Hike For a Change 2026
- Date Sat 25th April 2026 - Sat 30th May 2026
- Time 10:00AM EDT
- Location Duxbury, Massachusetts
- Price Free
- Races 26 races
- Distances 10 Mile
Event summary
Get ready to lace up your hiking boots for the inspiring Hike For a Change 2026! This exciting event kicks off on Saturday, April 25th, 2026, in Duxbury, Plymouth, and runs through Saturday, May 30th, 2026. As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, participants will embark on a transformative 230-mile hike along the scenic Bay Circuit Trail, stretching from Kingston, MA to Plum Island, MA.
But that's not all! This year, the event expands its reach with additional hikes in vibrant locations such as Denver, CO, Charleston, SC, Peabody, MA, and Danvers, MA. Join the Dirty Hands Project in making a difference while exploring the great outdoors. This is more than just a hike; it's a chance to change your perspective, understanding, and approach to mental health. What will Hike For a Change mean for you? Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with nature and your community!
But that's not all! This year, the event expands its reach with additional hikes in vibrant locations such as Denver, CO, Charleston, SC, Peabody, MA, and Danvers, MA. Join the Dirty Hands Project in making a difference while exploring the great outdoors. This is more than just a hike; it's a chance to change your perspective, understanding, and approach to mental health. What will Hike For a Change mean for you? Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with nature and your community!
Organiser's Description
Please join Dirty Hands Project for the third Hike for a Change. This 230 mile hike, occurring throughout the month of May (Mental Health Awareness Month), will follow the Bay Circuit Trail from Kingston, MA to Plum Island, MA. This year will also feature hikes in Denver, CO, Charleston, SC, Peabody, MA, and Danvers, MA.
For us it means a change of: perspective, understanding, attitude, routine, approach, conversation...
What will it mean for you?
For us it means a change of: perspective, understanding, attitude, routine, approach, conversation...
What will it mean for you?
Races
-
Day 1: Duxbury (13 Miles)
Sat 25th April 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 02 FEB 26Join us as we kick off the 2026 Hike For a Change at the sourthern terminus of the Bay Circuit Trail along Kingston Bay in Duxbury. We will hike along the streets of Duxbury and through several of the towns' trails and forests. The hike will end at Pembroke High School in Pembroke. A long hike to kick off the Hike For a Change. -
Day 2: Pembroke (9.5 Miles)
Sun 26th April 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 02 FEB 26The hike begins at Tubbs Meadow in Pembroke, an area of old cranberry bogs and ponds. The trail continues through woods and backroads and passing along the Great Sandy Bottom Pond. We hike through the Pembroke Town Forest and walk along more cranberry bogs as we cross into the Town of Hanson. We will cruise through the Hanson Town Forest and make our way through the center of town ending the day at Memorial Field on Robinson Street in Hanson. It's a very scenic hike through some of the unique landscapes of the Bay Circuit Trail. -
Day 3: Hanson (7 Miles)
Mon 27th April 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 02 FEB 26The hike begins at Memorial Fields in Hudson and goes through the Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area. We will pass through cranberry bogs and wetlands as we make our way towards East Bridgewater. There is a long stretch of road walking before we enter the Satucket River Conservation Area. There are many sections of this hike that could be very muddy, under water, or impassable depending on the weather conditions. -
Day 4: West Bridgewater (10.25 Miles)
Tue 28th April 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 02 FEB 26This hike begins at Reynolds Landing, on Ash St, in West Bridgewater and end at the Wheaton Farm Community Gardens in Easton. It is a mix of road walking and trail walking with some time spent hiking through the Hockomock Swamp Wildlife Area. There is also a long stretch of the trail that follows massive utility lines and the terrain is made up of chunks of riprap rock, so solid footwear is a must! -
Day 5: Easton (7.5 Miles)
Wed 29th April 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 02 FEB 26A relatively quick hike as we start turning north along the Bay Circuit Trail. We begin at the Wheaton Farm Community Gardens and explore the trails of Easton including the Old Pond Property and Beaver Brook Woods. We conclude the hike at the Borderland State Park in Sharon. There is a $5 parking fee at Borderland State Park. A great hike to conclude the first five days of Hike For a Change 2025! -
Day 7: Sharon (10 Miles)
Tue 5th May 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 20 FEB 26We will start the hike at the beautiful Borderland State Park in Sharon. This is a great state forest to explore as we hike our way along the Bay Circuit Trail. We are leaving the wetlands and cranberry bogs of the South Shore behind as the terrain starts to become rocky and we start seeing some elevation changes. After leaving the state park, we hike along the shores of Massapoag Lake in Sharon and make our way towards the Moose Hill Sanctuary Center in Sharon. The final mile climb up the hill to the Sanctuary Center is steep, but worth the effort! -
