From a cabin in the woods,, Henry David Thoreau expounded on the virtues and health benefits of walking. Here you’ll find miles of paved, lighted, unpaved, sun-drenched and shaded trails for every age, ability, and destination in mind. In charming cities and quaint towns, on beaches and in the pastoral countryside, come and discover historic battlefields and streets where patriots and presidents walked. Explore parks, woodland and wildlife areas, old railroad beds, carriage roads, farms, meadows and cranberry bogs. Travel urban paths, greenways, and riverbeds. Climb ridges along the Mohawk and Appalachian trails and stroll luscious valleys. After your walk, loosen those muscles at a luscious spa.
Adams National Historical Park Visitor Center - 1250 Hancock Street Quincy, MA, 02169 Phone: 617-770-1175
City of presidents has elected to focus its energy on delightful hiking options
37 Corey Road -- Route 43 Hancock, MA, 01237 Phone: 413-738-5500 Toll-Free: 800-882-8859
Many trails to choose from
Route 7 - 306 Stockbridge Road Great Barrington, MA, 01230 Phone: 413-528-3000
Hiking is ideal in the Berkshires, and this inn is the perfect central location
Headquarters, 6 Plum Island Tpk. Newburyport, MA Phone: 978-465-5753
Dike Road (on Chappaquiddick Island near Martha's Vineyard) Edgartown, MA, 02539 Phone: 508-627-7689
Magnificent barrier beach with sandy shoreline & salt marsh and pond; good for walking, natural beauty
Cape Street, Route 112 Goshen, MA Phone: 413-268-7098
Good for boating, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and winter sports; pets permitted except on sandy beach; non-motorized boats only.
Rockwell Road Lanesborough, MA Phone: 413-499-4262
Good for hiking, camping, scenic drives, and viewing wildlife.
Islands in Boston Harbor, and easy ferry ride from downtown. Swimming, hiking, picnicking. A fun day trip
Salt Pond Visitor Center at Nauset Road and Route 6 Eastham, MA, 02642 Phone: 508-255-3421
Lots of walking paths in Cape Cod National Seashore
South Sandwich Road Mashpee & Sandwich, MA, 02563 Phone: 508-636-4693
Trails among holly and rhododendron gardens; stocked fish ponds
198 Purgatory Road Sutton, MA Phone: 508-234-3733
462 North Street Feeding Hills, MA Phone: 413-786-2877
Good for paddling, picnics, swimming, fishing, and views
Route 41 Hadley, MA Phone: 413-586-0350
Butler Road Monson, MA Phone: 978-840-4446
Off Route 41 Sheffield, MA Phone:
York Lake Road Sandisfield, MA Phone: 413 229-8212
Hiking trails available in this state forest, open Memorial to Labor Days
Hawley Road Ashfield, MA Phone: 413-684-0148
Route 1A Ipswich, MA, 01938 Phone: 978-356-5728
793 Main Street Hampden, MA Phone: 413-566-8034
An 18th century house owned by children’s author Thornton Burgess highlights the 354 acres of walking trails and natural beauty. A library and exhibits offered.
