Go Take a Hike!

On the April 25th segment of WJAR TV’s “Studio 10” program I shared some of my favorite hiking spots in southern New England. (Link to the interview). Below you’ll find more information and some photos of those places, as well as some other favorite places that I enjoy escaping to.

No, I’m not telling you, my loyal readers, to go away; however, I am recommending that you take some time to get lost – in nature. Go for a hike!  I’m not talking about a forced death march up and down some mountain trail, gasping for oxygen and being chased my bears, but if that’s your thing, go for it! If you aren’t an adrenaline junkie, just an hour or two walking at a comfortable pace in a natural setting every few days can do wonders for your health and peace of mind. Admittedly there are many days when from the comfort of my recliner the idea of taking a walk is not anywhere close to the top of my to-do list, but usually my inner parent “makes me” go and without exception, once I get out on a quiet trail in a rural setting for a couple of hours, I never regret it.

Since moving back to southern New England, I’ve been impressed by the sheer number of state and local parks, wildlife conservation areas, and land trusts that provide a multitude of opportunities to hike in some stunning surroundings, far from the chaos of the city. In this post I’ll share some of my favorite spots within a 100-mile radius or so, but I assure you that no matter where you live, a quick Google search for “hiking areas near me” will reward you with a number of interesting possibilities. Also, for those of you who, like me, live in an area with four distinct seasons, don’t let the colder weather deter you. While fall in New England is by far the most spectacular time of year to be out in nature, some of my most magical hikes have been through snowy forests where deep green holly bushes adorned with dozens of red berries are dusted in a perfect Hallmark greeting card frosting of white. There’s also something uniquely beautiful about a winter hike, when the leaves have fallen and you can fully appreciate the twisted patterns of the bare tree branches against a blue sky. Just bundle up and when you’re done with the hike, Google search “best hot chocolate near me” and you’ll have a perfect end to your day. Another plus about being out at this time of year is that although you won’t see the wildflowers and lush greens of summer, you also won’t be eaten alive by those pesky little vampires we call mosquitoes.

Southeastern Massachusetts

Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary – Operated by the Mass Audubon Society, Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary is a very diverse expanse with 7 miles of trails located in the towns of Dartmouth and Westport. There are three separate entrances: one on Allens Neck Road, the Stone Barn Farm Entrance off of East Horseneck Road, and the Field Station Entrance on Horseneck Road. Trails pass through dense woodlands, wind around enormous boulders, cross grasslands and salt marshes, and eventually lead to the rocky and rugged shoreline of Buzzard’s Bay. While it’s probably best to explore each of the three sections separately, if you’re an intrepid hiker, it’s possible to consult the trail maps and do one very long hike from the forests, through the grasslands, to the beach and back.

Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust, Massachusetts

Dartmouth is a town adjacent to the city of New Bedford on Massachusetts’ south coast and while it has many built-up commercial areas, it also offers some of the most beautiful spots for a quiet, non-strenuous hiking experience. Some of my favorite haunts are described below. All of these sites are within an 8 to 10 mile radius of one another, yet each is rather distinct from the others and has something unique to offer.

Destruction Brook Woods – Miles of heavily wooded trails traverse this large DNRT reserve, with access from either Fisher Road or Slade’s Corner Road near Dartmouth’s Russells Mills Village. Destruction Brook runs through the middle of the area and there are several places where hikers can cross from one side to the other. This is one of my favorite places to spend an hour or two and is beautiful across the seasons. Before or after your hike, enjoy breakfast or lunch at the nearby Davoll’s General Store in the village.

Slocum’s River Reserve – Just a few miles from Destruction Brook along Horseneck Road is Slocum’s River Reserve, another DNRT property featuring a variety of settings ranging from woodlands, to patches of wildflowers, and open meadows, almost always in sight of the Slocum River and the abundant water fowl populations that frequent the area.

