Massachusetts · Hiking

Crane Swamp Trail

Crane Swamp TrailPhoto: Jakob Roedler (1808-1862), Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.5 mi
round trip
48 ft
climb
286 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Jun, Aug–Oct
best months

Crane Swamp Trail is a short, easy out-and-back hike in Massachusetts, about half a mile from the town of Woodside. The route is nearly flat, with a high point of 286 feet and a low of 272 feet, and the total climb is only 48 feet round trip. The trail is under a mile long, and the steepest stretch comes early on, at about 0.05 miles in, with a grade of about 4 percent. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Maynard show May highs around 73°F and September highs around 78°F, while July averages climb to about 87°F. The hike takes about half an hour. Cedar Hill Trail is less than a mile away, and Little Chauncy Trail is about 1.2 miles off. Paddlers can reach the Assabet River about 1.6 miles away, and the Sudbury River is roughly 4.9 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Jun, Aug–Oct

    Best time to visit Crane Swamp Trail

    Best months: April–June and August–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      37° / 15°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      41° / 16°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      48° / 24°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      62° / 34°

      12 wet

    5. May

      73° / 45°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      81° / 55°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      87° / 60°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 58°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      78° / 49°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      66° / 38°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      54° / 29°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      43° / 21°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Maynard 2, MA, 11 mi away at 205 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors