If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “What are some great hiking trails near me?”, then you’ve come to the right place. Massachusetts is covered with gorgeous hiking trails, but we’ve rounded up the absolute best hikes in Massachusetts. From serene to spooky, we’ve picked a handful of trails that will absolutely wow you. Whether you’re looking for an easy afternoon activity or a more challenging hike, these five spots are unmissable hiking destinations.
- Stony Ledge Route, Mount Greylock
Flickr/Jack Amick Stoney Ledge Road, Stoney Ledge Rd, Williamstown, MA 01267, USA
Tripadvisor/ladyme1 Mount Greylock is the tallest mountain in Massachusetts and filled with gorgeous trails, but the Stony Ledge Route is something special. You’ll hike 3.7 miles round trip up the mountain, but the path isn’t too steep. At the end, you’ll be deposited on Stony Ledge for an absolutely jaw-dropping view. We think this may be the most beautiful trail in Massachusetts, so you should definitely check it out. More info and directions here. It truly is one of the most scenic hikes in Massachusetts.
- Sages Ravine, Sheffield
Flickr/Charles Wohlers Sages Ravine, South Egremont, MA 01258, USA
Flickr/Edward Faulkner This hike in Sheffield is one of the most surreally beautiful hikes in the state. This trail will take you into Sages Ravine, a spectacular small canyon filled with babbling brooks and massive stones. The hike to the ravine is only about 20 to 30 minutes, but the beauty of the landscape will make you feel worlds away from the everyday. More info about Sages Ravine and directions here.
- Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Boardwalk Trail
Flickr/Jesse Marks Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Refuge Rd, Newbury, MA 01951, USA
Flickr/US Fish & Wildlife This is a hike that is beautiful in all four seasons. Located on the North Shore, the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge offers stunning views of the water and inland landscapes such as sandy beaches, cranberry bogs, maritime forests and freshwater marsh. The trail is well-maintained and features a smooth wooden boardwalk. It’s a loop trail and only about a mile long. This makes it one of the most kid-friendly hikes around Massachusetts. More info about Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and directions here.
- Natural Bridge State Park, North Adams
Flickr/Kim Carpenter Natural Bridge State Park, McAuley Rd, North Adams, MA 01247, USA
Flickr/Michael Femis Want to explore a cave but don’t want to dive deep underground? You can actually hike to an aboveground cave at Natural Bridge State Park in North Adams. This trail will lead you over a footbridge into a beautiful state park that contains the only natural white marble arch in North America. From there, you’ll explore Hudson Cave, a lovely aboveground labyrinth of shining marble and cascading waterfalls. It’s one of the best hikes in Massachusetts. More info about Natural Bridge State Park and directions here.
- Witches Wood Trail, Beverly
Facebook/Greenbelt - Essex County’s Land Trust Here’s one for the spook-seekers out there. While everyone agrees walking in the woods can sometimes make you jumpy, this haunted hike will take that feeling to a whole new level. Witches Woods in Beverly are so called due to some seriously spooky local legends. Historians say that people fleeing from the Salem witch trials of the 1690s took shelter in these woods and that the forest is still filled with haunted happenings today. The terrain here ranges from smooth to rocky, so it’s the perfect spot for all ages and ability levels. More info about Witches Wood Trail and directions here. Beverly Commons Drive, Beverly Commons Dr, Beverly, MA 01915, USA
If you want to see more of the best hikes in Massachusetts, check out these 10 hikes that you should add to your outdoor bucket list immediately. All are amazing hikes, but as an added bonus, some are also relatively easy hikes in Massachusetts. Check them out today!
Flickr/Jack Amick
Stoney Ledge Road, Stoney Ledge Rd, Williamstown, MA 01267, USA
Tripadvisor/ladyme1
Mount Greylock is the tallest mountain in Massachusetts and filled with gorgeous trails, but the Stony Ledge Route is something special. You’ll hike 3.7 miles round trip up the mountain, but the path isn’t too steep. At the end, you’ll be deposited on Stony Ledge for an absolutely jaw-dropping view. We think this may be the most beautiful trail in Massachusetts, so you should definitely check it out. More info and directions here. It truly is one of the most scenic hikes in Massachusetts.
Flickr/Charles Wohlers
Sages Ravine, South Egremont, MA 01258, USA
Flickr/Edward Faulkner
This hike in Sheffield is one of the most surreally beautiful hikes in the state. This trail will take you into Sages Ravine, a spectacular small canyon filled with babbling brooks and massive stones. The hike to the ravine is only about 20 to 30 minutes, but the beauty of the landscape will make you feel worlds away from the everyday. More info about Sages Ravine and directions here.
Flickr/Jesse Marks
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Refuge Rd, Newbury, MA 01951, USA
Flickr/US Fish & Wildlife
This is a hike that is beautiful in all four seasons. Located on the North Shore, the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge offers stunning views of the water and inland landscapes such as sandy beaches, cranberry bogs, maritime forests and freshwater marsh. The trail is well-maintained and features a smooth wooden boardwalk. It’s a loop trail and only about a mile long. This makes it one of the most kid-friendly hikes around Massachusetts. More info about Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and directions here.
