Massachusetts Trail Recommendations for Aging Hikers

Marcy on the Pocumtuck Ridge Trail.

     Many years ago, while representing DCR at a Big E booth, an older couple asked me where they could hike. They weren't looking for accessible trails. Having been avid hikers for a long time, they wanted to know what trails offered a better match for their changing abilities. 

     At the time, I was a bit stumped. Now, in my mid-60s, I get it. And since I've continued to hike over the years, I realize I have developed a list of places and strategies I've chosen that have worked well for me as my needs and abilities change. There are more active and aging hikers who want to keep in shape and enjoy a favorite form of recreation than ever before. We may be ambulatory and in reasonable condition but need to approach hiking differently to continue to benefit from all that hiking offers. 

An aging hiker at Wendell State Forest.

     Changes in ability happen gradually if we are lucky. Most notably, its stamina - shifting from 5-8 mile hikes to 3-5 miles to 1-3 miles. Then its structure - how well are the feet, knees and hips tolerating hard surfaces, climbs and descents? How sore am I during or after the hike? What trail surfaces and terrain choices help me get what I want from hiking - cardio exercise, connection with nature, fresh air, new vistas - without causing pain or injury? I have found that pond loops tend to offer moderate terrain and softer trail surfaces, and that there are still attainable vista views out there, along with a wide variety of trail options.

     Each person has to develop their own approach, based on self-assessment. Some may want to join a group. Others may prefer to hike solo. At some point, hiking in pairs or small groups for additional safety and support is a likely good choice. Longer hikes can be done over multiple outings instead of one long day hike. Rugged terrain may be too stressful to the body - so it's important to know in advance what trails offer moderate terrain, perhaps with a balanced amount of a more tolerable rugged trail experience that provides a desired level of challenge while strengthening your ankles, legs, and heart.

     The internet is awash with information for aging hikers related to gear, techniques, and self-care. It's not so easy to find a curated list of local or regional hikes. You might learn what you need from a hiking app such as AllTrails or Strava, or a local hiking club. Based on personal experience, here are some recommendations for Massachusetts - a beginning list that will continue to grow. Feel free to offer more suggestions!

Eastern Massachusetts

Walden Pond State Reservation, Concord

Esker Trail/Emerson Cliffs/Heywood Path/Pond Loop - 1-3 miles - Many people hike the well-worn 1.7-mile pond loop which has some steep steps and rocky spots. Explore further on the south side where fewer people travel and pass a secluded swamp frequented by a passing train. Optional side trip to Emerson Cliff offers a short steeper challenge.

Southeastern Massachusetts

Group hikes offered by the DCR Southeastern Mass Adult Walking Club are often 3-4 miles using natural trails and sometimes paved roads in a variety of state parks including Wompatuck State Park, Freetown-Fall River State Forest, Nasketucket Bay State Reservation, and Nickerson State Park.

A wide, leaf-covered trail at Demarest Lloyd with views
of the water through trees.

Borderland State Park, Sharon:

Pond Walk Loop: 2.9 miles of unpaved carriage trail among a few ponds, with trails branching off onto steeper terrain offering optional challenge.

Demarest Lloyd State Park, Dartmouth:

Georges Pond Loop Trail/Un-named trail loop - 1/2 to 2 miles - From the far parking area in this southeast coastal park, natural trails make for an interesting scenic exploration. The Georges Pond Loop Trail is 1/2 mile round trip into dune shrub habitat and along the pond. From the far end of the lot, when the water is low, another excursion is possible exploring oak woodlands along the salt marsh with open views on a natural maintained trail. There is no park map, and these trails are not listed in AllTrails, so this explore is for adventurers who don't need a map to stay found.

Namskaket Path at Nickerson State Park.

Nickerson State Park, Brewster:

Namskaket Sea Path - 1 mile mostly hard sand footpath among dunes on the bay side of Cape Cod.

Cliff Pond Loop - 3.2 mile trail around a kettle pond's edge with some moderate climbs among pitch pine, dry oak woodlands, while passing sandy beaches.

Northeastern Massachusetts

Great Brook Farm State Park, Carlisle:

Pine Point Loop - 2 miles of moderate terrain doubles as a cross-country ski trail when conditions permit in winter.

Stone Row Trail - 2.4 miles of moderate and varied terrain passes interesting stone formations

Acorn Trail - 3 miles of relatively easy terrain offers secluded experience and options to shorten the experience if needed.

An older hiker with cane crossing a stone bridge
at Maudslay State Park.

