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10 Great Places to Hike and Explore in MA While Social Distancing

By Heather Cameron | April 2, 2020
Last Updated: February 2, 2021

Staying indoors and avoiding crowds will keep you safe, but social distancing may be making you feel cooped up. If you need to stretch your legs and clear your head, nature can be the best remedy.

ThisWeekinWorcester.com has put together a list of local spots to take in some beautiful and tranquil views.

Here is a list of 10 trails in Central and Western Massachusetts to keep you moving and active — while staying six feet away from other people:

 

Wachusett Mountain State Reservation

345 Mountain Road, Princeton

Snowboarding and skiing on the mountain is closed, but you can gear up for a hike to explore all of Wachusett’s 3,000 acres with 17 miles of trails.

Open: 9AM to Sunset 

 

Cascading Waters

135 Olean St, Worcester 

  • Hit pause on all your streaming sites to visit an actual stream! Escape into nature in the city’s mile long loop trail that features a beautiful brook. 

Open: Sunrise to Sunset 

 

Coal Mine Brook

559 Plantation Street, Worcester

  • Take a breath of fresh air in this 11 acre conservation land taken care of by the Greater Worcester Landtrust.

Open: Sunrise to Sunset

 

Purgatory Chasm State Reservation

198 Purgatory Road, Sutton 

  • Get away from the purgatory that may feel like your home and have some fun climbing two miles of rock formations. 

Open 6:30 AM to 7 PM 

 

Mass Central Rail Trail

155-199 Thomas Street, West Boylston

  • Stroll through a segment of Massachusetts’s rail trail at the West Boylston location. This trail is two miles long, but prepare to walk four miles to get back! 

Open: 6 AM to 9  PM 

 

Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation

300 Sugarloaf Street, South Deerfield

  • Treat yourself to an incredible view of the Connecticut River Valley at the summit of Mount Sugarloaf. 

Open: 9 AM to 6 PM

 

Ashuwillticook Rail Trail

Lanesborough

  • The Southern section of this trail has been closed, but you can continue walking the northern section of the rail trail, from Church Street in Cheshire to Lime Street in Adams as it will remain open to the public.

Open: 6 AM to 9 PM

 

Bash Bish Falls State Park

Falls Rd, Taconic Mountains

  • Drop your worries for a few hours to visit Bash Bish Falls, which has the highest single-drop waterfall in Massachusetts. 

Open: 7 AM to 5 PM 

 

Mount Greylock

30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough

  • Push yourself and embrace the challenge to climb Mount Greylock — the highest point in the state.

Open: 9 AM to 4 PM

 

Pittsfield State Forest

1041 Cascade Street, Pittsfield

  • Burn out some energy while enjoying 30 miles of trails for walking, mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding. All trails can be enjoyed with even wheelchair accessible paths.

Open: 6:30 AM to 6 PM

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