Wachusett Mountain

Wachusett Mountain is the high point of Princeton with an impressive 360-degree view of Central Massachusetts, extending from Boston to Mount Greylock and the White Mountains. The mountain has over 16 miles of trails on all sides, with several ascending around 1000 feet to the summit . The mountain is owned by Massachusetts DCR and is a very popular destination year-round.

Wachusett is also situated on the Midstate Trail and offers connections north to New Hampshire and the Wapack Trail, east to Leominster State Forest and the Monoosnoc Ridge, and to the south to Wachusett Meadow, Calamint Hill Trails, and out to Barre Falls Dam and Rhode Island.

Trails on the mountain can be combined to create interesting hikes of any length and difficulty, from the half-mile walk from Administration Road to Echo Pond, to the 17.5 mile redline hike, which traverses all of the trails on the mountain. Several designed hikes can be found in our hike documentation page, including loops on various sides of the mountain, some summit loops and some easier 'halfway up' loops. Also, the roads on the mountain are lightly used and make great passageways in all seasons for hikers.

The DCR map documents each of the many trails on the mountain.

Some of the more interesting features of the mountain are:

The Summit, with interpretive kiosks and a viewing platform giving the 360 degree views described above, as well as a photo in each direction pointing out the features in the distance.

The North Road Lookout, with a great view up to the mountains in the north, with Mount Monadnock most predominant.

Josti's View, from the upper end of the Harrington trail with a view to the west.

The Harlow Outlook, with a great view toward Boston, a perfect spot for sun and moon rises.

Echo Pond, off the Echo Pond Road and Trail that is easily accessible from Mountain Road or Westminster Road.

Balance Rock, on the Balance Rock Trail, a Glacial erratic that is balanced atop another rock.