Around Mt. Wachusett All-roads Circuit

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Leominster, MA, US

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Route Overview

Eastern Massachusetts All-Roads Cycling

Gravel and All-Roads Adventures from Greater Boston to Beyond...

39 mi.

3,198 ft.

40 mile all roads circuit around Mt. Wachusett maximizing gravel roads with a few Class IV roads and hiking trails.

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Route Details

This route circumnavigates Mt. Wachusett, the highest peak in central Massachusetts, aiming to ride on gravel roads and in rural quiet areas. The route traverses all types of road surfaces with the following breakdown: majority paved roads, an equal split between well-maintained dirt roads and non-maintained forest gravel roads that are rougher, and a number of shorter sections of abandoned roads that have not been maintained for years and are quite rough.
Finally there is one short section of hiking trail that can be ridden on a gravel bike by an experienced rider, but will require short sections of walking. The route is a circuit from a state part hiking trail parking lot. There are no fees to park. The route will take riders with moderate fitness about four hours, and riders with excellent fitness about three hours. The route is good from late spring through the fall, until Mt. Wachusett ski area begins making snow.

**Route Details:**
* Initial ride through Leominster state forest - leaving the parking lot, the ride heads West for 3 miles on a @photo[forest gravel road](16368477). The road passes Rocky Pond on the right.
* At 3.2 miles the road turns right onto Route 140 and soon passes [Redemption Rock](http://https://thetrustees.org/place/redemption-rock/), a colonial historical landmark at 3.5 miles. There is a small reservation at Redemption Rock and those interested in the history should stop.
* At 4.4 miles the route turns left and head south towards Mount Wachusett.
* At 5.6 miles, after passing the base of the ski area, the route takes a hard right onto a dirt road that @photo[ascends across the lower aspects of the ski trails](16368479) before heading into the woods. This section heads through @photo[older hemlock forests and is quiet and beautiful](16368481).
* At 7 miles, the route takes a sharp right and @photo[heads downhill](16368482) for 0.2 miles before reaching a gate where the route takes a hard left onto W. Princeton Rd. and heads south. The road continues generally south and mostly downhill for several miles, passing a @photo[beautiful New England farm](16368483) on the left at 10.9 miles.
* At 12.4 miles the road passes over a walking bridge for which you will have to dismount your bikes and there is a @photo[beautiful view of a wetland](16368484) at the Ware River Canoe Launch.
* At 13.1 miles the road takes a hard left and then heads back east.
* At 16.4 miles the route takes a hard left at the bottom of the hill before crossing railroad tracks onto Callamint Hill Road which begins a long climb.
* At 18.3 miles during a steep downhill the road takes a sharp left onto a dirt road which continues downhill. This section is rough so exercise caution.
* At 23.2 miles after turning north, the route passes through @photo[beautiful open pastures](16368485) on both sides with an expansive view.
* At 28.6 miles after a steep climb, the road takes a hard right onto Route 140 which is a busy road with a wide shoulder, and heads downhill.
* At 30.5 miles the route takes a hard left.
* At 32.9 miles the route takes a hard right onto Hardscrabble Road which begins paved and at 33.1 miles becomes a gravel road which is not maintained. The road becomes rougher and @photo[climbs for almost a mile](16368487), quite steeply at some points.
* At 33.8 miles the route rejoins a paved road, taking a left and heading west past Hy-Crest Pond.
* At 35.7 miles, near the bottom of a very steep long descent, the route takes a hard right back into Leominster State Forest and rides on a hiking trail. It follows a hiking trail for approximately 0.5 miles where it joins an abandoned road, Bartlett Road, heading north. For the next 1.8 miles the route follows an abandoned road that becomes Held Highway, climbing for much of the route.
* At 38 miles the route rejoins @photo[Rocky Pond Road](16368488), the first road that the route started on, and heads back east for approximately 2 miles to the starting point in parking lot.
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# Route:

* Where to park: Leominster State Forest Elm Trailhead
* The route starts from the Leominster State Forest Elm Trailhead parking lot and heads west on a gravel road through the State Forest. It follows this road for 3 miles before exiting the State Park and heading towards Mt. Wachusett.
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**Points of interest:**
1. [Redemption Rock](http://thetrustees.org/place/redemption-rock/): King Philip's War hostage Mary White Rowlandson was released from captivity @photo[here](16368478) in April 1676
2. [Mount Wachusett Ski Area](http://www.wachusett.com/): Open late Nov to March. 
3. @photo[Ware River Canoe Launch](16368484): Beautiful view of wetlands
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* The route features the best of north-central New England landscapes ranging from @photo[open fields and farms](16368485), to @photo[forest gravel roads](16368481), wilderness ponds and views of Mt. Wachusett from all angles.
* The ride has a number of climbs on dirt roads including at miles 0.8, 5.6, 33.2 and 35.6.
* Dangerous intersections or busy sections of road:
mile 7.1 steep downhill to gate and left turn onto West Side Rd.;
mile 18.2 near bottom of hill hard left turn;
mile 28.6 busy 2 mile section of road, with wide shoulder;
mile 35.7 steep downhill and hard right turn into forest trail.
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# Notes

* Seasonal closure/ best time of year to do the ride: Route is good except when there is significant snow on Mt. Wachusett (Late November - March). A section of the route crosses the ski slopes, so you can't ride it when the area is open, and before and after the season you will have to hike over snow in the section.
* Recommended equipment & attire: Can be ridden on a gravel bike with tires at least 32mm. Could also be ridden on a mountain bike, but would slow you down on road sections.
* Required fitness level to enjoy route: Good fitness and moderate bike handling skills. Has steep climbs on dirt roads and abandoned roads. Not a beginner route.
* Water, food, and other services availability: Limited food and water on the route, but easy to slightly rerout in the middle of the ride to get to nearby stores or take-out. At mile 30.3 if you continue on for an additional mile there are convenience stores.  No bike repair stores.

Around Mt. Wachusett All-roads Circuit

Route Overview

Route Details

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