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Watatic Mountain State Wildlife Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 369 Google reviews · Running trail in Ashburnham, Massachusetts · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Watatic Mountain State Wildlife 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.
Scenic views (including Boston) & diverse wildlife draw crowds to this rugged hiking destination.
What runners say about Watatic Mountain State Wildlife Area
“Beautiful reservation, almost the entire trail is inside the forest so there is a lot of shade.”
“Lots of people with small children do it so it's good for people of all ages.”
Very nice hike. Well traveled, 3 miles. About 600 feet elevation gain. Good view south and West. Can see mt wachussett to the west and Boston to the south. Beautiful! Bring a lunch and watch the view! Do NOT park along the main road if you want to avoid a ticket - all the cars I saw were ticketed.
Steep trail. Great panoramic views at the top, including Mt. Watchusett. Favored by local trail runners and dog-lovers alike. You will be reminded several times along the trail to keep "Fido" leashed as it seems like every hiker has their 4-legged family members with them.
It's about a 1500 foot climb in just over a mile, so it gets pretty steep for a good stretch, but it's worth it. There are a few "false" views that may make you think you've reached the top, but the best summit offers a roughly 300 degree view, with only the view towards Monadnock blocked by trees.
Went to Mount Watatic today unplanned. Terrain is muddy in some places because of all the rain we got last week but moderate to easy terrain. They need to fix that pot hole at the entrance of trailhead but it's a good hiking place. Limited parking though. Views are spectacular when you reach the top!!!
Trail conditions & character
“Nice easy to moderate hike to the top, Make sure you go to the next peak as well which is just 5 min away to get great unblocked views.”
“It's about a 1500 foot climb in just over a mile, so it gets pretty steep for a good stretch, but it's worth it.”
“Also, be careful parking as there were cops patrolling the No Parking zones and handing out tickets.”
“A lot of bugs so don't forget the spray, and it stays supper muddy even a few days after rain (which is not a downside as this is what the authentic wild is really about!”
Plan your run at Watatic Mountain State Wildlife 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
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitemountgrace.org
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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 |
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