouts outside or even a light day trip activity - bring your loved ones - children and up! Beautiful views of Boston, Berkshires, and White Mountains (well the Monadnock. Accessible for all 4 seasons! The elevation and distances provide the perfect combination for an hour workout minus the dim fluorescent lights and the sweaty stew of the gym. Best of all its a little over an hour from Boston and most other points. There is a highway to the top if you feel like just coasting and rest rooms down at the base parking lot in case you drink to much coffee pre-hike!!! Cheers! read more

How is this not five stars?! I've run here dozens of times and biked here a lot more (closing in on 100 road summits) so I'm pretty familiar with the road and trails. I also make it a habit to explore as many local, state, and federal parks in Massachusetts so I'm pretty comfortable with its "competitors" too. Hands down, this is one of the best maintained parks I've ever been to and I love logging miles here. Kudos to the DCR! They have decent parking (if you're cycling, park down at the lodge for some extra space and vertical), a great water fountain (an under appreciated asset), and amazing views. The trail maps are accurate and the grounds (including the summit) are clean with plenty of trash cans. The auto road is beautifully paved and well maintained. My *only* complaint is the terrible placement of the new (2014) gate across the road. I suspect it was located strategically for cars but coming down on a bike its around a blind corner and has caused some accidents and broken ribs for other cyclists. Adding some rumble strips in the pavement seems like a reasonable fix. Cyclists - please just remember there are pedestrians walking with kids and dogs. Be considerate when describing and save the 50+ mph for the lower section of last the park parking on the way down to the lodge (on Mountain Rd / Mile Hill Rd). read more

A good little hike. Plenty of parking at the bottom. Multiple trails, some easier than others. You have the ability to drive to the top if you would like. Top has nice views, a decent enough area to a picnic, etc. read more

Spent a beautiful Saturday afternoon here. We parked at the ski lodge (ample parking and signs) and took the Balance Rock Trail to the Old Indian Trail. The Balance Rock Trail is less than half a mile and very gentle; pretty much anyone who can walk can do it. Old Indian Trail is a little over a mile and is mostly a gentle climb, although near the summit it begins to get steep and rocky. You also cross over several ski areas and lifts on your way. It was here that the trail markings seemed to be less straightforward and resulted in us accidentally walking through a non-trail area at one point. Luckily, we went back to a ski trail and saw people up ahead, so ran to where they were and got back on track! We brought lunch and ate at the top, although it was very windy and we only found one picnic bench. Just as an FYI: the ski lodge was locked which is a problem when you need to go to the bathroom before a hike, although there was a porter potty. I would definitely go back, but just be prepared for a bit of a tough climb toward the summit of Old Indian Trail. read more

I hike here weekly due to convenience. A lot of well maintained trails. But the auto road and summit tower detract from the hiking experience. Out of the ski area, Balance Rock Trail to Old Indian is a good hike. Around the backside, I like Echo Lake to High Meadow to Jack Frost to Mountain House. Good place for first time hikers and children! read more

This review is of the hiking at Wachusett Mountain State Reservation. We took the Balance Rock and Old Indian Trail to the summit and back. The trails are nice and well-marked, though the crossing over ski paths and roads keeps you from feeling you're truly out in nature. Similarly, the top has a ski lift, towers, and construction, and the views are only so-so. On the pro side, the picnic tables - while not facing the views - were very convenient. Overall, go elsewhere (Mt. Monadnock) for a more intense hike and better views, but Wachusett made for a totally pleasant half day in the woods. read more