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Tucker Hill Loop

Blue Hills Trails

A rolling green dot loop around the base of Tucker Hill and along an old carriage road from Houghton’s Pond.

Fall color in the Blue Hills

The Tucker Hill loop is a rolling green dot walk around the base of Tucker Hill and along an old carriage road, starting from Houghton’s Pond. DCR also calls this route the Dark Hollow Loop.

DistanceAbout 2 to 2.9 miles
TimeAbout 1.5 hours
DifficultyModerate, rolling
StartHoughton’s Pond kiosk, 840 Hillside St, Milton

Trailhead parking

Directions to Houghton’s Pond →

The route

  1. Start at the Houghton’s Pond kiosk, 840 Hillside Street, Milton.
  2. Follow the green dots into the woods and around the base of Tucker Hill.
  3. Part of the loop follows an old carriage road.
  4. Stay on the green dots to return to Houghton’s Pond.
Make it a climb. Where the green dots meet the blue rectangles of the Skyline Trail, you can turn uphill over Tucker Hill. The Buck Hill Loop does exactly that.

Before you go

  • If you get lost or hurt, call 911. Give the dispatcher the four-digit number on the nearest intersection post. Those numbers match the DCR map and help responders find you. For non-emergency park concerns, DCR’s 24-hour dispatch is (508) 820-1428.
  • Before you go, share your phone’s location with a friend, and tell someone your route and when you plan to be back.
  • Carry the DCR trail map. Many intersections have a white post with a four-digit number that matches the map.
  • Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, and dress for wind on the summits.
  • The reservation is open dawn to dusk. Dogs must be leashed. Carry out everything you bring in.
  • Timber rattlesnakes and copperheads live in the Blue Hills. They are shy. Stay on the trail and give them space.

Guided hikes

Add a guided summit hike

Our staff lead groups up Great Blue Hill, connecting the trail to the landscape, the climate record, and 141 years of daily observation. Every guided hike ends inside the Observatory.

Staff-led · By appointment, any day, year-round · Observatory tour included · From $250 per group, members save

See guided hikes

FAQ

How long is the Tucker Hill loop?

DCR lists it at 2 to 2.87 miles depending on the route, taking about 1.5 hours.

Is the Dark Hollow Loop the same trail?

DCR describes the Dark Hollow Loop as the green dot loop around the base of Tucker Hill from Houghton’s Pond.

Is it steep?

No. It is rolling, moderate terrain that stays around the base of the hill.

Trail details are based on the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s recommended color-coded hiking trails. Trails and markers change, so carry the DCR map and confirm conditions with DCR at 617-698-1802.

Then go higher

Great Blue Hill is the highest summit in the range, with the Observatory on top.

Plan your visit See the summit now