Day 8: Walpole (8 Miles)
Wed 6th May 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 20 FEB 26We begin with a quick climb up Moose Hill in Sharon where we will have great views of the surrounding area from the Bluff Overlook. We hike through Sharon and into Walpole, crossing Route 1 and entering the Neponset River Water Conservation Project and end the hike at Clark's Pond on Stone St. There is a $5.00 parking fee at the Moose Hill Sanctuary Center in Sharon. Moose Hill Sanctuary Center is a MA Audubon property and dogs are not allowed. We will cross Route 1 at Pine Street in Walpole. -
Day 9: Walpole (12 Miles)
Thu 7th May 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 20 FEB 26We begin at Clark's Pond in Walpole and hike through Walpole Center and through 3 miles of the Walpole Town Forest. We then hike along backroads of Medfield which will bring us to two of the Trustees properties, Noon Hill and Shattuck Reservation. A big mileage day! -
Day 10: Sherborn (10 Miles)
Fri 8th May 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 20 FEB 26This is a great day of trail hiking. We start at the Trustees property, Rocky Narrows, in Sherborn, and will climb up to King Philips Overlook for a view of the beginning of the Charles River. From there we will hike along trails in the Sherborn Town Forest ending at the Barber Reservation. -
Day 11: Ashland (9 Miles)
Sat 9th May 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 20 FEB 26The first half of this hike features a mix of short wooded trails and short hikes through neighborhoods. We cross through Ashland center and hike through Mill Pond Park and through the vast Ashland Town Forest end the day at Crossing Blvd in Framingham. A great way to spend a Saturday! -
Day 12: Marlboro (9 Miles)
Sun 10th May 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 20 FEB 26The hike begins in Marlborough at Callahan State Park. We will make our way to the highest point of the BCT, Nobscot Hill, in Sudbury and end the hike at Tippling Rock in Sudbury. This hike is all trail hiking and features some amazing views of the Boston skyline. A great way to celebrate Mother's Day! The start of the hike is along a public water supply and dogs are not allowed. There is not a lot of parking so registration will be limited. -
Day 13: Weston (9.25 Miles)
Tue 12th May 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 20 FEB 26A personal favorite. A great hike starting at the Jericho Town Forest in Weston and hiking through Drumlin Farm in Lincoln. We hike through Lincoln center and end the day at the Walden Pond State Reservation in Concord. A very enjoyable hike through woodlands and farms. Drumlin Farm is a MA Audubon Property and dogs are not allowed. There is a $5.00 parking fee at Walden Pond. -
Day 14: Concord, Walden Pond (10 Miles)
Wed 13th May 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 20 FEB 26We begin at the famous Walden Pond State Reservation with a loop around Walden Pond before making our way through the historic town of Concord. From Concord we hike along an old railroad bed through the Great Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary and finish in Bedford Center. Dogs are not allowed at Walden State Reservation. There is a $5.00 parking fee at Walden State Reservation. -
Day 15: Concord, Minuteman National Park (10 Miles)
Thu 14th May 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 20 FEB 26The birthplace of the American Revolution! We start at the Minuteman National Park and pass over the Old North Bridge. There will be a bit of sidewalk and street walking as we make our way through Concord into Acton. We then hike around Spring Hill and end at the Nashoba Brook Conservation area in Acton. This hike will be muddy and buggy as we spend a lot of time hiking through wetlands. -
Day 16: Acton- UKG Day (8.5 Miles)
Fri 15th May 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 20 FEB 26Beginning at the Nara Park trailhead in Acton, we will follow the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail to UKG/Crosspoint Towers in Lowell. This is a beautifully maintained, paved, mostly flat, rail trail that extends from Concord to Lowell. Please note: this hike will be longer than last year! This is a great hike for anyone that prefers walking on sure-footed terrain! -
Day 17: Lowell (12 Miles)
Mon 18th May 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 20 FEB 26The hike in Lowell begins at the Concord River Greenway Park and passes by the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. We hike through several neighborhoods on our way to Tewksbury where we will hike along the Merrimack River into Andover. In Andover, we hike through some of the amazing AVIS properties and end the hike at Bald Hill. A long hike as we get closer to the finish line! -
Day 19: Andover, Bald Hill (8.5 Miles)