Flickr/Kim Carpenter
Natural Bridge State Park, McAuley Rd, North Adams, MA 01247, USA
Flickr/Michael Femis
Want to explore a cave but don’t want to dive deep underground? You can actually hike to an aboveground cave at Natural Bridge State Park in North Adams. This trail will lead you over a footbridge into a beautiful state park that contains the only natural white marble arch in North America. From there, you’ll explore Hudson Cave, a lovely aboveground labyrinth of shining marble and cascading waterfalls. It’s one of the best hikes in Massachusetts. More info about Natural Bridge State Park and directions here.
Facebook/Greenbelt - Essex County’s Land Trust
Here’s one for the spook-seekers out there. While everyone agrees walking in the woods can sometimes make you jumpy, this haunted hike will take that feeling to a whole new level. Witches Woods in Beverly are so called due to some seriously spooky local legends. Historians say that people fleeing from the Salem witch trials of the 1690s took shelter in these woods and that the forest is still filled with haunted happenings today. The terrain here ranges from smooth to rocky, so it’s the perfect spot for all ages and ability levels. More info about Witches Wood Trail and directions here.
Beverly Commons Drive, Beverly Commons Dr, Beverly, MA 01915, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
best hikes in Massachusetts February 27, 2022 Jessica Bohl What are some scenic hikes in Massachusetts? Hiking is an amazing way to get outdoors and reconnect with nature. It is great if you’re seeking peace and solitude. But it’s also a wonderful way to spend time with friends or family. Fortunately there are some really wonderful hikes in Massachusetts. And many of them have gorgeous views and scenery. Monument Mountain in Great Barrington is a great hike and offers some breathtaking views of Southern Berkshire County. Brooks Woodland Preserve has more than 13 miles of trails in Petersham. If you love ferns, 19th century farmsteads, or even stone walls, you will love this trail. For a hike through lovely meadows and gentle hills, head over to Acorn Trail at Great Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle. For more scenic hikes, check out this great article about 13 out of this world hiking trails in Massachusetts. Are there any kid-friendly hikes around Massachusetts? While there are some challenging hikes in Massachusetts, there are also many, many hikes that are kid-friendly. Fort Hill Trail in Eastham is great for the little ones. The terrain is very flat and takes only about an hour. It’s the perfect outing for the kids. Another great options is Wachusett Mountain West Side Trail, which is just a 2.7 miles loop trail though quiet woodlands. It’s the perfect family-friendly trail year round. For other kid-friendly trails, check out this great article about 10 easy hikes.
The OIYS Visitor Center
best hikes in Massachusetts
February 27, 2022
Jessica Bohl
What are some scenic hikes in Massachusetts? Hiking is an amazing way to get outdoors and reconnect with nature. It is great if you’re seeking peace and solitude. But it’s also a wonderful way to spend time with friends or family. Fortunately there are some really wonderful hikes in Massachusetts. And many of them have gorgeous views and scenery. Monument Mountain in Great Barrington is a great hike and offers some breathtaking views of Southern Berkshire County. Brooks Woodland Preserve has more than 13 miles of trails in Petersham. If you love ferns, 19th century farmsteads, or even stone walls, you will love this trail. For a hike through lovely meadows and gentle hills, head over to Acorn Trail at Great Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle. For more scenic hikes, check out this great article about 13 out of this world hiking trails in Massachusetts. Are there any kid-friendly hikes around Massachusetts? While there are some challenging hikes in Massachusetts, there are also many, many hikes that are kid-friendly. Fort Hill Trail in Eastham is great for the little ones. The terrain is very flat and takes only about an hour. It’s the perfect outing for the kids. Another great options is Wachusett Mountain West Side Trail, which is just a 2.7 miles loop trail though quiet woodlands. It’s the perfect family-friendly trail year round. For other kid-friendly trails, check out this great article about 10 easy hikes.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hiking is an amazing way to get outdoors and reconnect with nature. It is great if you’re seeking peace and solitude. But it’s also a wonderful way to spend time with friends or family. Fortunately there are some really wonderful hikes in Massachusetts. And many of them have gorgeous views and scenery. Monument Mountain in Great Barrington is a great hike and offers some breathtaking views of Southern Berkshire County. Brooks Woodland Preserve has more than 13 miles of trails in Petersham. If you love ferns, 19th century farmsteads, or even stone walls, you will love this trail. For a hike through lovely meadows and gentle hills, head over to Acorn Trail at Great Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle. For more scenic hikes, check out this great article about 13 out of this world hiking trails in Massachusetts.
Are there any kid-friendly hikes around Massachusetts?
While there are some challenging hikes in Massachusetts, there are also many, many hikes that are kid-friendly. Fort Hill Trail in Eastham is great for the little ones. The terrain is very flat and takes only about an hour. It’s the perfect outing for the kids. Another great options is Wachusett Mountain West Side Trail, which is just a 2.7 miles loop trail though quiet woodlands. It’s the perfect family-friendly trail year round. For other kid-friendly trails, check out this great article about 10 easy hikes.
