8 Beautiful Hiking Areas Near Boston
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5. Great Neck Wildlife Sanctuary
Great Neck, a little known gem in Plymouth County, is worthy of a visit anytime of the year. 4 miles of pine forest trails offer the perfect tranquil setting for a hike. Trails are quiet, scenic, and filled with wildlife (the habitat provides a home to several rare species including the great horned owl). If you are a birdwatcher, definitely put a spring visit on your bucket list.
Take a break and enjoy views via the beautiful marsh at the end of the trail before completing the return route. This is one of the few area hikes that is still incredibly scenic, even during the barren winter season. In fact, I actually prefer hiking here during the cold months (I’ve never seen anyone else around). This is the type of place you can really decompress and get back to nature thanks to the low traffic, easy hiking, and gorgeous surroundings. Definitely carve out an hour or 2 if you are anywhere near the Wareham region.
6. Massasoit State Park
Southeastern Massachusetts is home to several great parks, including a small quiet gem called Massasoit State Park in East Taunton. This beautiful, heavily wooded park offers several miles of peaceful hiking trails. Nice peaceful views of the woods and lakes provide a relaxing setting for early morning strolls. I like hiking here when I am looking for low-key exercise rather than a rough and tough hiking adventure. I recommend packing a picnic lunch to take advantage of the peaceful setting.
Although visiting anytime of the year is recommended, fall is a particularly spectacular time to visit. Not only are many of the trees alive with color, but you will also get a glimpse of the cranberry bogs.
Additionally, camping, fishing, and kayaking on Lake Rico (no rentals-bring your own) are popular park activities.
7. Gertrude M. Boyden Wildlife Refuge
Although only 2 miles of hiking trails exist at this Taunton refuge, you can really get back to nature in a short time frame. It’s a very peaceful and gorgeous place with nice viewpoints of the Three Mile River. Most of the trail follows the course of the river, and as you can imagine, the views are terrific. The trails are very flat, allowing for a leisurely stroll along the grounds. I’ve barely seen anyone else here during the late fall and winter months. It’s almost a bit creepy due to the desolate setting and adding in it’s location in the haunted Bridgewater Triangle amplifies this effect.
Birdwatching along with taking beautiful landscapes pictures round out a great day at the park. A picnic lunch in the relaxed natural setting of the refuge is the perfect way to end your afternoon.
8. Caratunk Wildlife Refuge
The Providence-Fall River metro area is home to a number of fantastic parks and preserves which offer fantastic hiking opportunities. I lived in this area and enjoyed the convenient access to many beautiful and quiet parks. One of the best options lies in Seekonk, a small community located just 10 minutes outside of Providence.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge is great for summer, spring, and fall hiking and winter snowshoeing. Here you can enjoy views of beautiful tall trees, lots of small streams and ponds, and absolutely no traffic noise! Birds and other small wildlife are found along the trails. With 6 miles of peaceful trails that are suitable for all activity levels, this is a great choice anytime of the year. I lived just minutes away, and thus, enjoyed the beautiful trails here often for quick workouts.
Where to find these hiking gems:
- Blue Hills Reservation – 695 Hillside St. Milton, MA 02186
- Myles Standish State Forest – 194 Cranberry Rd. Carver, MA 02366
- Great Island Trail – Griffin Island Rd. Wellfleet, MA 02667
- Middlesex Fells Reservation – S. Border Rd. Medford, MA 02155
- Great Neck Wildlife Sanctuary – Stockton Short Cut St, Wareham, MA 02571
- Massasoit State Park – 1361 Middleboro Ave, East Taunton, MA 02718
- Gertrude M. Boyden Wildlife Refuge – 1298 Cohannet Street, Taunton, MA 02780
- Caratunk Wildlife Refuge – 301 Brown Ave, Seekonk, MA 02771
Plenty of free parking is available at each reserve. There is no admission fee to hike at any of these parks/preserves. This is one of the things I love most about living in this area – there are so many wonderful free things to do!
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