Cycling Wachusett Mountain North, Massachusetts.
Ride 3.6 miles gaining 1,156’ at 5.8% average grade.
There are two parts to this climb: (a) The first 1.4 miles on Mountain Road, which carry a moderate amount of traffic, and (b) the last 2.4 miles into Wachusett Mountain State Reservation along a great road with mild traffic and beautiful surroundings.
Wachusett Mountain North is the ninth hardest bike climb in Massachusetts.
“Wachusett Mountain is likely the most popular ascent of any meaningful length in Massachusetts as it lies quite close to the Boston metro area. It begins over solid grade and soon you enter woods. At mile 1.3, turn right into the State Reservation to continue. Here you encounter a flat/descent before climbing resumes over shallow and then variable grade. Soon the road becomes one way at a flat. The next section has more challenging pedaling along with a descent. Where the road comes back together, turn left to find steeper grade for the final pitch up to the summit where the climb soon ends at a small parking area.” (This quote is provided with the approval of John Summerson from his book The Complete Guide to Climbing (by Bike) in the Northeast, pg. 81.)
PJAMM Adventure App showing details at the beginning and finish of the climb.
The first 1.2 miles on Mountain Road.
The climb is just north of Princeton and the closest significant bike climb to Worcester (20 miles line of sight) and Boston (40 miles).
Wachusett Mountain Ski Area at 0.6 mile up Mountain Road from the start.
Skiing on the mountain dates back to the 1930s.
$5.00 to enter the Wachusett Mountain State Reservation as of October 2020.
We pass by ski slopes and under lifts on our way to the top.
Views along the climb between the entrance and the top.
Harlow Lookout is on the one way descent from the Summit (about a mile from the top).
On a clear day, you can see Boston from Harlow Lookout.
SUMMIT
Aerial views of the summit.
There is an observation tower at the summit.
There are information boards for each compass direction at the lower level of the tower. The boards show and name distant mountains and peaks. From this point, on a clear day you can see Mount Monadnock, Mount Greylock, southern Vermont, and on a good day, Boston.