How many hiking trails are listed near Boston?

The directory currently includes 177 quality-checked routes near Boston, covering 1.5k km of mapped lines. These are routes with a traceable source, sufficient geometry and elevation data.

Which route ranks highest near Boston?

Bay Circuit Trail currently has the highest directory score in this set. Compare its distance, ascent and route type with Warner Trail and BCT 5a & 6 Billerica/Bedford/Concord before choosing.

When should you hike near Boston?

Varies by region is the season stored for this place in the directory. It is not a live conditions report: consult the route source, land manager and local forecast before travelling.

Are there routes rated easy near Boston?

115 routes are rated easy by the directory’s distance-and-elevation model. The rating does not rule out rough surface, exposure or temporary hazards, so verify the individual route.

How is “near Boston” defined?

Routes on this page are linked within a 60 km radius of the city. Distances are geographic straight-line measurements, not driving times; open each route to plan the actual journey.

What is the closest hike to Boston?

Walking City Trail Section 4 is the nearest mapped route, about 0.1 km from the city centre.

Massachusetts, United States

Hiking trails near Boston

177 quality-checked hiking routes are currently mapped within 60 km of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Together their route lines cover 1.5k km. The average route is 8.7 km with 63 m (207 ft) of recorded ascent.

177
Trails: 60 km
Search radius: 115
Easy routes: 0.1 km
Closest

The directory difficulty mix is 115 easy (65%), 43 moderate (24%) and 19 hard or expert (11%). 33 routes (19%) are recorded as loops. Difficulty is calculated from available distance and elevation data; it is not a statement about technical terrain or current conditions.

The most frequent route tags are forest (12), river (11), mountain (6), lake (2). The highest recorded point in this set is 194 m (636 ft). The place-level planning field lists varies by region as the preferred season; check each route and official notices for live access and weather. Bay Circuit Trail, Warner Trail, BCT 5a & 6 Billerica/Bedford/Concord currently lead this page’s directory ranking, which uses route completeness and computed route scores rather than editorial field testing.

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

4.7 km

Great Meadows Bird Observer Trail

Compare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

0 m

Great Meadows Bird Observer Trail

6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.

Return logistics

2 recorded loops

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 →

Comparison of the first 6 listed routes
Route	Distance	Ascent	Moving time	Shape
Bay Circuit Trail	381 km	774 m	91 hr	Point to point
Warner Trail	50.9 km	508 m	12 hr	Point to point
BCT 5a & 6 Billerica/Bedford/Concord	16.6 km	74 m	3 hr 37 min	Point to point
Indian Head River Trail	5.6 km	48 m	1 hr 14 min	Loop
Great Meadows Bird Observer Trail	4.7 km	0 m	59 min	Loop
Town Forest Loop Trail	9.5 km	68 m	2 hr 5 min	Point to point

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.