Maudslay State Park, Newburyport:

Merrimack River Trail - 2 miles or more if you choose, exploring the roads and trails of a former estate along the Merrimack River on moderate terrain amidst woods and fields.

North Central Massachusetts

Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, Princeton:

Pine Hill Trail to Summit - 1.4 mile round trip, advertised by DCR as a "moderately strenuous" climb (600 foot elevational gain) to the summit from the park visitor center. This forested hike requires hiking up and down stone stepways. 

Mt. Watatic, Ashburnham:

Summit Hike - 2-mile round trip forested climb (613 foot elevational gain) to a view that includes Boston.

A hiker enjoys the fall foliage view from an 
overlook at Wendell State Forest.

Wendell State Forest, Wendell:

Ruggles Pond Loop - 2-mile loop around a mostly forested shallow pond with a large beaver lodge, some rocky, rooty, and wet sections with bog bridges.

Wickett Pond Loop - 2-mile loop around a shallow pond with active beavers in mostly forested area and a shrub land created by a tornado many years ago.

Hike to Overlooks - 2 miles with options to extend distance and a cliffside portion that reaches two overlooks. Mt. Greylock is visible from the second one. Footpaths, dirt roads, with some rocks and roots.

Connecticut River Valley

An orange blaze on a tree marks the Robert Frost Trail.

Three long distance trails represent opportunities to hike selected sections, either as unique hikes or to complete the whole trail.

Pocumtuck Ridge Trail - a 15-mile trail along the Pocumtuck Ridge stretching from Turner's Falls to Mt. Sugarloaf in Sunderland. Terrain is generally considered moderate with some steep and rocky sections, most notably in Rocky Mountain Park in Greenfield, and Mt. Sugarloaf in S. Deerfield. Loop hikes that include part of the Pocumtuck Ridge Trail and scenic vistas on relatively moderate terrain can be found at Rocky Mountain Park, Woolman Hill Retreat Center, and N. Sugarloaf.

Robert Frost Trail - a 47-mile trail from Wendell State Forest to the Mt. Holyoke Range with a full range of hiking terrain most steep and rugged along the Holyoke Range. The easiest section is a mainly flat 3.5-mile segment through Lawrence Swamp in S. Amherst. My personal favorite and most hiked section is out and back at Stoddard Hill in Leverett, a gentle climb from Route 63, with rocks and roots along a narrow, less traveled footpath.

New England Trail - 95-miles from border-to-border in Massachusetts. Expect more challenging and strenuous hikes in almost all the sections. There are some flatter/easier and/or low elevation parts in Southwick and between Wendell State Forest headquarters and Lake Wyola.

Lake Bray Loop at Mt. Tom.

Mt. Tom State Reservation, Holyoke:

Bray Loop Trail - 2-mile hike that begins and ends on an accessible trail at Lake Bray and is considered "easy" in relation to other trails in the park. There are some long grades and a brook crossing, otherwise the trail is mostly wide and well-traveled.

Mt. Sugarloaf State Reservation, Sunderland:

North Sugarloaf hike - a 3+ mile forested excursion starting from Hillside Road in Sunderland allowing for travel along the Pocumtuck Ridge trail as part of a loop hike accessed by an entry trail from the parking lot. A side extension along the ridge loop brings you to a scenic vista and there are a couple of trail choices for the return. Expect some rocky travel with moderate grades. Avoid hiking to or from trail-linked South Sugarloaf if you have issues with footing, otherwise, it is possible to create a longer hike of 4-5 miles incorporating both mountains it you are comfortable with a steep ascent of South Sugarloaf, which can be achieved by trail or paved road.

Berkshires

A rustic bench view of a pond in Beartown State Forest.

Clarksburg State Park, Clarksburg:

Pond Loop Trail - This 3-mile wooded trail on moderate terrain circles Mauserts Pond, travels over bog bridges, and offers scenic views of the pond and surrounding hills. Interpretive stops at numbered posts correspond to a self-guided brochure.

Beartown State Forest, Monterey:

Benedict Pond Loop Trail - 1.7-mile loop through different forest types includes rocky footpaths and a dirt road on moderate terrain, with a bench at the water's edge along the way, and a self-guided interpretive brochure. 

Mt. Greylock State Reservation, N. Adams:

Greylock Glen Meadow Loop - a 1.7-mile long road-like hike through moderate terrain with long gradual grades undulating through field and forest edge.

A wrap-up reminder to plan well before you go to ensure your safety and success. This list represents a wide range of trails and is not a guarantee that any recommendation will match your abilities. It is also recommended to wear blaze orange if you are hiking during hunting season. 

Happy Trails!