Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 4.7 km / 2.9 mi
- Typical duration
- 59 min
- Lake
- Wildlife watching
Hiking Trails Under 5 km near Boston
The directory currently contains 111 quality-checked routes matching this guide near Boston. Their average mapped distance is 2.2 km and average recorded ascent is 24 m (79 ft); the longest route in the set is 4.9 km.
This subset represents 63% of the 177 quality-checked routes near Boston. Its average distance is 2.2 km, compared with 8.7 km across the full local set. Average recorded ascent is 24 m (79 ft), versus 63 m (207 ft) for all quality-checked routes in the same area.
Every route in this set has a mapped distance of 5 km or less. Time and suitability still depend on ascent, surface and conditions. Within this set, 99 routes (89%) are rated easy, 0 (0%) are rated hard or expert, and 22 (20%) are recorded as loops. Ratings are computed from available distance and elevation data and do not establish current terrain or access.
Data refreshed September 2026
Choose by the details
How do these routes differ?
A closer look at the first 6 routes in this page’s default ordering. These comparisons describe this sample, not the entire destination or a field-tested recommendation.
Shortest mapped distance in this sample
0.6 km
Virginia Wood TrailCompare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.
Lowest recorded ascent in this sample
0 m
Great Meadows Bird Observer Trail6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.
Return logistics
1 recorded loop
Check start and finish for every option. An unknown shape does not mean a loop, and a loop does not establish access to its start.
Plan the return journey →Distances follow stored route lines; ascent and time are estimates. Current access, surface and technical difficulty need separate checks. How to turn a comparison into a shortlist.
Trails
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 0.6 km / 0.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 18 m
- Typical duration
- 9 min
- Forest
- Waymarked route
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 4.3 km / 2.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 35 m
- Typical duration
- 57 min
- River
- Forest
Moderate
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 1.2 km / 0.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 57 m
- Typical duration
- 21 min
- Waymarked route
Moderate
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 2.3 km / 1.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 68 m
- Typical duration
- 34 min
- Waymarked route
Moderate
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 0.9 km / 0.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 18 m
- Typical duration
- 13 min
- Waymarked route
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 4.1 km / 2.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 12 m
- Typical duration
- 52 min
- Waymarked route
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 2.2 km / 1.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 9 m
- Typical duration
- 28 min
- Waymarked route
Easy
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 1.5 km / 1.0 mi
- Elevation gain
- 30 m
- Typical duration
- 22 min
- Waymarked route
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 2.0 km / 1.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 20 m
- Typical duration
- 27 min
- Waymarked route
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 0.9 km / 0.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 35 m
- Typical duration
- 15 min
- Waymarked route
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 1.7 km / 1.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 7 m
- Typical duration
- 22 min
- Waymarked route
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 2.4 km / 1.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 6 m
- Typical duration
- 31 min
- Waymarked route
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 1.3 km / 0.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 7 m
- Typical duration
- 17 min
- Waymarked route
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 3.0 km / 1.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 67 m
- Typical duration
- 44 min
- Lake
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 3.6 km / 2.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 80 m
- Typical duration
- 53 min
- Waymarked route
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 2.5 km / 1.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 23 m
- Typical duration
- 33 min
- River
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 1.1 km / 0.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 10 m
- Typical duration
- 15 min
- River
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 2.3 km / 1.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 8 m
- Typical duration
- 29 min
- Forest
Moderate
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 3.0 km / 1.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 68 m
- Typical duration
- 44 min
- Mountain
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 1.1 km / 0.7 mi
- Typical duration
- 13 min
- Waymarked route
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 1.1 km / 0.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 7 m
- Typical duration
- 14 min
- Waymarked route
Easy
Easy
Moderate
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 4.1 km / 2.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 80 m
- Typical duration
- 59 min