Stearns Street Carlisle, MA, 01741 Phone: 978-840-4446
Weatogue Road, Ashley Falls Sheffield, MA Phone: 413-229-8600
Turkey Hill Lane Hingham, MA Phone: 781-740-7233
Barnes Road Edgartown, MA Phone: 508-693-2540
Hiking and biking through varied ecosystem
Mason Street Williamstown, MA Phone: 413-458-3144
90 Fitchburg Road / Route 31 Leominster, MA Phone: 508-874-2303
Forested property with 2 ponds, swimming, fishing, paddling, skiing & snowmobiling. No camping
Great Woods and Penny Brook Roads Lynn, MA Phone: 617-593-7773
Hammond Pond Parkway Newton, MA Phone: 617-698-1802
430 Potomska Road South Dartmouth, MA Phone: 508-990-0505
Route 68 Royalston, MA Phone: 978-840-4446
Get back in touch with nature
56 Highfield Drive Falmouth, MA Phone: 508-495-1878
177 Forest Street Saugus, MA Phone: 781-233-0834
Large forest with 2 freshwater lakes; swimming; fishing; walking trails; extensive views
508 Canaan Road / Route 295 Richmond, MA Phone: 800-833-6274
107 Wallum Lake Road Douglas, MA Phone: 508-476-7872
Popular state forest on lake with many activities: water sports; horseback riding; hiking trails
Farm Road Dover, MA, 02492 Phone: 508-785-0339
Route 7 Great Barrington, MA Phone: 413-298-3239
307 Main Street Easton, MA Phone:
Visitor Center, 6 Plum Island Tpk. Newburyport, MA Phone: 978-465-5753
end of Katama Road Edgartown (on Martha's Vineyard), MA Phone: 508-627-7689
Horseneck Road Dartmouth, MA Phone: 781-821-2977
69 Bluehill Road Monterey, MA, 01245 Phone: 413-528-0904
Good for non-motorized boating, walking & hiking, camping, snowmobiling; fishing; leashed pets allowed
159 Walker Pond Road Sturbridge, MA, 01566 Phone: 508-347-9257
Best for camping and hiking; swimming beach for campers only; 5 miles from Old Sturbridge Village
Clark Wright Road Middlefield, MA Phone: 413-684-0148
164 Cedar Street Hopkinton, MA, 01748 Phone: 508-435-4303
Located on a reservoir; activities include water sports, hiking, picnicking, skiing and snowmobiling. Boat ramp
143 East Street South Egremont, MA, MA Phone: 413-528-0330
Good for scenic views, wilderness camping, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. Free access.
1199 Middle Road Clarksburg, MA Phone: 413-664-8345
Good for camping, hiking, boating; non-motor boats only
Nichewaug Road Petersham, MA Phone: 978-840-4446
162 West Union Street Ashland, MA, 01721 Phone: 508 881-4092
Causeway Street Medfield, MA, 02052 Phone: 508-785-0339
Route 8A Hawley, MA, 01339 Phone: 413-339-5504
204 Union Street Hingham, MA Phone: 617-749-7160
Good for camping, fishing, hiking, and walking
Peck Road Wales, MA Phone: 413-267-9654
There are guided spring wildflower walks at this 3,000-acre site, which features three miles of nature trails and two museums.
Off Long Point Road West Tisbury (on the island of Martha's Vineyard), MA Phone: 508-693-7662
Sloan Road Williamstown, MA Phone: 413-458-3144
Tilda Hill Road Monroe, MA Phone: 413-339-5504
Route 6 North near Snail Road Provincetown, MA Phone:
Route 20 Chester, MA Phone: 413-354-6347
Good for walking & hiking, horseback riding, hunting (restrictions), mountain biking, fishing
Adams Street Milton, MA, 02186 Phone: 781-821-2977
Gott Avenue Rockport, MA Phone: 508-546-2997
Elevated outcropping has beautiful sea views; birdwatching; good for walking & picnics
Lindell Avenue Leominster, MA Phone: 978-840-4446
Falls Road Mount Washington, MA Phone: 413-528-0330
Good for hiking and picnicking; fishing; leashed pets allowed
160 Pawtucket Blvd Lowell, MA Phone: 978-458-8750
Park describes the history of this industrial city; also boating, fishing, and walking along esplanade
3 Old Route 9 Windsor, MA Phone: 413-684-0148
Mill Street Waltham, MA Phone: 617-484-6357
Route 9 West Brookfield, MA Phone: 978-840-4446
Dresser Avenue and River Street Great Barrington, MA Phone:
78 Warwick Road Warwick, MA, 01378 Phone: 978 544-3939
Noon Hill Road Medfield, MA, 02052 Phone: 508-785-0339
North Street Norfolk, MA Phone: 508-528-3140
This nature center includes a self-guided hiking trail. An extensive boardwalk system helps visitors explore Teal Marsh and its wildlife.
