Hike of the Month: Mount Watatic
This month, we’re heading to new heights with a rewarding trek up Mount Watatic—a beloved peak in north-central Massachusetts that rises to 1,832 feet. A classic monadnock, Watatic stands alone on the landscape and rewards hikers with sweeping 360-degree views from its open summit. Whether you're chasing a heart-pumping climb or just looking for a short adventure with big payoffs, Watatic delivers. Here’s everything you need to know about this scenic mountain hike, including some critical information about parking.
Trail Options:
Trailhead: Watatic Parking Lot off Route 119, Ashburnham, MA
You’ve got two great choices for reaching the summit:
1. Mount Watatic via Midstate Trail
Distance: 2.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 613 feet
Trail Type: Out & Back
Map: Explore on AllTrails
This is the most popular and direct route to the summit of Mount Watatic. The trail begins flat as it passes through a swampy area with a small pond, then steepens gradually. The trail is mostly wooded until you reach the summit, which is marked by a large cairn.
2. Mount Watatic via Midstate Trail
Distance: 3 miles
Elevation Gain: 725 feet
Trail Type: Loop
Map: Explore on AllTrails
This route follows the Wapack Trail – a 21.5-mile hiking trail that begins at the Watatic Parking lot off Route 119 and runs north-south up through new Hampshire, following the Wapack Range. You'll take the same initial approach as the Midstate Trail, but after summiting Watatic, continue down the northern slope toward Nutting Hill, where scenic ledges offer additional viewpoints before you loop back to the parking area.
Best Views
Reaching the summit is only part of the reward. Continue a few hundred yards past the peak to discover an even more expansive lookout—many hikers say it offers the best views on the mountain!
Parking
Limited parking is available in the designated parking area off MA-119 in Ashburnham, Mass. Please note that parking is prohibited along MA-119 – a policy that is strictly enforced. If you want to secure a spot at the trailhead, make sure to get there early in the day!
Who Manages Mount Watatic?
The Mount Watatic Reservation is managed by a partnership of several entities, including the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW), and the towns of Ashby and Ashburnham. Mount Grace assisted Ashburnham Conservation Trust and Ashby Land Trust in their campaign to protect 280 acres on Mount Watatic in 2002, including the summit of the mountain, but we do not manage the property. The reservation is part of a larger 900-acre block of protected open space that creates an important wildlife corridor through the heart of Massachusetts.