Tue 19th May 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 20 FEB 26Starting at Bald Hill in Andover, we will hike through a series of AVIS trails, streets of Andover, and through the Phillips Academy campus. We end the day at the Ward Reservation. There are a few steep hills to climb and portions of this hike could be buggy. Ward Reservation is a Trustees property and there is a $5.00 parking fee for non members. -
Day 20: Andover, Ward Reservation (7.5Miles)
Wed 20th May 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 20 FEB 26We will begin the hike at the Ward Reservation, a Trustees property, in Andover and hike through the Skugg River and Harold Parker Forest i and end at Berry St in North Andover. A great day to explore some great properties. Ward Reservation is a Trustees Property and there is a $5.00 parking fee for non-members. -
Day 21: North Andover- Afternoon Hike! (6.5 Miles)
Fri 22nd May 2026 (4:00PM EDT)
Free
OPENS 20 FEB 26A fun afternoon hike will be a great way to kick off Memorial Day weekend! We will begin at the Boxford State Forest in North Andover. We will explore this unique state forest that encompasses parts of Boxford, Middleton, and North Andover. We will hike through the Wunnegen Conservation Area and Lockwood Forest before completing our twilight hike at the Boy Scout Park in Boxford. -
Day 22: Boxford (5.75 Miles)
Sat 23rd May 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 20 FEB 26The shortest mileage day of the entire hike! A good hike for a Saturday morning. We begin at Boy Scout Park in Boxford and hike through Boxford Center and several neighborhoods on our way into the Georgetown/Rowley State Forest. A great hike for everyone, and even the dogs! -
Day 23: Georgetown (10 Miles)
Sun 24th May 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 20 FEB 26The hike will begin at the Georgetown/Rowley State Forest in Georgetown, MA. We will hike through the forest into Rowley and then through the Cleveland Farm Forest in Boxford. We enter the western side of Willowdale State Forest in Ipswich and hike east, crossing Route 1, and ending the hike at the Willowdale State Forest on Linebrook Road in Ipswich. A big trail hiking day! This route can be very wet, muddy, and buggy and there is potentially times we may have to detour. -
Day 24: Ipswich-Institution of Savings Day (10 Miles)
Wed 27th May 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 20 FEB 26We begin the hike at the beautiful Trustees property, Appleton Farm, in Ipswich and hike through the series of trails on that property ending up on the Pingree Reservation on Hamilton. From here we will hike through Bradley Palmer State Park and ending at the Willowdale State Forest on Linebrook Road in Ipswich. A long hike that has a little bit of everything- farms, forests, hills, and much more! Appleton Farm is a working farm and dogs are not allowed on property. There is also a $5.00 parking fee for non-Trustees members. -
Day 25: Newbury (7.5 Miles)
Fri 29th May 2026 (3:00PM EDT)
Free
OPENS 20 FEB 26The FINAL MILES! The hike will begin by hiking up Old Town Hill in Newbury with an amazing view of Plum Island Sound and the Seacost of New Hampshire. From here we will hike through the marsh and follow Hay Street to Tendercrop Farm crossing over Route 1A to the Spencer Pierce Little Farm. We will hike along the Plum Island Turnpike finishing the Hike For a Change at Plum Island center. Please join Dirty Hands Project for a post-hike celebration at the Sunset Club! Due to the limited amount of parking at Old Town Hill, we will be shuttling hikers from Plum Island to the start of the hike at Old Town Hill. Details will be emailed a week before the hike. -
DAY 6- DENVER, CO (7.25 Miles)
Sat 2nd May 2026 (9:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 02 FEB 26Following the Mount Falcon Castle Trail Loop, located adjacent to the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Co, we will hike up over 1,500 feet for a challenging day in Colorado. We will take the Turkey Trail going up and come down via the Castle Trail. Space is limited due to county restrictions. -
Day 18- North Charleston, SC (5.5 Miles)
Sat 16th May 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
Free
OPENS 02 FEB 26Join us we explore Wannamaker North Park in North Charleston, SC. This 5.5 mile trail is part of a beautiful network of trails that wind through pine and hardwood forests. A great hike to immerse yourself into the great outdoors! -
Day 26- Danvers, MA (6 Miles)
Sat 30th May 2026 (3:00PM EDT)
Free
OPENS 02 FEB 26An incredible experience to end the 2026 Hike For A Change! We will be transported from the Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School to the start of the Middleton Rail Trail. The hike will follow the rail trail back to Danvers where we will dedicate "Ty's Trail" on the grounds of the campus. Please join us for the "Finish Line" party at the Larkin Cottage at ENSATS immediately following the hike!
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Starting location varies by hike day. The first hike begins in, Duxbury, 02332, MA, United States
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Hike For a Change 2026