204 Union Street Hingham, MA Phone: 617-749-7160
Good for camping, fishing, hiking, and walking
Gott Avenue Rockport, MA Phone: 978-526-8687
Williamsburg Road Ashfield, MA Phone: 413-684-0148
Asbury Street and Ipswich Road Topsfield, MA Phone: 508-887-5931
Great for walking, picnicking, enjoying spring flowers; horseback riding. Wading pool for kids
250 Martin’s Lane Hingham, MA Phone: 781-740-6665
1904 Canton Avenue Milton, MA Phone: 617-333-0690
260 Central Shaft Road Florida, MA Phone: 413-663-8469
Handicap-accessible hiking and camping; water sports, picnicking, hiking, camping, paddling, pets allowed
472 West Mountain Road Lenox, MA Phone: 413-637-0320
Summer Street (Route 127) Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, 01944 Phone: 978-356-4351
Begins at Elwell State Park, Damon Road Northampton, Hadley, & Amherst, MA Phone: 413-586-8706
99 Millers Falls Road Northfield, MA Phone: 800-859-2960
Woodland Road Winchester, MA Phone: 781-322-2851 or
Parker River Wildlife Refuge, Refuge Road Ipswich, MA Phone: 508-462-4481
Beautiful barrier island and ocean beach for walking, birdwatching
East Street Petersham, MA Phone: 978-840-4446
Petticoat Hill Road Williamsburg, MA Phone: 413-684-0148
Spend some time in this century old forest
Walk starts at Old State House, 206 Washington Street Boston, MA Phone: 617-482-1722
A self-guided walk that traces the history of the Boston waterfront. The tour begins at the Old State House, brochures are available at the National Park Service Visitor's Center on State Street.
Wauwinet Road Wauwinet (on the island of Nantucket), MA, 02554 Phone: 508-228-5646
Route 3A Cohasset & Hingham, MA Phone: 781-740-7233
305 Middleton Road North Andover, MA, 01845 Phone: 508-686-3391
In-the-forest camping; miles of logging roads for hiking and mountain biking; fishing and paddling (no motor boats)
New Liberty and Essex Salem, MA Phone: 508-740-1650
New Marlborough Hill Road New Marlborough, MA Phone: 413-298-3239
A seventeen-acre upland field of native meadow wildflowers attracts a variety of dragonflies and butterflies
Jerusalem Road Tyringham, MA Phone: 413-298-3239
Neilson Road New Salem, MA Phone: 978-840-4446
1041 Cascade Street Pittsfield, MA Phone: 413-442-8992
Good for handicap-accessible recreation, fishing, walking & hiking.
485 Ware Road / Route 9 (3 miles east of intersection of routes 9 and 202) Belchertown, MA Phone: 413-323-7221
Off Mystic Valley Parkway Medford, Somerville, Everett, MA Phone: 617-727-5380
Series of parks and green spaces along Mystic River; accessible by MBTA trains; walking, biking, picnicking, swimming
West Street Petersham, MA Phone: 978-544-3939
Good for fishing, walking, and nature viewing. No pets allowed.
Main Street Petersham, MA Phone: 978-840-4446
915 Walden Street Concord and Lincoln, MA Phone: 978-369-3254
River Road Chesterfield, MA, 01012 Phone: 413-532-1631
6 Discovery Hill Road East Sandwich, MA Phone: 508-888-6870
Indian Hill Road West Tisbury, MA Phone:
Hartford Street Medfield, MA, 02052 Phone: 508-785-0339
136 Damon Road at Route 9 Northampton, MA Phone: 413-586-8706
Edgartown Road Edgartown, MA Phone: 508-627-4850
Curzon Mill Road Newburyport, MA Phone: 978-465-7223
Jug End Road Egremont, MA, 01258 Phone: 413-528-0330
280 Eliot Street Natick, MA Phone: 508-655-2296
289 Pearl Street Gardner, MA Phone: 508-632-7897
Water sports on pond; walking trails; Nordic skiing and ice skating. Fully wheelchair accessible
Union Street Marshfield, MA Phone: 781-821-2977
86 Dearth Hill Road Brimfield, MA Phone: 413-267-9687
Good for hiking & walking, picnicking, horseback riding; fishing
Fern Road Tyringham, MA Phone: 413-298-3239
Hiking, birding, picnicking
Stevens Street North Andover, MA, 01845 Phone: 978-682-3580
131 Waquoit Highway Waquoit (East Falmouth), MA Phone: 508-457-0495
86 Winchendon Road Baldwinville, MA Phone: 508-939-8962
Camping, water sports, hiking
Route 6 and West Road South Wellfleet, MA, 02663 Phone: 508-349-2615
William J. Day Blvd. South Boston, MA Phone: 617-727-5290
Bayside string of parks and beaches easily accessible to Boston; walking, swimming, fishing
Fort Independence has two main hiking trails; 1.8-mile Pleasure Bay Loop, overlooking scenic Pleasure and Dorchester Bays, and .79-mile-long Castle Island Loop, which leads you in a ring around the Fort. You'll find a telephone located halfway 'round the Bay trail at Sugarbowl Shelter.
