Hiking Wachusett Mountain

Family Friendly Hiking in Central Massachusetts

Hiking Wachusett Mountain - A Fun, Family Friendly Activity

Looking for an easy mountain hike near Boston? Wachusett Mountain is one of the best beginner-friendly hikes in Massachusetts, with scenic summit views, well-marked trails, and plenty of options for families and casual hikers.

Just about an hour from Boston, Wachusett Mountain makes a great outdoor day trip in every season. We recently hiked to the summit and loved the mix of moderate rocky terrain, rewarding views, and easy-to-follow trails that make this hike approachable for a wide range of ages and experience levels.

Where to Park

The day we visited, the lot at the State Reservation was full, so we headed back down the the ski area lot and found plenty of parking.  The trail we took is located right off of the main parking lot near row 6, and into the woods.  *Note, you can also drive to the top and park at the observation deck - but hiking is the best part of the adventure.

Popular Wachusett Mountain Hiking Trails

Balance Rock Trail

Moderate, rocky, scenic, family-friendly.  Easy access from the ski resort parking lot. 

Pine Hill Trail

Shorter and steeper route to summit.

Mountain House Trail

Popular direct route with great summit access.

Which Trail We Took

We did the Balance Rock Trail.  This trail is called balance rock for good reason - it's loaded with rocks!  This makes for a much more interesting hike, so I am glad that we stumbled upon this one.

What the Trail Is Like

After a short meander up a very gentle slope, you'll encounter what I'd guess is Balance Rock.  From here, you take a left and follow the trail up the mountain.

As you can see, the trail starts off pretty wide and is easy to follow.   There were quite a few hikers out the day we visited so it was especially easy to figure out where to go.

Trail Markers and Maps

We appreciated the helpful trail markers along the way, and also opted to download the trail map to our phone, just in case.   Everything is pretty clearly marked as a trail.

About 15 minutes in the slope starts to increase a bit.  The shade of the trees made for a nice cool hike on a warm late summer day.  It's always a good idea to bring a long sleeved shirt that you can put on if it gets chilly, and wrap around your waist as you get warmer with exertion.

Lots of cool natural formations to observe along the way.  Foresting is a great way to decompress and to rid yourself of the anxiety that seems so prevalent these days.

The trail does get more rocky and more uphill as you go along.  But nothing particularly dangerous.  Just be mindful of where you stepping and all should work out splendidly.

Eventually, the first part of the trail opens up to one of the ski slopes, offering you a nice view from mid-mountain of the skyline below.  

Keep going across the slope, and the woods trail picks up again.  You can sort of imagine this slope covered in snow with skiers and snowboarders cruising by if you try. 

As you get closer to the top, the trail obviously steepens, but the footing is solid and it was a great workout without being too difficult. 

This future rock climber was testing his wall scaling skills as we strode past.  He made it up with no help at all - which was pretty impressive in my book.

Views from the Summit

When you reach the top, you'll be rewarded with wonderful views of Massachusetts.  To the east, you can actually see the Boston skyline. 

Summit View Map

In fact, from each vantage point, there is a helpful map that shows exactly what you can see in the distance.  360 degree views offer north, south east and west vantage points.

The summit area features a viewing deck with some benches.   It's nice place to sit and take in the scenery.  There are also lots of little rock benches and alcoves for you to set up a small picnic or a snack as you determine how you are going to get back down.

photo credit: Flickr Skiptomylou

Taking the SkyRide Up or Down

Additional ways that you can reach the summit, besides hiking, are to drive up to the adjacent parking lot to the viewing area, or to take the round trip sky ride.  These are both great options for those who'd like to enjoy the views but may be unable to manage hiking.

We opted to take the sky ride down (one-way option), so we could enjoy the views after a good day's climb.  If you are up for it, you can certainly elect hike down the same way you came as well.  

Food & Restrooms at the Base

We wanted time to enjoy some refreshments at the base, which currently has an outdoor grill, and beer on tap.  Picnic tables and Adirondack chairs are available where you can sit and relax to music.

 

Weekend Entertainment & Info

O’Brien’s Deck Bar and Grill – Our outdoor restaurant is open serving a variety of menu options including Hamburgers, Pulled Pork, Beer and so much more!  Advance online ordering available here. 

Scenic Skyrides to the Summit - If you’re not into hiking, enjoy beautiful 360-degree views on our Scenic SkyRide.  Round trip tickets are available at the lift.  

Hours: Open 11am to 5pm (Last sky ride chair up at 4:45pm)

Cruisin' Cars:
Show off your best cars!
11am-4pm

This hiking trip at Wachusett was a really nice afternoon.  We were able to hike the trail to the top in a little over an hour at a moderate pace.  You can stay at the top as long as you'd like, and then enjoy a snack (and use the clean restrooms) at the base.

Parking

We hope that this list of outdoor things to do near Boston has been helpful to you.  There is certainly so much more to explore - check out our Boston Events Calendar here, or if you are looking for a deal, check out our popular article about free things to do in Boston!  

Some other unique spots to check out include Halibut Point State Park in Rockport,  Purgatory Chasm State Park in Sutton, and Worlds End in Hingham. 

photo credit: BostonCentral (Purgatory Chasm)

During the fall, apple picking is a popular activity for all ages.  Here are some of our favorite places to go apple picking in Massachusetts.

Winter Hiking Tips

You can hike the trails of Wachusett during the winter, but be prepared.  Depending on weather conditions, the trail can become icy and harder to navigate.  You also don't have the option of taking the skyride lift down during the winter, as that is reserved for skiers.

photo credit: Ami Sao

FAQs About Hiking Wachusett Mountain

How long does it take to hike Wachusett Mountain?

Most hikers can reach the summit in 1 to 2 hours depending on trail choice and pace.

Is Wachusett Mountain good for beginners?

Yes. Several trails are beginner-friendly, though some sections are rocky.

Can you drive to the top of Wachusett Mountain?

Yes, seasonal summit road access is available.

Is Wachusett Mountain good for kids?

Yes, especially older kids who enjoy climbing and rocky trails.

More Ideas for Outdoor Family Fun

If you are looking for outdoor fun during the winter - visit our guide to Skiing Near Boston for tips on the best places to ski in New England including several that are just a short drive from Boston.

Finally, our site's specialty is helping people find fun things to do in Boston with kids - so we've got all sorts of resources on hand to help you do just that. 

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Stacey Sao has been the Managing Director of the family-friendly events and activities website, BostonCentral for over 25 years.  She continues to enjoy discovering and exploring new places to visit in the Greater Boston area.