Secondary 56

Secondary 56 is a short, easy hike in Massachusetts, about 0.7 miles from the town of Tafts Corner. The route is a point-to-point walk of roughly 1.6 miles, with a total elevation gain of 84 feet and a total loss of 204 feet. The climb is gentle, with the steepest stretch at about 1.3 miles in, where the grade reaches 6 percent. Summer and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Worcester show July highs around 80°F and September highs near 71°F, with no snow days from May through September. Winter is cold and snowy, with January highs around 32°F and about seven snow days a month. The trip takes about half an hour, so it works well as a quick outing. Corridor 71 and the Asnebumskit Ridge Trail are both about 4 miles away, and Kettle Brook offers canoeing at a similar distance. Climbers can find Talus Cliff Band about 4.3 miles off.