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Crow Hill to Redemption Rock Hike

Quick Facts

  • Distance: 3.6 miles one way
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Allowed Uses: Hiking and bicycling (no motorized vehicles)

Trailhead

  • Ledges Parking Lot, Leominster State Forest Route 31, Princeton. 0.3 miles north of Rocky Pond Road. Google Map

Description

  • This hike follows the Midstate Trail through a mixed pine–hardwood forest with stands of mountain laurel. Expect rolling terrain, several viewpoints toward the east and toward Wachusett Mountain, and a total elevation gain of about 797 feet.

Helpful Links: • Redemption Rock History • Leominster State Forest Map

Route Details

1. Ledges Trail to Midstate Trail

  • From the parking lot, take the Ledges Trail (red blazes).
  • Follow signs to the right to reach the dramatic rock ledges.
  • Return to the main trail and continue south around the base of the ledges toward the picnic area.
  • This is where the Ledges Trail meets the Midstate Trail—a great spot to explore.
  • For an optional viewpoint, follow the Midstate Trail up onto the ledges for about 100 feet, then return to continue the hike.

2. Midstate Trail to Route 140

  • Turn left (south) onto the Midstate Trail (yellow triangular blazes).
  • The trail rolls over several hills with seasonal views both east and west.
  • You’ll pass through mixed forest with mountain laurel (spectacular in June).
  • Cross a small stream—this may be challenging in very wet conditions.
  • Continue along old stone walls.
  • Near Route 140, look for a short side path to a large glacial boulder.

3. Route 140 to Redemption Rock

  • Carefully cross Route 140 and continue on the Midstate Trail.
  • Arrive at Redemption Rock, a Trustees of Reservations site.
  • Read the historic inscription and visit the kiosk behind the rock. A QR code links to additional information.

Return Options

1. Option A: Out-and-Back

  • Retrace your steps along the Midstate Trail back to the Ledges parking area.

2. Option B: Loop Route (Trails + Quiet Roads)

  • From Redemption Rock, walk across the parking area to a small trail running south, parallel to Route 140.
  • After about 100 yards, cross Route 140 and pick up the trail at the end of the guardrail.
  • Follow this trail through the woods to a dirt road.
  • Turn right on the dirt road; it soon becomes Rocky Pond Road, a quiet residential street.
  • Follow Rocky Pond Road to Route 31.
  • Cross Route 31 to continue on Rocky Pond Road to a parking area leading back into Leominster State Forest.
  • From the parking area, take the Sawyer Run Trail, which parallels Route 31.
  • Turn left at the first junction to return to the Ledges parking lot.

Additional Options

Crow Hill Cliffs

  • At the intersection of the Ledges Trail and Midstate Trail, you are at the base of the Crow Hill cliffs. You may Walk along the base of the cliffs (impressive rock faces, winter icicles, and summer climbers).
    • Follow the yellow blazes up a steep, rocky slope to the top. This requires a short scramble.
    • At the top, continue a few hundred yards along the Midstate Trail to a rocky viewpoint overlooking Leominster State Forest, the Monoosnoc Range, Crow Hill, and Paradise Ponds.
    • You can either continue along the top of the cliffs and descend using the Crow HIll Trail, or reverse direction and return via the Midstate Trail.

Wachusett Pond Spur

Behind Redemption Rock, a small trail heads northwest about 0.5 miles to Wachusett Pond, the former site of Everettville, a stop on the Underground Railroad. A burial crypt is visible shortly after crossing a small stream.

Historical Notes

Redemption Rock is a significant colonial-era site. In 1676, during King Philip’s War, negotiations for the release of Mary Rowlandson from her Native American captors took place on this granite ledge.

Map

 

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