Although the South Shore might be best known for its beaches and coastal lifestyle, there is an abundance of Fall colors to be enjoyed with the return of Autumn. There is no reason to run North to Vermont and New Hampshire to take in the bright welcoming change of seasons. Whether you want to have a little quiet time or explore with family, we’ve selected 8 spots to enjoy the return of Fall. Grab a cider donut from Hornstra Farms and hit the trails! Family Friendly One of our favorite traditions is watching families and friends hike together. All of these trails come with good parking options. No unnecessary stress added! Turkey Hill - Cohasset // The top of Turkey Hill is one of the higher points on the South...
When the good weather returns to New England and the South Shore, we immediately want to be outside as much as possible. Let’s savor every single moment of the extra daylight, sun on our faces, and spring in our step. While we never leave home without a snack in our fanny pack, sometimes it is even more fun to bring along a picnic. Bonus? You get to sit and enjoy the view that much longer. The South Shore has some really beautiful spots so let’s settle down and enjoy them. Our Favorite Benches + Docks Driftway - Scituate // best sunset, dusk views. Perfect for taking your next family picture! There are two docks with seating. Norris Reservation - Norwell // views along the North River from a little hut. Also several benches scattered throughout the...
Just because it is Winter does not mean you have to stay indoors all day by the fire. There are plenty of great trails along the South Shore that make for wonderful snowy hikes and Winter adventures - especially when you are prepared for the elements! So stock up on the essentials and hit the trails. We've pulled together a list of great options for your Winter adventures. All of the trails we have noted include good parking - crucial in snowy weather! Grab your big boots, cross-country skis or snowshoes and hit the trails. Good, Easier Loops Turkey Hill - Hingham // Although this is a big property, there is a great loop right around the field at the top of the hill Bay Farm - Duxbury // great views of Kingston Bay, might even...
Brass Kettle Conservation trails are located off King Street in Cohasset. The land was officially acquired by the town of Cohasset in 2008 to complete the protection of Lily Pond, a primary town reservoir. The National Heritage and Endangered Species Program identifies the entire property and much of its surroundings area as core habitat for rare species. There are more than 70 species of trees and plants inhabiting this woodland as well as a wide variety of animals and birds including grouse, partridge and deer. These trails create an interesting network that starts at the parking area at the King Street trailhead, west to Wompatuck Park and then north to Whitney-Thayer Woods and Turkey Hill. The historic path, once called Great Lot Lane, linked Hingham and Cohasset and crosses two tributaries of Brass...
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...
Pape Reservation is a 10 acre piece of land located off 3A in Cohasset. The conservation area is accessible from the Cohasset Water Treatment Facility parking lot. This is a very basic trail but does include access to Lily Pond and some quiet moments in the woods. Like many Cohasset and South Shore trails, you can expect to see some significant rock formations and stone walls criss-crossing the forest. TRAILS: The trails at Pape Reservation are fairly wide and clear of brush. Largely the paths consist of even terrain - but there are some parts with significant rocks that would make using a stroller very challenging. At the time of our visit, we also noticed at least 3 trees that had fallen across the trails. Cohasset Conservation Trust normally maintains great...
Ingram Park in Cohasset is a trail system on just under 30 acres of historic farm land. The land is protected and managed by the Cohasset Conservation Trust which purchased the most recent 6 acres in 2014. Eagle Scouts from Cohasset Troop 28 have been working on the planned trail system. Depending on the time of your visit, you have a high probability of seeing some wildlife. Due to our winter visit, it was evident that deer are frequent guests and we happened to come across a large family of wild turkeys. TRAILS: The trail system is very clearly marked and the trail map is accurate. Each trail offers varying geographic elements. Despite the simple network of the trails, significant boulders, roots, and smaller rocks make these trails largely impassible for strollers. POINTS...
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...
Why to visit:There is a great network of trails called Wheelright Park that has been built out (and maybe maintained in part) by the Boy Scout troop in that town. When you visit, you'll find a heavily forested area that is teeming with birds and maybe other wildlife too. The park itself is really awesome. While the trails aren't incredibly well marked - they are in general pretty wide and the map is accurate. There was a side trail called the "Lemon Squeezer" that takes you off the main trail by a picturesque stream, old stone walls, and big holly trees. There was some historic fireplace that I passed by - like literally a fire place outside... not a fire pit. The most amazing part? In the middle of the woods there is...
