Boston: Skyline Trail to Cross Fells Loop
This 12.1-mile loop skirts five reservoirs, cuts through forests of oak, hemlock, and birch, and gains 2,600 feet of elevation in 2,060-acre Middlesex Fells Reservation.
| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS |
Massachusetts featured hikes / reader trips
|
|
Appalachian Trail: Gulf Road to Cheshire, MAWatch for black bears along this 7.1-mile leg that features woodlands and a worthy side trip to the glacial leftovers of Cheshire Cobbles. Albany, NY: Mount Greylock via Stony LedgeThis 9-mile out-and-back charges up Mount Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts. Boston, MA: North Skyline TrailTake a ridgeline walk to views of the Boston skyline.
|
|
|
Mohawk Trail State ForestAbout a 6.5 mile loop that includes lunch break at the top of the Mt. Todd. Boston, MA: Wompatuck State ParkHike or bike the labyrinthine trail system in Wompatuck State Park near Boston. Schaeffer FarmSchaeffer farm tracks of yellow and white trails
|
Quick Escapes: 10 Trails Near Major CitiesThe perfect metro-area trail: close, wild, uncrowded. Here are 10 major city options. 
Top 3 Literary HikesThoreau, Hemingway, and Kerouac all went into the backcountry to find the right words. 
Adventure Weekends: Luxury Hiking and CampingWe've got a selection of cozy shelters and trail-side restaurants from Washington to Maine. Check out these hikes in the Rockies, the Northeast, and the Northwest. |
Boston: Hike, Bike, and PaddleBeantowners are seeing the light at the end of the Big Dig tunnel, and it's a beautiful shade of green. Massachusetts, High Ledges Wildlife SanctuaryBeantowners love the sights the High Ledges area has to offer. |
AT Nature Photo GalleryWildflowers, bugs, and other nature photographs shot by our map correspondent on the AT © Jeff Chow 
AT Shelter Photo GalleryA few of the shelters and lean-tos found along the length of the Appalachian Trail © Jeff Chow 
AT Panoramic Photo GalleryA collection of five-star overlooks along the Appalachian Trail © Jeff Chow |
AT Interview: Correspondent Jeff ChowJeff Chow spent 10 months mapping every mile of the AT for BACKPACKER. Learn about his favorite spots and hard-earned tips here. |
Share your tales of travel & adventure with our step-by-step guide. Upload trail descriptions, photos, video, and more.
Photos + Videos
Gear Lab: Boots Torture TestCan any hiking boot survive 15 minutes in a cement mixer filled with rocks, sticks, dirt, and bricks? Gear Lab aims to find out. |
Gear Lab: Tents Torture TestWho wants a mountain tent that buckles under pressure? Not us--so we blasted four top tents with a carwash pressure washer to see which one comes out on top. |
|
Adventure Weekends: Luxury Hiking and Camping
We've got a selection of cozy shelters and trail-side restaurants from Washington to Maine. Check out these hikes in the Rockies, the Northeast, and the Northwest.
Hiking The Annapurna Circuit: Q&A With Shannon Davis
Associate editor Shannon Davis tells us more about the highs and lows of his honeymoon trek (featured in March 2009's "The Perfect Circle") on the sky-scraping Annapurna Circuit in Nepal.
American Classic: Hiking the Appalachian Trail
In this ultimate guide to the country's favorite footpath, you'll find our picks for the best hiking and camping, and a complete plan for thru-hikers. Plus, meet a man who has made it his job to help AT hikers.
Mt. Adams: Solitude On Ice
Test your self-arrest skills on Mt. Adams's 12,276-foot fractured glacier.
Hiking Hip Deep in Florida's Swamps
Get your feet (and more) wet on the Florida Trail's best section.
Massachusetts
| Most Popular |
New York City: Alander Mountain Boston, MA: Ponkapoag Pond Loop Boston: Mt. Moosilauke |
BACKPACKER Food & Recipe Center
The ultimate trail-ready archive 
for all your recipe needs.
GearFinder
Find all the outdoor equipment you need. 
Fix-It Center
Make your gear last forever 
with this ultimate DIY guide.
Backpacker's Gadget Guide 2009
The latest gadgets for technophobes, technogeeks,
and everyone in between.
Find the Outdoor Equipment You Need
YES! Please send me my 2 FREE trial issues of BACKPACKER
and my FREE digital Survival Skills 101