See Castle Island, Pleasure Bay, M Street Beach and Carson Beach for full description of this park.
Island Road Essex, MA, 01929 Phone: 978-526-8687
Quincy Shore Drive Quincy, MA, 02169 Phone: 617-727-5290
301 Brown Avenue Seekonk, MA, 02771 Phone: 508-761-8230
125 Reservation Road Holyoke, MA Phone: 413-534-1186
Good for handicap-accessible recreation, fishing, hiking & walking, paddling
Prospect Road North Andover, MA, 01845 Phone: 978-682-3580
Beach Road, Route 1A Salisbury, MA, 01952 Phone: 508-462-4481
Fantastic, sandy ocean beach with all waterfront sports; popular for trailer camping
Mount Everett Road Mount Washington, MA Phone: 413-528-0330
Good for scenery and vista-viewing; free access; pets permitted.
Route 101 Phillipston, MA Phone: 978-840-4446
127 Combs Road Easthampton, MA Phone: 413-584-3009
345 Mountain Road Princeton, MA Phone: 508-464-2987
North Road, Chilmark Martha’s Vineyard, MA Phone: 508-693-3678
Falls Road Royalston, MA Phone: 978-840-4446
Concealed within a dense forest
Woodland Road Lee, MA Phone: 413-243-1778
Argilla Road Ipswich, MA Phone: 508-356-4351
Hartford Street Medfield, MA, 02052 Phone: 508-785-0339
Just 30 minutes from downtown Boston
Dedham Street Dover, MA, 02030 Phone: 781-821-2977
Old North Road (Harmon Road) New Marlborough, MA, 01230 Phone: 413-298-3239
Omni Parker House Boston, MA Phone: 617-350-0358
A tour for everyone who loves history, good books, and beautiful settings. Discover the homes, gathering places, and landscapes of America's most beloved authors on a guided tour, or on your own with the Self-Guided Tour Package. Travel from Boston to Cambridge and Concord and visit sites such as Walden Pond, Longfellow House, Concord Museum, and Orchard House. Tours depart from the Omni Parker House the second Saturday of the month, beginning August.
Jacobs Lane Norwell, MA Phone: 617-659-2559
Perkins Row Topsfield, MA Phone: 508-887-9264
Quinaquisset Avenue and Meetinghouse Road Mashpee, MA Phone: 508-679-2115
Open: Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset
Slab Bridge Road Assonet, MA Phone: 508 644-5522
Good for walking & hiking, winter sports, mountain biking, equestrian, fishing, and restricted hunting.
Salem Sound Salem, MA, 01970 Phone: 978-526-8687
Ruins of a turn-of-the-century summer colony...
Route 117, South Great Road Lincoln, MA Phone: 617-259-9807
Burnett Road Chicopee, MA, 01020 Phone: 413-594-9416
Swimming and fishing on a large pond; walking trails
George Hill Road Lancaster, MA Phone: 978-840-4446
Turtle Pond Parkway Hyde Park, MA Phone: 617-698-1802
Sunfish and Perch await anglers in Turtle Pond at this 475-acre park and wildlife refuge, featuring fishing areas, biking and hiking trails, public swimming, and picnic areas. Programs are scheduled throughout the year.
Long Pond Road Carver, MA Phone: 508-866-2580
Good for camping, hiking & walking, water activities, and natural science enthusiasts.
Route 116 South Deerfield, MA Phone: 413-545-5993
Route 3A Plymouth, MA Phone: 508-866-2580
Good for scenic landscapes and coastal views; hiking & walking, and fishing.
Woodridge Street Medfield, MA, 02052 Phone: 508-785-0339
175 Mohawk Trail / Route 2 Charlemont, MA, 01339 Phone: 413-339-5504
Good for year-round camping, viewing nature & wildlife, and trout fishing.