Smith Farm & Little River Reserve/Cornell Farms – These two DNRT properties are located only a half a mile apart on opposite sides of Smith Neck Road and each one provides a combination of wooded trails and access to some of the area’s salt marshes. Trails at Smith Ranch lead through forests to an elevated platform from which one can view the Nonquit Marsh. Trails at Cornell Farm also traverse wooded areas until eventually connecting to a series of wooden boardwalks that allow hikers to cross the salt marshes and observe the many species of birds that make the marsh their home from some well-placed benches. The trails then continue into the DNRT’s Little River Reserve.

Rhode Island

Simmons Mill Pond Management Area  – The centerpiece of this wilderness area is Simmons Pond, but several other smaller ponds and miles of well-maintained trails through forests and old farmland make this a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. The main entrance and parking area is on Coldbrook Road, with a smaller parking area along John Dyer Road in the beautiful community of Little Compton.

Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Sanctuary – This beautiful property is managed by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, but is technically located on Brown Avenue in Seekonk, Massachusetts right along the border between the two states. Several miles of trails lead through meadows and woodlands, across creeks and around small ponds.

Central Massachusetts

Betty’s Neck Lakeville Conservation Park – Located in the small town of Lakeville, Massachusetts, this somewhat hard-to-find hiking area is accessible off Long Point Road and then down a ridiculously pot-holed cranberry bog access road. Eventually you will find a small parking lot from which you can strike out across beautiful sunny fields and through hilly wooded trails that provide views of Assawompset Pond.

 Myles Standish State Forest Carver, Massachusetts – This enormous state forest is not only home to almost 15 miles of hiking trails, but also offers swimming, camping and horseback riding. While it can be quite crowded in the summertime, I have had some quiet, beautiful walks in the snow here, as the photos below demonstrate.

Gertrude M. Boyden Wildlife Refuge – Just west of downtown Taunton, Massachusetts with a parking area off Cohannet Street, this park features a variety of winding trails that parallel the Three Mile River, providing several opportunities for water views or direct access to the river and the beautiful marshland along its banks.

F. Gilbert Hills State Forest – Located in Foxborough, Massachusetts not far from Gillette Stadium, home to the New England Patriots football team, F. Gilbert Hills State Forest is a quiet oasis that seems a million miles away from busy Route 1 and Interstate 95. Lots of interesting rock formations, small creeks, and hilly terrain that is just enough to get the blood pumping and make you feel you’ve had a bit of a workout.

Gardner Hill Conservation Area – Located in the town of Stow, Massachusetts thirty miles west of Boston and ten miles west of historic Concord, this area borders the Assabet River and is criss-crossed by numerous winding and hilly trails, some leading to views of the river. This is simply a stunning area to visit during the fall foliage season in particular.

Southern New Hampshire

Northern Rail Trail

The Northern Rail Trail consists of an almost 60 mile long network of walking paths in south-central New Hampshire between the towns of Lebanon and Boscawen that was formerly the owned by the . Boston and Maine Railroad. I had the good fortune to hike a section of the trail beginning at the Keniston Covered Bridge near the town of Andover in mid-October and was mesmerized as I walked through a veritable tunnel of orange foliage.

Maine

Marginal Way – If you want to combine a walk through New Hampshire’s foliage with a refreshing stroll along the edge of the Atlantic, head for the resort town of Ogunquit, Maine. The Marginal Way is a popular, 1.5 mile cliff walk that leads from the village’s Shore Drive to Perkins Cove, a charming area where you can dine on the best clam chowder and a fresh lobster roll at The Lobster Shack, and them grab a homemade ice cream at Barnacle Billy’s take-out window nearby. While you might have to fight crowds for parking and a seat on one of the trail’s many benches overlooking the ocean in July and August, and off-season visit will allow you to quietly commune with the restless Atlantic.

What about you? If you have a favorite place to walk or hike in your part of the world, please share it with us in the comments section below. I never know where I might end up next and I’m always looking for the next beautiful place to hike!