Massachusetts · Rock climbing · Medford

Highway Slab

5 routes
5.3 – 5.6
Trad · Bouldering
Jun–Oct
best months

Highway Slab is a climbing area in Massachusetts, about a mile from the community of Malden Highlands. It sits among a cluster of other climbing spots, with Quarry Road/Bellevue Pond at Middlesex Fells just 0.1 mile away and Highway Cliff about 0.3 mile off. The area is close to several other climbing areas and hiking routes, making it easy to pair with a longer outing. The climbing here is mostly traditional, with five routes ranging from 5.3 to 5.6 on the YDS scale. The boulder route Slopes Boulder is also within a third of a mile. The most straightforward climb is The Perfect Slab at 5.3, and Halftime Break at 5.6 is the hardest of the five. For timing, late spring and early fall are the most comfortable. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Reading show May highs around 70°F and September highs around 75°F, while winter brings regular snow days from December through February. Hikers can extend a visit with East Dam Road, about 0.6 mile away, or Hemlock Pool Path at roughly 0.9 mile. Paddlers will find the Shawsheen River about 10 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Highway Slab

    Best months: 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

      38° / 19°

      12 wet · 8 snow

    2. Feb

      40° / 20°

      11 wet · 7 snow

    3. Mar

      48° / 27°

      13 wet · 6 snow

    4. Apr

      60° / 37°

      13 wet · 1 snow

    5. May

      70° / 47°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      78° / 56°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 63°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 61°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 53°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      64° / 42°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      53° / 32°

      11 wet · 2 snow

    12. Dec

      43° / 24°

      12 wet · 5 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Reading, MA, 6.2 mi away at 110 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (5)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

Painted BoulderPhoto: Karlunun, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Painted Boulder

~2 min drive

Painted Boulder in Massachusetts has 5 bouldering routes across 3 grades.

Hemlock Pool at Middlesex FellsPhoto: Karlunun, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Hemlock Pool at Middlesex Fells

~2 min drive

15 bouldering routes at Hemlock Pool in Massachusetts.

The CovePhoto: Karlunun, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Cove

~2 min drive

Cove, The in Massachusetts has 8 climbing routes on 6 difficulty grades.

Crag 3Photo: Karlunun, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Crag 3

~2 min drive

Crag 3 in Massachusetts has 5 routes with 4 difficulty grades, offering top-rope and trad climbing.

Crag 54Photo: Karlunun, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Crag 54

~3 min drive

Crag 54 in Massachusetts has 8 routes with 6 difficulty grades, offering bouldering and top-rope climbing.

Fat ManPhoto: Karlunun, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Fat Man

~3 min drive

Accessible Massachusetts climbing area with varied routes for developing climbers.

CLIMB

Quarry Road/Bellevue Pond at Middlesex Fells

Next door

12 climbing routes in Massachusetts spanning 8 difficulty grades.

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Mud Road Trail

Next door

10 climbing routes in Massachusetts spanning 7 difficulty grades, featuring bouldering pads and top-rope.

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Highway Cliff

Next door

Highway Cliff in Massachusetts has 6 bouldering routes across 5 difficulty grades.

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Slopes Boulder

Next door

Slopes Boulder in Massachusetts has 5 bouldering routes with 5 distinct difficulty grades.