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Great Hill Recreation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 128 Google reviews · Running trail in Acton, Massachusetts · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Great Hill Recreation Area'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.
What runners say about Great Hill Recreation Area
“We also love the extensive trails there; great for a quick, scenic hike.”
“Pretty well marked and for the woods, not particularly buggy and quite suitable for young kids, my 5 and 8 year old girls had no fun.”
“I walk through all seasons of the year and love the quiet twisting journey.”
“Fairly easy trail with a few muddy patches.”
Where Google map took me was inaccurate. Fortunately, I drove along the edge of the park area and found a small marked entrance area at the end of Kelley Road, which was just a short distance from where I'd started. Someone tacked up trail maps to the trees, which was very handy.
The trail is well marked, with blue trail shortcuts to make the overall hike a little shorter for those who need it. Pretty rocky, so one should be careful about twisting an ankle. Not good for speed hiking, but cool views to be taken in.
Very nice hiking area with a big field and a pond that's perfect to exercise your dog. There are a few irresponsible owners that do not have control over their unfriendly dogs, so you have to watch out for that.
Great Hill is a great conservation area in Acton. There are miles of well marked trails. There is also a small pond where dog owners frequently convene to allow them to run and play off leash. (An informal dog park) However, the pond sometimes has an unpleasant algae bloom in the summer.
Trail conditions & character
“Friendly doggies will be on the trails though, which is fine by me but you need to know in case you're not good with unleashed dogs.”
“We also love the extensive trails there; great for a quick, scenic hike.”
“Pretty well marked and for the woods, not particularly buggy and quite suitable for young kids, my 5 and 8 year old girls had no fun.”
“Completing the whole yellow loop (with the red side trails) gave me about 7000 steps plus about 20 floors of elevation change.”
“I walk through all seasons of the year and love the quiet twisting journey.”
“Pretty rocky, so one should be careful about twisting an ankle.”
“Completing the whole yellow loop (with the red side trails) gave me about 7000 steps plus about 20 floors of elevation change.”
“There is a fair few parking spots around the hill, but we went from the back of The Discovery Museum.”
Plan your run at Great Hill Recreation Area
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- 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.
- Websitetrails.actonma.gov
- Phone(978) 929-6640
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Acton
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
South Acton Trailhead Assabet River Rail Trail
4.3 ★★★★☆ 4 reviews
Isaac Davis Trail
5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews
