Massachusetts · Hiking

Roller Coaster

Roller CoasterPhoto: Qfamily, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
1.3 mi
round trip
518 ft
climb
551 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr, Jun–Oct
best months

Roller Coaster is an easy out-and-back hike in western Massachusetts, about 1.3 miles from the community of Aldrich Mills. The route is roughly 2.6 miles long, with a total climb of about 518 feet and a high point of 551 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.68 miles in, with a grade of about 10 percent. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Belchertown put May highs around 68°F and September highs around 73°F, with July the warmest month at about 82°F. Pond Trail starts just 0.1 mile away, and the mountain biking routes Jacob's Ladder and Em's Gem are each about 0.2 mile off. For time on the water, the Fort River offers canoeing about 5 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Apr, Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Roller Coaster

    Best months: April and June–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

      33° / 15°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      35° / 15°

      10 wet

    3. Mar

      44° / 24°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      57° / 34°

      11 wet

    5. May

      68° / 45°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      77° / 54°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      82° / 60°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 58°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 51°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      60° / 40°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      49° / 31°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      38° / 22°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Belchertown, MA, 9 mi away at 550 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