Moderate
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 9.1 km / 5.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 626 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 50 min
- Mountain
- Summit push
Thoreau’s Footsteps
HardMassachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 13.0 km (8.1 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 705 m (2,313 ft)
- Typical time
- 3 hr 46 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Route type
- Loop
- Highest point
- 1,062 m (3,484 ft)
About Thoreau’s Footsteps
Thoreau’s Footsteps is a 13.0 km hiking route in Massachusetts, United States. It climbs roughly 705 m (2,313 ft) along the way, topping out at 1,062 m (3,484 ft). Most people take around 3 hr 46 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. Treat it as a full day out: the ascent is relentless in places and there are few easy escape points.
There is no one famous view here. The appeal is the sustained quality of the walking and the fact that you are unlikely to share it with a crowd.
It is a 13.0 km loop, so you finish where you started and never repeat a section. It is not consistently waymarked, so carry a map or a downloaded track rather than relying on signs.
It walks well across three seasons, with spring and autumn offering the best combination of light, temperature and quiet paths. The nearest town of any size is Pittsfield, about 24.1 km away, which is where most people base themselves.
In short, Thoreau’s Footsteps suits fit hikers with a habit of long days and an eye on the forecast. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.
Route map
Hard13.0 km705 m1,062 m
Numbered marks every 5 km
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
Elevation
Elevation profile
- Ascent
- +705 m
- Descent
- −734 m
- High
- 1,062 m (3,484 ft)
- Low
- 396 m (1,299 ft)
The route in detail
The loop is usually walked clockwise from the main trailhead. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. The steepest pitch runs at roughly 38 percent, short but enough to slow most people to a crawl. The return leg is the reverse of the outward journey, which makes it easy to judge remaining time.
Highlights
- High point of 1,062 m (3,484 ft)
- Circular route, no backtracking
Know before you go
- Best season
- April to October
- Waymarked
- Not consistently
- Surface
- Mixed natural surface
- Dogs
- Not recorded, check locally
- Wheelchair access
- Not accessible
- Entrance fee
- No fee recorded
- Camping
- Not recorded
- Drinking water
- Carry your own
- Toilets
- Not recorded
- Mobile coverage
- Generally usable
- Parking
- Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
- Emergency
- 112 in Europe, 911 in North America
How this trail scores
Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.
- Scenery
- 51/100
- Adventure
- 33/100
- Difficulty
- 48/100
- Accessibility
- 31/100
- Family
- 17/100
- Dogs
- 62/100
Terrain features, relief and photographic interest
Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is
Effort index from distance and climbing
Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it
Suitability for children who already walk
Access rules, terrain and water along the way
Tips from the trail
- Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and the quietest paths.
- Aim for april to october for the most reliable conditions.
- Download the track to your phone before you leave. Signal is not guaranteed.
- Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.
Warnings
- This route is long and sustained. Turn back early rather than late if the weather closes in.
- Some sections are steep enough to be awkward in the wet, particularly on the way down.
- Outside the main season expect snow, ice or closed access on the higher sections.
Safety
Emergency services in United States are reached on 911. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage is generally usable along this route, but do not rely on it as your only plan. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.
What to bring
- Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
- Weatherproof jacket
- At least 1.5 litres of water
- Trekking poles for the descent
- Offline map and compass
- Head torch and spare battery
- Extra warm layer
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
- Small first aid kit including blister plasters
Photography
Overcast light suits this route better than harsh midday sun, especially under tree cover. Because it is a loop, the light changes direction as you go, so save some memory for the back half. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
No one has reviewed Thoreau’s Footsteps yet. Be the first.
Trails near Thoreau’s Footsteps
Other routes within a short drive, ranked by distance from this trailhead.
Moderate
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 2.0 km / 1.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 159 m
- Typical duration
- 39 min
- Mountain
- Summit push
Easy
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 2.8 km / 1.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 62 m
- Typical duration
- 40 min
Hard
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 13.2 km / 8.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 706 m
- Typical duration
- 3 hr 48 min
- Mountain
- Summit push
- Forest
Moderate
Moderate
Massachusetts · United States
- Distance
- 3.7 km / 2.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 149 m
- Typical duration
- 59 min