19Oct 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Jacobs Pond / Norwell

The Jacobs Pond conservation area consists of about 260 acres of land in Norwell. The pond itself consists of about 60 acres of man-made pond and 200 acres of land.The Jacobs Farm (house, barn, hayfields) are owned and protected by the town of Norwell. The pond is incredibly picturesque - especially for an autumn visit. You may even get lucky enough to see a few turtles peek out and say hello. The original pond was named Snapper Pond which in local Native American translated to "rocky water". Some rocks are easily visible from the shore. Why visit? Well, you can do just about everything here that isn't motorized. Fishing, kayaking, cross-country skiing, and all ice related activities (fishing, boating, skating) are permitted. The network of trails lends itself to good walks...

17Oct 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Whitney Thayer Woods / Cohasset

Cohasset, Trail, Trustees of the Reservation

Whitney Thayer Woods is an 824 acre Trustees property located in Cohasset along 3A. The trail network consists of approximately 10 miles of trails through hardwood forests - some of which lead to more forests and others of which lead to incredible views of open fields or the Boston skyline. What makes this property unique are the extensive number of giant boulders left by the prior Ice Age. Some of these are small enough for kids to climb on and others might be 20 feet high. Why visit? Unlike many other trails, this Trustees property has a sizable parking lot suitable for a large group walks or just never worrying about whether you'll find a spot. The property is so vast that you could explore for hours and only see one...

09Oct 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Bare Cove Park / Hingham

Hingham, Trail

Bare Cove Park consists of 484 acres along the Weymouth Back River in Hingham. The park is a hidden gem for South Shore residents. The park has been designated as a wildlife sanctuary and offers diverse habits for plant and animal life. Park signage helps to educate users about the variety of owls, deer, and other wild animals that share the space. The variety of trails can make every visit to Bare Cove Park different from the prior one. The combination of paved and dirt trails make it perfect for just about everyone. You'll see other guests enjoying jogging, hiking, biking ... or just out with the family dog and stroller. In 2017, changes were made to allow some off-leash dog areas. There is a special map and signage to...

05Oct 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Newsletter #9

Newsletter

Welcome to Fall! We are a few weeks into the season at this point ... but still savoring some amazing warm weather. It feels like the best of both worlds. Our community has grown so much over the past few months and we are beyond excited about it! Curious what other people are reading? Here are the top 5 posts for the past two months: Minot Kayak Ramp // Scituate Rexhame Beach // Marshfield Our Favorite Trail Snacks Driftway Rail bed Trail // Scituate Our Trail Essentials Do you have a favorite trail that others should know about? Chime in on Facebook and we'll get a trail review post up. Enjoy your fresh air and fun adventures! New Site Feature! We added a great new chat feature to the site!...

30Sep 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

3rd Cliff aka “The Spit” / Scituate

Scituate, Trail

Why to visit: The boardwalk to the Spit is one of the most photographed views in Scituate after the Lighthouse - or that is what social media would lead us to think. The walk out to the beach from Third Cliff is fairly short but incredibly beautiful. Regardless of the weather or season, the marsh and boardwalk are very picturesque. While we think this spot is beautiful all year long, you'll find the Spit Boardwalk most picturesque during the golden photography hours (before mid-morning or late afternoon). Additionally, parts of the boardwalk might be flooded depending on the tide. Caution: There is no legal parking option located directly near the trail entrance. The closest public town parking option is about 1.4 miles away at the AJ Memorial Trail. Trail Details: The...

29Sep 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Driftway Old Colony Rail Bed Trail / Scituate

Scituate, Trail

Why to visit: One of the most picturesque trails in Scituate is the smallest. The old rail trail can be found along the marsh in Scituate's Driftway area. The Driftway area of Scituate includes some beautiful marsh views. Despite being located near a busy road, you'll feel like you were transported to a place far more remote. The AJ Memorial trail is another great option located just down the road. If you only have 15 minutes and just need some fresh air, this rail trail is perfect for you. Enjoy your time on this historically relevant town trail! Trail Details: The trail is just under 1/2 mile long and runs from the small parking lot into the marsh and North River. The environment is perfectly suited for families with...

02Aug 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Minot Kayak Ramp / Scituate

Scituate, Trail

The Minot Kayak Ramp is a great access point for those looking to explore the North Scituate marshes, Bassing Beach or Cohasset Harbor area. The ramp was formally constructed as part of an Eagle Scout project in 2015-2016 by a Scituate resident. The project went through the formal town processes and has been an incredibly popular kayak ramp ever since. You are almost guaranteed to see another person out of the marsh during your visit - but don't worry, it's not too crowded. In the map below, we've highlighted a route that will take you to Cohasset's Bassing Beach. All you have to do is follow the main path of the marsh and you'll make it there in just over 1 mile. Bassing Beach is a beautifully quiet spot to...

21Jul 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Newsletter #8

Newsletter

Summer is here! Is everyone having an incredible summer? We certainly are. We can't get enough of the great outdoors... despite this muggy heat recently. In honor of such an occasion, we wanted to highlight some great trails that we think hit the spot for a nice Summer day. Hot tip for staying cool? Try to get your activity in early in the day. Not only will you have the place to yourself (most likely) but you'll also beat the heat. Win win. But whether you are enjoying one of our spotlight trails or unique events ... be sure to keep tick safety and trail essentials in mind! Enjoy your fresh air and fun adventures! P.S. Have you seen the story about this guy who found a 200 year old...

21Jul 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

North River Audubon / Marshfield

Audubon Society, Marshfield, Trail

The North River Wildlife Sanctuary is a 225-acre property located just over the North River into Marshfield. It is an incredibly unique site that covers the bases for all types of visitors regardless of age. The only catch? You have to leave your dog at home. The biggest selling point will vary depending on the visitor. People that love a great view will enjoy the dock overlooking the North River with sweeping views of Scituate, Marshfield, and the river. Bird watchers will be greeted with the opportunity to spy on several of their winged friends - including an occupied Osprey nest in the main field. Families are also very much at home during a visit. All of the trails are in great condition for a variety of abilities. While it...

30Jun 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Sumner Smith Overlook / Cohasset

Cohasset, Cohasset Conservation Trust, Trail

Sumner Smith Overlook is a very small trail with an incredible view. Located on Cohasset Harbor, the overlook gives you a beautiful view of Cohasset and parts of Scituate. The piece of land is located along Border Street near the Cohasset Sailing Club, town pier, and the Cohasset Lighthouse Keepers house. While there is no true parking assigned to this location, you can often get away with a few minutes either at the town pier or the lot associated with the lighthouse keepers house. There is also some public parking along Border Street which would require a very short walk back to the trail and overlook. The trail itself is located along the big rock and wooded area to the left of the house. While the path is well-maintained, there...