Midstate Trail

Midstate Trail is a long-distance hiking route through Worcester County, Massachusetts, running north–south from the Rhode Island border to the New Hampshire line. It’s 92 miles (148 km) end to end, and it’s commonly broken into shorter day hikes or weekend trips rather than done as one push.

The northern terminus is Mount Watatic in Ashburnham, where the Midstate Trail connects to the Wapack Trail. The southern terminus is Buck Hill State Management Area near Wallum Lake at the Rhode Island border (Douglas).

As you move along the corridor, the route alternates between wooded sections and stretches that run along or near roads, tying together a chain of forests and parks. The overall character is rural enough that you’re often away from houses even though you’re within reach of urban areas.

The trail crosses major eastern-Mass peaks, including Mount Wachusett and Mount Watatic. Those anchor points are also the most obvious places to expect steeper, tougher footing compared with the easier walking between summits.

Wayfinding is built around yellow triangle blazes. Because the route connects many different paths, roads, and greenways, navigation matters most at junctions and transitions between segments.

This hike route is generally rated easy, with occasional steeper and more rugged sections. It’s designed for foot travel (including snowshoeing and backpacking use on some portions), and it’s marked for hikers rather than vehicle access.

More information: Official website, Official website, Wikipedia