25Feb 2018 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Wharf Creek / Marshfield

Wharf Creek is a Marshfield town trail located off RT 139 / Careswell Road along the Green Harbor. The trail is nearly entirely in wetlands which can make for a damp hike. The best time to visit would be when it has not rained for a few days. There are two entrances to Wharf Creek. The first is located across from Coffee Shack donuts on RT 139 / Careswell Road. The second is off Calypso Lane. This second entrance is in a very residential neighborhood so parking is not especially obvious. Given this is a town trail and the primary signage is at the Calypso entrance, we think it is probably okay to park here for a quick hike. Alternatively, a visitor could park at Coffee Shack and treat yourself...

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...

26Dec 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Cornhill Woodland / Marshfield

Marshfield, Trail

Cornhill Woodlands is a 123 acre preserve located in Marshfield along Union Street. The parcel features a trail system that weaves through the forest and ultimately to a flat marsh area. The nest of trails lead visitors through a deep, mature forest crisscrossed by historic stone walls. One of our particular favorites was coming across an old stone well in the middle of the forest. The trail network is accessible via a few access points but the best is on Union Street. As noted on the Marshfield trail maps, the paths are not very wide and as a result they can be a bit overgrown during high-growth periods. The trails also cross through some significant wetland areas but thanks to raised boardwalks visitors can still enjoy themselves and keep their...

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...

22Jun 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Rexhame Beach / Marshfield

Marshfield, Trail

Rexhame Beach is a unique town trail - and perfect all year round. While our initial visit was in the blustery Winter months, the idea of taking a summer stroll along the marsh sounds pretty perfect to us. Rexhame Beach is located in Marshfield and abuts the Humarock section of Scituate. Like nearly all the town trails in Marshfield, dogs are welcome at Rexhame! There are many benches along the back marsh area that have been donated by the Marshfield Canine Club. During the off-season month's you can visit this area for free, but there is a fee for parking during the peak Summer season. Non-residents can buy a day pass for $15-20. After 5 pm, the fee is only $5 - and you'll get to enjoy a picture perfect...

09Apr 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Keville Footbridge & Pratt Trails / Marshfield

Marshfield, Trail

The combination of the Bridle Rail trail and Pratt provides visitors a 2 mile walk with many unique features. I can imagine this being an ideal for families since the terrain is largely very flat but with many things to keep little kids entertained. The Bridle Trail is actually many miles long as it stretches through Marshfield so this is only a very small piece of it. The Pratt trails are built around the Zena Brook, which flows through the 37-acre Pratt property. In 2017, many of these footbridges were restored to increase accessibility to the area. Residents voted to acquire the Pratt property at special Town Meeting in 2012. Additional plans are in place for the Pratt property itself which includes a beautiful but decaying home. TRAILS: As reflected...

26Mar 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

John Little Conservation / Marshfield

Marshfield, Trail

John Little Conservation Area is a 25 acre section of land along the North River in Marshfield. The property offers visitors a variety of experiences from pasture to forest to marshland. The most picturesque part of the property is a long pier that leads to the North River. There is a dock that enables boaters to tie up for a brief respite and enjoy the view. One of the best smaller trails in Marshfield! TRAILS: As reflected in the map, the main trail is essentially an out and back to the river - with an optional small loop on the way. If you don't do the loop, it's 1.1 miles out to the river. The beginning portion in the field consists of nice terrain but after that the trail becomes a little...

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...

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

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...