22Apr 2018 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Tidmarsh / Plymouth

Tidmarsh Sanctuary is a 481-plus acre landscape in Plymouth. Once a working cranberry farm, this landscape underwent the largest freshwater ecological restoration ever completed in the Northeast. Its previous owners, the Schulman Family, along with the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, and many other organizations, re-created nearly three and a half miles of meandering stream channel, sculpted the land’s surface, and removed nine dams to reconnect the headwaters of Beaver Dam Brook to the ocean for the first time in more than a century. The restoration before and after images are absolutely worth checking out! As a result of the collective actions of the collaborators, this entire landscape is now on a dramatic trajectory of change—a spectacle that will play out for...

08Apr 2018 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Best Picnic Hikes on the South Shore

Audubon Society, Best Of, Cohasset Conservation Trust, NSWRA, Trail, Trustees of the Reservation, Wildlands Trust

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...

28Feb 2018 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Melzar Hatch Reservation / Hanover

Hanover, Trail, Wildlands Trust

Melzar Hatch is a 1.9 mile trail off Cedar Street in Hanover. The trail is known for cross-country running and is located near Hanover High School and Middle School. The trail is maintained by the Wildlands Trust. TRAIL NOTES: Colby Phillips trail is located across the street if you choose to extend your hike a little further. Property is approximately 40 acres Trail is known for being well suited to cross-country running Parking is available behind each of the three schools (Hanover High, Hanover Middle, Cedar School) LOCATION: Cedar Street Hanover, MA STROLLER SCORE: TBD LINKS: Trail Map

04Feb 2018 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Willow Brook / Pembroke

Pembroke, Trail, Wildlands Trust

Willow Brook Farm is a Wildlands Trust property located in Pembroke off Route 14. The property consists of 127 acres of unique landscape and just under 3 miles of trails. One of the best features of the property is the Tower located on the edge of a freshwater tidal marsh. The view from the top enables visitors to birdwatch and get a brand new perspective of the landscape. The area is extremely productive for wildlife and conserves an unusual freshwater tidal marsh, a habitat type of both state and global significance. Tidal fluctuations can be observed here, some 11 miles upstream from the Atlantic Ocean. Within the valley lies a wilderness of more than 2,000 acres, which is a headwater area of the North River, and critical to water quality...

14Jan 2018 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Jacobs Meadow / Hingham

Hingham, Hingham Land Trust, Trail

Jacobs Meadow consists of 50 acres of open fields and varied woodlands from Main Street to the Fulling Mill Brook, with trail access on weekends and after school behind the Wilder Memorial Building. The trail presents a serene opportunity that is very family friendly! The wide open fields are perfect for getting some fresh air. Each of the connecting fields within Jacobs Meadow takes visitors further away from the hustle and bustle of Rt 228 in Hingham. Helen Burns, a major donor to the town, gave 30 acres to the HLCT and 8 acres to the HCC. The northern 10 acres were purchased by the Commission from abutters an the access to Main Street was donated by the Goodlatte family along with an easement given by Wilder Memorial. Two lots...

09Jan 2018 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Best Snow Hikes on the South Shore

Audubon Society, Best Of, Cohasset Conservation Trust, Trail, Trustees of the Reservation, Uncategorized

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...

27Dec 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Phillips Farm / Marshfield

Marshfield, Trail, Wildlands Trust

Philips Farm Preserve is a Wildlands Trust property located in Marshfield. The preserve is located in an area of Marshfield rich with conservation sites including some connected to Philips. The original Philips Farm was owned by the Philips family for over 150 years. This particular preserve consists of 40 acres that were secured in 1999. Without Phillips Farm, four other properties — Cornhill Woodland, Union Street Woodland, Tilden Farm, and Nelson Memorial Forest — could not have been linked by trail. The preserve was purchased with the support of residents who value the historic country vistas, farm meadows, and historic, classic farmhouses and stone walls. Some nature tips from the Wildlands Trust: Listen for scarlet tanagers, hermit thrushes, red-eyed vireos, blue-gray gnatcatchers, eastern wood peewees, and other forest interior birds. As...

24Nov 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Brass Kettle / Cohasset

Cohasset, Cohasset Conservation Trust, Trail

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...

23Oct 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Turkey Hill / Hingham

Cohasset, Hingham, Trail, Trustees of the Reservation

Turkey Hill is a 62 acre piece of land that is managed by the Trustees of the Reservation in partnership with the Towns of Cohasset and Hingham. Turkey Hill abuts the Whitney-Thayer Woods, Wompatuck Park, and Weir River Farm. This section of the South Shore is incredibly rich with conservation land - and the opportunity to explore it. There are two direct access points to the Turkey Hill portion. The entrance on Route 3A brings visitors up through wooden paths to the base of the field. The entrance from Turkey Hill Lane in Hingham starts visitors at the highest point of the property. The 187-foot summit provides incredible views of the Boston Skyline, the Harbor, Hull and Scituate in the distance as well. A cinderblock NIKE building is all that remains...

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...