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 1.6 km / 1.0 mi
- Elevation gain
- 45 m
- Typical duration
- 24 min
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 4.3 km / 2.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 29 m
- Typical duration
- 57 min
Moderate
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 2.1 km / 1.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 54 m
- Typical duration
- 31 min
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 4.6 km / 2.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 122 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 8 min
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 4.5 km / 2.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 30 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr
Easy
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 2.9 km / 1.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 29 m
- Typical duration
- 39 min
Easy
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 2.1 km / 1.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 22 m
- Typical duration
- 28 min
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 1.4 km / 0.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 6 m
- Typical duration
- 18 min
Easy
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 1.5 km / 0.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 15 m
- Typical duration
- 20 min
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 1.3 km / 0.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 37 m
- Typical duration
- 19 min
Easy
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 2.8 km / 1.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 32 m
- Typical duration
- 38 min
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 1.4 km / 0.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 34 m
- Typical duration
- 20 min
Easy
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 2.6 km / 1.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 36 m
- Typical duration
- 35 min
Easy
Easy
Easy
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 1.0 km / 0.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 29 m
- Typical duration
- 16 min
The shortlist, side by side
The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time | Difficulty | Best season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Meadows Bird Observer TrailMassachusetts | 4.7 km | 0 m | 59 min | Easy | April to October |
| Virginia Wood TrailMassachusetts | 0.6 km | 18 m | 9 min | Easy | April to October |
| Sabine Woods LoopMassachusetts | 4.3 km | 35 m | 57 min | Easy | April to October |
| Blue TrailMassachusetts | 1.2 km | 57 m | 21 min | Moderate | April to October |
| Crystal Spring TrailMassachusetts | 2.3 km | 68 m | 34 min | Moderate | April to October |
| Red TrailMassachusetts | 0.9 km | 18 m | 13 min | Moderate | April to October |
| ALC ACROSS Lexington Route CMassachusetts | 4.1 km | 12 m | 52 min | Easy | April to October |
| Balsam TrailMassachusetts | 2.2 km | 9 m | 28 min | Easy | April to October |
| Fells PathMassachusetts | 0.7 km | 0 m | 8 min | Easy | April to October |
| Historic TrailMassachusetts | 1.5 km | 30 m | 22 min | Easy | April to October |
Great Meadows Bird Observer Trail, Virginia Wood Trail, Westvale-Harrington Park Yellow Trail currently rank highest in this filtered set according to the directory score. Open an individual route to inspect its mapped line, elevation profile, data source and planning caveats. Check live access, conditions and local rules with an official source before travelling.
Frequently asked questions
Plan with more confidence
All planning articles →Choosing a route
How to choose a hike beyond the difficulty label
Compare distance, climbing, route shape and missing information to build a shortlist that fits your day.
Read article →Understanding the map
Read an elevation profile without misreading the climb
Understand total ascent, net height change, profile scale and the section breakdown on each mapped route.
Read article →Planning your day
Build a hiking time plan with room for your own pace
Separate moving time, climbing allowance and stops, then explore how changing your assumptions changes the plan.
Read article →Related guides
Other shortlists covering the same area or the same kind of terrain.
- Hiking Trails Under 5 km in United States3816
- Moderate Hiking Trails in United States2589
- Easy Hiking Trails in United States2332
- Family-Friendly Hikes in United States2298
- Best Mountain Hikes in United States1375
- Dog-Friendly Hikes in United States1092
- Loop Trails in United States1042
- Hiking Trails Under 10 km in California829
- Hard Hiking Trails in United States778
- Moderate Hiking Trails in California722
- Best Autumn Hikes in California628
- Hiking Trails Under 5 km in California600
- Easy Hiking Trails in Connecticut565
- Family-Friendly Hikes in Connecticut564
- Hiking Trails Over 20 km in United States545
People also search for
- Hiking Trails Under 5 km near San Jose134
- Hiking Trails Under 10 km near Thionville131
- Hiking Trails Under 10 km near Luxembourg123
- Hiking Trails Under 10 km near Feldkirch116
- Hiking Trails Under 5 km near Thonon-les-Bains115
- Hiking Trails Under 5 km near Yverdon-les-Bains113
- Hiking Trails Under 10 km near Sopron110
- Hiking Trails Under 10 km near Aarau109
- Hiking Trails Under 5 km near Washington106
- Hiking Trails Under 10 km near Lörrach105
- Hiking Trails Under 10 km near Dornbirn103
- Hiking Trails Under 10 km near Wettingen102