Trails: There are about 17 miles of hiking trails over and around the 2,000-foot peak, including about 4 miles of the Midstate Trail.
Access fee:Parking fee Nearest town: Princeton, MA Trail map: Available at the park and on the website Web site:Wachusett Mountain State Reservation Points of interest: Views of Mount Monadnock, the Berkshires, and Boston. Old-growth forest is as much as 350 years old Other activities:Alpine skiing Lodging: Worcester has several choices of accommodation Camping: Not available in the park Weather forecast:Princeton Tourism info:Johnny Appleseed Trail | Central Massachusetts Tourist Council Getting to the trail: Wachusett Mountain State Reservation is south of Westminster on Route 140 then south on Mile Hill Road. Map of local region:Princeton Submitted comments: maps can be found at the main park entrance (which can be accessed from Mountain Rd). Many (but not all) of the trailheads also have info stands with maps in them.
All of the trails within the park are well marked and pretty simple to complete. The biggest hazards that I have seen have been slippery rocks (much of the trails get little light because of the trees), and poison ivy (which so far I have managed to avoid).
Most trails that go directly to summit range between 1 and 1.5 miles. On a clear day Boston (about 50 miles away) can be seen from the summit. Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire, and the Berkshires in western Mass can also be seen from the summit. Balance Rock (which looks like it sounds), is at the intersection of Balance Rock Trail and Old Indian Trail.
Trail surface: Lots of rock and roots, some mud
Difficulty rating: some intermediate sections, lots of easy. Submitted by: Chris from: Holden, Ma Date submitted: July 22, 2008
Trail Name: Wachusett Mountain State Reservation I have hiked there: Once I last hiked there in: August, 2004 Trails that I hiked: Pine Hill Trail, Old Indian Trail Favorite trails: Best time to go: Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4 stars What I liked: The trails were very well marked and easy to navigate. A lot of work was put into setting up these trails. What I disliked: nothing Additional comments: The Pine Hill Trail is a relatively quick hike from the visitors center. It is nicely marked. It is rocky and steep at several points. I had a 5 and a 7 year old with me and we were able to hike the summit with several stops. We came down the Old Indian Trail until it met the summit road. We then walked down the summit road back to the car. The Old Indial Trail was not as wide as the Pine Hill, but was easy to navigate with children. Submitted by: MS from: Mass Date submitted: Aug 31, 2004
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Trail Name: Wachusett Mountain State Reservation I have hiked there: Few I last hiked there in: July, 2003 Trails that I hiked: Pine Hill Trail, Bicentennial Trail, Loop Trail, and Mountain House Trail Favorite trails: Pine Hill Trail (pretty steep) Best time to go: Autumn Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 3.5 stars What I liked: This is a very quick hike - maybe an hour to an hour and a half, depending on the hiker. Very nice view from the top. Trails are pretty well marked, on the whole. What I disliked: Nothing, really - this is a pretty straightforward hike. Comments: We found free parking at the Visitor's Center on the eastern side of the mountain. Submitted by: KWT from: Berlin, MA Date submitted: July 16, 2003
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