7 Hikes In MA For Labor Day Weekend: End Summer On Top

MASSACHUSETTS — The end of summer 2022 is here, even though summer-like temperatures will likely stick around for a while.

To help you end your summer on top, we've assembled an array of local hikes to do that specialize in great summit views. There are about 1 million great hikes to do in Massachusetts, but these have been tested and approved by your local Patch editor.

One note about the weather: make sure to check the forecast before you head out for a hike. There are afternoon thunderstorms in the forecast for Sunday and Labor Day, but you may be able to avoid them if you head out early.

Mt. Wachusett

Pick a trail, any trail — they are all relatively easy, and all lead to a summit with 360-degree views. The Wachusett ski area (separate from the state reservation) will be holding a Labor Day festival of sorts with food trucks and beer at the lodge all weekend.

Find more details here

Asnebumskit Ridge

A gentle hike just outside Worcester offers western views and a peek at Mt. Wachusett. The parking area is at 401 S Road in Holden, and the hike brings you through a dense forest and through an array of radio towers.

Find more details here

Quincy Quarries Reservation

Not a hike per se, more of an experience. Take a stroll around this former granite quarry (and illegal swimming spot) to marvel at colorful graffiti. A short walk to the top of the quarry offers some of the best views of Boston around if you want an alternative to the Blue Hills.

Find more details here

Mt. Watatic

Watatic is like Wachusett's little brother. It's not as tall, but it's a short hike to a bald, rocky summit that's perfect for lunch with a view — you can even see to Boston on clear days. Parking around the trail in Ashby fills up fast on weekend days, but the summit is large enough to accommodate plenty.

Find more details here

Rocky Narrows

A lovely little hike in the Sherborn Town Forest offers a great view of the Charles River and Medfield in the distance. The view area is named King Philip's Overlook because legend has it Metacomet watched Medfield burn during his 17th Century war against colonial invaders.

Find more details here

Mt. Tom

Heading farther west, Mt. Tom boasts endless trails and a long ridge that offers views of the surprisingly flat Pioneer Valley. If you ignore the UMass Amherst campus, the view of miles of farms transports you back to the real pioneer days of the region.

Find more details here

Mt. Greylock

This is the big one. Greylock is the highest mountain in Massachusetts, and the spectacular summit views make it a great pick to end the summer. Take the Gould Trail that hooks around the southern end of the mountain, and it's only about 3 miles to the summit. The trail is steep in some spots, but less so than even some routes up Wachusett.

Find more details here