Five easy hikes in Central Massachusetts to do before summer's end
The heart of the Bay State is known for its rural vibe — large tracts of hilly conservation land providing an escape from the suburban sprawl.
Spring and summer tend to be when these areas are at their best, and therefore the perfect time to head out for a hike with family, friends or maybe just your pet.
Being in Central Massachusetts means in terms of distance, many hiking areas are a feasible option for a daytrip whether you're coming from the east, west, north or south of New England. As summer goes on, here are some of the top hiking areas in Central Massachusetts to check out before the fall.
Purgatory State Park
198 Purgatory Road, Sutton
Home to the famous Purgatory Chasm, which was formed by glacial meltwater at the end of the last Ice Age 14,000 years ago. Now, you can come for a picnic and explore the variety of caves and rock formations. Popular with dog owners.
Douglas State Forest
107 Wallum Lake Road, Douglas
While a popular summer destination, at 5,907 acres, there should be room for everybody to enjoy hiking, horseback riding and more on the swampy woodland trails. These in turn connect to the Midstate Trail, a long-distance hiking trail that extends through Central Massachusetts to Mount Watatic in the north. Wallum Lake offers swimming, boating and fishing.
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Grand Trunk Trail
U.S. Route 20, near West Old Sturbridge Road, Brimfield, and Westville Dam at Marjorie Lane, Southbridge
A literal rail trail, the Grand Trunk is part of the Trolley Line, a trail built on the former site of an old railroad system also known as Titanic Railroad after its founder, who went down in the Titanic.
The Grand Trunk Trail itself runs almost 7 miles and connects to the Westville Recreation Area in Sturbridge, where visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing and biking.
Lookout Rock
Quaker Street, Northbridge
A short hike will take you to Lookout Rock, which provides a great view across from Goat Hill, down from a great kayak/canoe access point at Plummers Landing (the old Blackstone Canal stopover) and also nearby River Bend Farm and its old arch bridge, canal and farmlands (old Voss Farm).
The Cascades
135 Olean St., Worcester
To get a bit of nature time right in the city, head to the Cascades Trail system, a 156-acre green space with a 1.4-mile trail loop. A variety of side trails let you extend the hike, taking visitors up to Cooks Pond and the trail's namesake waterfalls.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: 5 easy, fun hikes in Central MA you have to do this summer
