Wachusett Mountain State

08/27/06

The summit of the region's highest peak beckons nature buffs from the big city.

by Contributor

Overview
The 2,006-foot ridge-top summit of Wachusett Mountain, highest peak in all of central and eastern Massachusetts, is only 50 miles from Boston. So expect some company on the trails, especially on weekends. But also expect sweeping views extending from Mount Greylock to Boston's skyscrapers and into New Hampshire and Vermont that more than make up for the crowds.

The Experience
Seventeen miles of trails are open for exploring, with various summit routes. The mountain towers over the rolling countryside and provides excellent views up to 120 miles in all directions. Crisp autumn days in September and October are prime for both hiking and hawk-watching--the summit and two lookouts below it are the best places to be when hundreds of red-tailed, broad-winged, red-shouldered and sharp-shinned hawks glide by. Ospreys also appear in numbers and occasionally, you'll see an eagle.