HomeMassachusettsHudson › Danforth Falls Trailhead

Danforth Falls Trailhead

4.4 ★★★★☆ 75 Google reviews · Running trail in Hudson, Massachusetts · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Danforth Falls Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Natural surfaceLoopScenicDog-friendlyHillyTrailhead parkingQuiet

Family-friendly, maintained nature trails featuring picturesque waterfalls and a stream, plus wildflowers.

What runners say about Danforth Falls Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (75 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“In times of high water, the falls are beautiful with the upper part of the trail can be quite wet.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“Such a peaceful place with the birds singing and the sound of waterfalls.”

👟 good for all levels 3 mentions

“Easy walking with no steep sections.”

I did 1.3 miles in 35 minutes. Such a peaceful place with the birds singing and the sound of waterfalls. The trail is well marked (look for the white triangles painted on the trees). Nice wide tails that meander through the woods and along Danforth Brook with many waterfalls.

★★★★★ — Joseph , Apr 2024

Very easy short hike. Perfect for kids! The waterfall is pretty and peaceful.

★★★★★ — Katie , Apr 2025

In times of high water, the falls are beautiful with the upper part of the trail can be quite wet. If you want to do the full loop, keep an eye out for the southbound uphill leg of the trail, it can be hard to find.

★★★★☆ — Kevin , Jul 2023

This was a nice quick trail and easily accessible from the street. My only critique would be that the falls are not exactly what I was expecting. More of a pile of rocks. 😁 Photo included.

★★★★☆ — Boyd , Oct 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 75 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 10 mentions

“In times of high water, the falls are beautiful with the upper part of the trail can be quite wet.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 7 mentions

“Parking is simple to find even though there's no mention of it on any websites I could find.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 6 mentions

“It's actually super different from a lot of the terrain around it, has a river & lots of rocky areas.”

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🔁 Loop trail 4 mentions

“If you want to do the full loop, keep an eye out for the southbound uphill leg of the trail, it can be hard to find.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 3 mentions

“Prefer to walk up hill st start of loop and return along the river.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 3 mentions

“Always well groomed trails & the dogs love it!”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“Such a peaceful place with the birds singing and the sound of waterfalls.”

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Plan your run at Danforth Falls Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitetownofhudson.org

Hours

Monday 5 am–10 pm
Tuesday 5 am–10 pm
Wednesday 6 am–11 pm
Thursday 6 am–11 pm
Friday 6 am–11 pm
Saturday 5 am–10 pm
Sunday 5 am–10 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Danforth Falls Trailhead

Danforth Falls Trailhead, #01749, Hudson, MA 01749

Get directions

Running trails near Hudson

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Wood Park

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ShadedScenic

Pretty park with a playground, plus a band shell for concerts and an Assabet River-side walking bridge.

1.2 miles away

Assabet River Nature Trail

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Assabet River Rail Trail Access Path (Fossile Easement)

4.6 ★★★★★ 41 reviews

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Park suitable for kids offering areas for walking and biking.

1.9 miles away

Gates Pond Reservoir Loop Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 210 reviews

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LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Nature preserve providing kid-friendly hiking trails around a picturesque pond.

2.0 miles away

Assabet River Rail Trail - East Hudson Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 125 reviews

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Paved

Paved biking and walking trail that extends for about 2 hours.

2.0 miles away

The Grove

4.5 ★★★★★ 129 reviews

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ScenicDog-friendly

Peaceful area for walking and letting dogs swim, including lakeside beaches and paths.

2.6 miles away

All running trails in Hudson, MA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.