Hike Mount Wachusett; The Best Loop for a Moderate Day Hike

Hike to Massachusetts’ tallest mountain east of the Connecticut River! At 2006 feet, the summit of Mount Wachusett is the highest point in Massachusetts east of the Connecticut River.

It offers wide-open views of Mount Monadnock and Vermont to the north, Mount Greylock to the west, and Boston to the east. A steady climb up well-marked trails and forested switchbacks leads to summit views, followed by a short scramble section on the way down.

If you’re looking for a hike that feels like a real mountain adventure, conveniently located in central MA, then this loop at Mount Wachusett delivers.

While this is a dog-friendly (and kid-friendly) loop, there are a couple of steep spots on the way down where you'll want to use your hands to brace yourself. Adventurous kids and dogs apply! ✅

Mount Wachusett Loop Overview

🗺️LOCATION: WESTMINSTER, MA  

🥾LENGTH: 4.07 miles (loop) 

⏱️TIME & MONEY: 2 hours 30 minutes; free 

📈ELEVATION GAIN: 1089 feet 

💪🏼DIFFICULTY: Moderate to strenuous 

🌲CONDITIONS: Year-round; pine paths, a few rocky scrambles 

🌟HIGHLIGHTS: Mountain summit, fun & challenging hike. Well-marked loop, forested trails with a true mountain feel.

🔗 AllTrails Link

🚘Find the trailhead: From the Princeton Public Library, turn left onto Town Hall Drive, and after 200 feet, turn left onto Mountain Road. After 3.9 miles, Mountain Road becomes Mile Hill Road. After 0.5 miles on Mile Hill Road, turn sharp left onto Bolton Road. Parking is all along the right side of Bolton Road after a third of a mile.  

Or, use these GPS coordinates to get you there: 42.50785, -71.89229

Mount Wachusett Hike Details

The 3000-acre Wachusett Mountain State Reservation is 20 miles north of Worcester and under 60 miles west of Boston.

Even though the hike has over 1000 feet of elevation gain, it’s mostly a steady climb with no big jumps for the dogs. But it’s worth noting that on the way down, there are a few scramble sections where we let go of the leashes to safely navigate with our hands and take our time.  

Trail Details...

After just a quarter of a mile from the start, arrive at Bolton Pond, which provides water and splash time for the dogs before the incline begins. 💦

After Balance Rock, bear right to pick up the yellow-blazed Old Indian Trail for the next 1.25 miles to the top. The trail crosses two ski runs, providing scenic views to the east on the way up. 

While there may be solitary time with your dog in the woods early on in this hike, be prepared to share the views later; especially during the peak season from end of May to October, when road access brings visitors to just below the summit. 

After taking in the views, head back down via the red-blazed Harrington/Mid-State Trail—look for the sign on the southwest side of the summit. This initial descent is fairly steep. 

At around 2.16 miles, the red-blazed Harrington Trail meets Semuhenna Trail. From here, turn right onto the light-blue-blazed Semuhenna Trail and follow it until reaching the yellow-blazed Old Indian Trail. Then, turn left and continue on Old Indian Trail to complete this true mountain adventure for you and your pup! 

🧭 TURN-BY-TURN DIRECTIONS 🧭

1. Find the trailhead kiosk on the south side of Bolton Road. Start the hike here on the blue-blazed Bolton Pond Trail.  

2. At 0.14 miles, continue straight. 

3. At 0.3 miles, arrive at Bolton Pond, where the dogs can swim. 

4. At 0.55 miles, turn right on the yellow-blazed Old Indian Trail and arrive at Balance Rock. 

5. At 0.8 miles, bear left on yellow, beginning the loop clockwise following Old Indian Trail. 

6. At 0.9 miles, walk directly across the first of three consecutive ski fields, continuing to follow the yellow blazes. 

7. At 1.07 miles, enter back into the woods. Walk across a wooden bridge, following the yellow trail. 

8. At 1.18 miles, go left onto Up Summit Road. Continue to the Old Indian Trail sign, then turn right onto yellow to re-enter the woods. 

9. At 1.74 miles, bear left to stay on the yellow-blazed trail.  

10. At 1.8 miles, bear left to stay on yellow, passing a ski lift on the left. 

11. At 1.85 miles, arrive at the summit of Mount Wachusett. After taking in the view, find the red-blazed Harrington Trail on the southwest side of the summit to begin the descent. 

12. At 1.95 miles, cross Up Summit Road and follow the red-blazed Harrington Trail. 

13. At 2.05 miles, cross Up Summit Road to continue on Harrington Trail. 

14. At 2.17 miles, at the bottom of the steep section, turn right to stay on the red-blazed Harrington Trail. Look for the yellow Midstate Trail triangle on a tree. 

15. At 2.21 miles, turn right onto the light-blue-blazed Semuhenna Trail, following the sign. 

16. At 2.75 miles, cross Up Summit Road and continue on the blue-blazed Semuhenna Trail. 

17. At 2.98 miles, cross Up Summit Road again and follow the blue-blazed Semuhenna Trail back into the woods. 

18. At 3.29 miles, reach the loop’s end. Turn left at the Old Indian Trail sign to finish the hike.