Massachusetts · Hiking

South Trail

South TrailPhoto: Bobby17543, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.8 mi
round trip
217 ft
climb
831 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr, Jun–Oct
best months

South Trail is a short, easy out-and-back hike in Massachusetts, about 2.7 miles from the town of Sturbridge. The route is 1.6 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 217 feet, and it reaches a high point of 831 feet. The climb is gentle, with the steepest stretch at about 0.35 miles in, where the grade reaches 5 percent. The most comfortable months for a visit are late spring through early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at E Brimfield Lake show June highs around 75°F and September highs around 72°F, with July the warmest month at about 80°F. The hike takes about half an hour, and the North Trail starts just 0.1 mile away. Mill Pond Trail and Field Loop Trail are also close by. For an overnight stay, Westville Recreation Area is about 5 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Apr, Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit South Trail

    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

      34° / 16°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 17°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      44° / 25°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      57° / 36°

      12 wet

    5. May

      67° / 46°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      75° / 56°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 61°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      79° / 60°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      72° / 52°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      61° / 40°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      50° / 31°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      39° / 23°

      12 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at E Brimfield Lake, MA, 3.8 mi away at 700 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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