Over the past several months, many people have enjoyed hiking the nine trails of the Mendon Hike Challenge. Not only have Mendon residents completed the challenge, but people from Upton, Millbury, Blackstone, Uxbridge, Whitinsville and as far away as Somerset and Harrisville, R.I., have also finished all the hikes. Also, people from Grafton, Milford, Bellingham, and Pawtucket, R.I. have registered to do the challenge.  

To date, 26 people (and one dog) have completed the challenge and have received a patch and sticker to mark their achievement.

Originally, the challenge was set to end in May 2024, but because of the widespread interest, the challenge in now on-going with no ending date. This allows people to complete the challenge at their own rate. All the trails are marked with black and white arrows with the number of the trail written on them and are easy to follow.

Hikers between the ages of 3 and 80 have enjoyed these trails. One participant explained, “The refreshing beauty of our local natural world was abundantly displayed on all the hikes, and I look forward to visiting these spots in the future to appreciate how they change in different seasons.” 

Another hiker wrote, “The Mendon Hike Challenge signage gave me the confidence to explore new trails that I wasn’t familiarwith without the fear of getting too lost in the woods.” Still another hiker commented,” My family and I love the outdoors and all that nature has to offer. The streams and little waterfalls in the woods were like the icing on the cake. Just so wonderful!”

To participate in the challenge, sign up online at mendonma.gov/hike-challenge or pick up a packet at the Mendon Town Clerk’s office at 20 Main St., Mendon. Sign a Release Form through registering at the website or dropping one off to the Mendon Town Clerk’s office. All trail maps and trail descriptions are available online or at the Town Clerk’s office. Each hiker should fill out the MHC log as you enjoy the trails. 

When completed, write a short paragraph about your favorite hike (on the back of the log). Once all the trails are completed, submit your MHC log to the website or drop it off at the Town Clerk’s office. Once your application is reviewed, a patch and/or sticker will be mailed to you.

Anne Mazar, chairperson of the Mendon Land Use Committee, is enthused about the interest in the Hike Challenge. She commented,” I think it is a wonderful way to get people on the trails and hopefully want to conserve land and understand the value of open space.” 

If you have any comments or suggestions about the trails as you are hiking, please email them to the Land Use Committee at [email protected].