16Mar 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

North Hill Marsh / Duxbury

North Hill Marsh can best be described as a wildlife sanctuary within a town forest - and that is literally what it is. The 130+ acres Audubon property is situated within the Duxbury Eastern Greenbelt. The Greenbelt consists of approximately 1,000 acres of contiguous open space - so a true refuge from the hustle and bustle of life. The area is marked by oak and pine woodlands, cranberry bogs, and a 90-acre pond. TRAILS: The trails are well maintained but can vary wildly in terms of terrain and width. There is probably a decent path suitable for strollers however this location is really suited to those not worried about accessibility. Some of the trails we have been on are very narrow and surrounded by pine trees - and others loop around...

14Mar 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Newsletter #1

Newsletter

Is Spring Ever Coming? We are almost half way through the month of March - and the weather can't seem to make up it's mind. One day it is 60 and then the next day we have blizzard warnings. Thankfully, our beautiful South Shore looks amazing regardless of the weather! We've used all these recent snowy and blustery days to add content on SouthShoreTrails.com. What started as a simple listing of 40+ trails has grown to over 90 trails with improved content. We are hyper passionate about fresh air, fun, and easy adventures. Did you know there is a skating pond in the Cohasset woods, that cattails grow faster than corn, or wonder why Norris Reservation is super popular? Here's what you can expect from this newsletter: Approximately every...

09Mar 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

AJ Mceachern Memorial Trail / Scituate

Scituate, Trail

AJ McEachern Memorial Trail is a wonderful spot located on the marsh in Scituate. It is perfect for all ages and offers some of the most beautiful and unique views of Scituate's Landscape. This particular spot is most popular with dog owners, kayakers, and photographers. The parking lot provides the perfect place to launch kayaks on the North River. Even if you aren't interested in a walk, the piers and benches provide a great place to just watch the sunset or enjoy your coffee. You can see Scituate's history through old pier pilings that protrude from the water. TRAILS: The trails are very well maintained, level, and wide in most parts.While the trail network is not officially mapped, you will have no problem getting around. While there are a few...

05Mar 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Two Mile Farm & Jose Carreiro Woods / Marshfield

Marshfield, Trail, Trustees of the Reservation

Two Mile Farm and Jose Carreiro Woods are two conservation sites directly next to each other in Marshfield off Union Street. While Two Mile Farm is a Trustees of the Reservation site, the Carreiro Woods are affiliated with the town of Marshfield. Although the Union Street entrance is easy to miss, this location is a great place to visit with a dog, friends or by yourself. When you combine the two trail networks, you can customize a walk ranging 1/2 mile to 2 miles. TRAILS: The trails are very well maintained and wide in most parts. The town of Marshfield has undergone an ambitious effort to document trail difficulty that is reflected in the map shown below. While some parts of the trail system are steep, much of the paths have a...

05Mar 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Canoe Club Preserve / Pembroke

Pembroke, Trail, Wildlands Trust

Canoe Club Preserve is a quick half mile loop trail located right off Rt 139 in Pembroke. The trail is a perfect addition to a weekend or weekday as it is probably right near all your errands or commute. The trail entrance is perhaps a bit concealed. The trail entrance is located behind Pembroke Pointe (home to Orta) and you'll see a sign designating parking and a trail entrance on the side of the parking lot. TRAILS: The paths are not specifically marked however you can't miss it. The trail is only a half mile loop and about 75% of it is on a boardwalk. The portion that is not on a boardwalk is fairly uneven with tree roots and rocks - however not unsafe. It might present a challenge for a...

05Mar 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Great Brewster Woods / Cohasset

Cohasset, Cohasset Conservation Trust, Trail

Great Brewster Trail is a hidden gem located right near Cohasset Center. The trail entrance is perhaps a bit concealed which is why I have overlooked the signs for years. The trail is a phenomenal resource and such a great addition to our South Shore trail network. TRAILS: The paths are very well marked and clear of brush and tree branches. Along the path there are markers calling out certain tree species and other landmarks. The Cohasset Conservation Trust has put together an informative trail guide which is absolutely worth printing out prior to your visit. The loop trail is just over 1 mile long. POINTS OF INTEREST: Great Brewster Woods is a typical New England and South Shore site including historic stone walls, large amounts of ledge outcroppings, and streams. The trail guide...

26Feb 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Cuffee Conservation / Norwell

Norwell, Trail

The Cuffee conservation area is a really unique spot near the Norwell and Scituate town lines. Like many area trails, there are some beautiful stone walls the criss-cross the woods. Despite one of the largest conservation areas in Norwell, the site feels largely undisturbed by visitors. Upon my first visit, I was almost frustrated by the lack of trail markings but it turns out they are really just faded and slightly inconsistent. The trails themselves feel safe and well cleared. How did Cuffee get it's name? Well it goes way back. The best description comes from the Norwell Historical Society president - "Cuffee was a slave owned by Joseph Clapp of Mount Blue Street. He married Flora, a former slave of Thomas Clapp, in 1740 in (what is now) First Parish Church...

26Feb 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Nelson Memorial Forest / Marshfield

Marshfield, Trail

Why to visit: Nelson Memorial Forest is a bit of a hidden gem for visitors - in part because the actual signage for the Forest is not at the roadside. The true forest boundary is located about ten minutes of walking from the parking lot on Union Street in Marshfield. While I've been to this property a handful of times now, I know that I have barely scratched the surface. There is a very well established trail network. Each time I've visited I have taken the standard route of going directly to the North River. The Nelson Memorial Forest is unique in that it is actually managed by the New England Forestry Foundation. At a super high level, their mission is to manage a healthy forest by responsibly tracking tree growth and...

26Feb 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Norris Reservation / Norwell

Norwell, Trail, Trustees of the Reservation

Norris Reservation is one of the most popular trails on the South Shore. The parking lot is consistently full nearly every weekend day - and frequently on week days as well. Why are all these visitors flocking to Norris? Because it is right at the sweet spot for being approachable and interesting. Norris Reservation is ideal for a solo walk with a podcast, two friends looking to catch-up, or a family getting some fresh air after work. Norris covers 129 acres near Norwell center - but the gentle nesting of trails provides enough options for every one who visits. Even with a full parking lot, you can have the trail to yourself for a good stretch of time. By following the trail map, a visitor can sketch out a quick 30...

26Feb 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary / Marshfield

Audubon Society, Marshfield, Trail

Why to visit:When I pulled into the Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary parking lot, I was one of two cars and knew that I pretty much had the place to myself. The sanctuary is a big piece of land that feels a lifetime away from the rest of the world. I can't wait to see how it looks in all four seasons... and in between. The paths are big and wide. There are views of marsh and rivers. But I was most captivated by the boardwalks and the trees. I mean, super breathtaking. Two real killer moments? There was this particular point where you cross the river on a bridge. The water was so smooth and flat - and the lighting was just so perfect - that it was honestly hard...