Gather all the items you'll need for your trip. Visit a hiking specialty store and ask the clerks if they've hiked any of the trails at Wachusetts Mountain. These clerks will give you tips on which trails to choose and the specifics on the equipment you will buy.
Check the weather and hiking conditions on any online weather site such as Weather Underground, MSN or Google. Next, take a look at the hiking conditions at New England Trail Conditions. This website will tell you the hiking terrain, what to expect as far as incline, and what condition the trail is in. The site also reports on maintenance schedules and potential landslide concerns.
Map out a trail. Wachusett offers over 17 miles of trails. Choose the trail based on difficulty and location. The mountain has many easy walks, easy for the beginner. Intermediate hikers should choose trails with a moderate incline and a distance under four miles. Experienced hikers can choose a trail that meets their needs based on time and incline. Download a map at the Wachusett Mountain's website.
Go at your own pace. While you may want to push yourself on a hike to improve your hike time or to keep pace with others, try go slow. Experienced hikers know to start out slow and push themselves toward the end of a trail, so they don't hurt themselves on the mountain. Beginner hikers should stay on the easier trails and family areas of the park.
Bring plenty of water on a hike, and stop and take a sip every 15 minutes to stay hydrated. Wachusetts Mountain offers public drinking fountains in picnic and parking lot areas; however, they do not offer drinking fountains on trails.
Rest when you feel tired. Some trails, such as Wachusett Mountain trail, are relatively short at three miles, but the trail takes about 150 minutes to finish. Don't overexert yourself during the first half of the trail. Taking breaks will help conserve some of your energy.
