Fall Finds: Hiking Destinations

The cooler, crisper air means just one thing: fall is here to stay. Instead of mourning the end of summer, however, why not hit the great outdoors and enjoy the refreshing temperatures and beautiful fall foliage?

Head to Purgatory Chasm in Sutton, MA for an easy-to-moderate hiking trail that will lead you through granite walls, trickling streams, and wooded paths. The Chasm is a natural landmark that formed in the last Ice Age by the sudden release of glacial meltwater. Purgatory Chasm has something for everybody- a playground and visitor center for younger guests, granite boulders and rock walls for adventurous climbers, and dirt paths that wind through the State Park, offering some of the season's most beautiful foliage views for photographers and admirers alike. Trails throughout the forest lead to different rock formations with names like "The Devil's Coffin," "The Pulpit," "Lovers' Leap," and "Fat Man's Misery." Remember to wear your hiking boots, however, as rocks and paths can sometimes be slippery. Leashed dogs are welcome!

Photo from Scenicusa.com

Location: 198 Purgatory Road, Sutton MA 01590

$2 Parking Fee

Another great place to enjoy the autumn weather is Mass Audubon's Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick, MA. The varied trails at Broadmoor lead you along the Charles River through shady woodlands into open meadows, along rushing streams, ponds, and marshlands. There are a total of 9 miles of well-groomed trails, along which visitors may have the opportunity to see beaver dams, wood ducks, turtles, mill dams, and scenic waterfalls. There are plenty of benches and bridges along the way to sit and soak in the scenery, snap photos, or sketch and paint the beautiful surroundings. 

Location: 280 Eliot Street, Natick MA 01760

Free with membership, $5 non-member