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.
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
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
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
Rockwell Road Lanesborough, MA Phone: 413-499-4262
Good for hiking, camping, scenic drives, and viewing wildlife.
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.
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
Islands in Boston Harbor, and easy ferry ride from downtown. Swimming, hiking, picnicking. A fun day trip
Butler Road Monson, MA Phone: 978-840-4446
3 Old Route 9 Windsor, MA Phone: 413-684-0148
Burnett Road Chicopee, MA, 01020 Phone: 413-594-9416
Swimming and fishing on a large pond; walking trails
Salem Sound Salem, MA, 01970 Phone: 978-526-8687
Ruins of a turn-of-the-century summer colony...
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
1904 Canton Avenue Milton, MA Phone: 617-333-0690
1041 Cascade Street Pittsfield, MA Phone: 413-442-8992
Good for handicap-accessible recreation, fishing, walking & hiking.
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)
Visitor Center, 6 Plum Island Tpk. Newburyport, MA Phone: 978-465-5753
86 Winchendon Road Baldwinville, MA Phone: 508-939-8962
Camping, water sports, hiking
Gott Avenue Rockport, MA Phone: 508-546-2997
Elevated outcropping has beautiful sea views; birdwatching; good for walking & picnics
Route 20 Chester, MA Phone: 413-354-6347
Good for walking & hiking, horseback riding, hunting (restrictions), mountain biking, fishing
George Hill Road Lancaster, MA Phone: 978-840-4446
River Road Chesterfield, MA, 01012 Phone: 413-532-1631
Route 8A Hawley, MA, 01339 Phone: 413-339-5504
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.
end of Katama Road Edgartown (on Martha's Vineyard), MA Phone: 508-627-7689
Mason Street Williamstown, MA Phone: 413-458-3144
143 East Street South Egremont, MA, MA Phone: 413-528-0330
Good for scenic views, wilderness camping, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. Free access.
Petticoat Hill Road Williamsburg, MA Phone: 413-684-0148
Spend some time in this century old forest
Dresser Avenue and River Street Great Barrington, MA Phone:
Route 3A Plymouth, MA Phone: 508-866-2580
Good for scenic landscapes and coastal views; hiking & walking, and fishing.
136 Damon Road at Route 9 Northampton, MA Phone: 413-586-8706
Route 117, South Great Road Lincoln, MA Phone: 617-259-9807
915 Walden Street Concord and Lincoln, MA Phone: 978-369-3254
462 North Street Feeding Hills, MA Phone: 413-786-2877
Good for paddling, picnics, swimming, fishing, and views
Summer Street (Route 127) Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, 01944 Phone: 978-356-4351
Route 3A Cohasset & Hingham, MA Phone: 781-740-7233
Sloan Road Williamstown, MA Phone: 413-458-3144
Horseneck Road Dartmouth, MA Phone: 781-821-2977
260 Central Shaft Road Florida, MA Phone: 413-663-8469
Handicap-accessible hiking and camping; water sports, picnicking, hiking, camping, paddling, pets allowed
Asbury Street and Ipswich Road Topsfield, MA Phone: 508-887-5931
Great for walking, picnicking, enjoying spring flowers; horseback riding. Wading pool for kids
Wauwinet Road Wauwinet (on the island of Nantucket), MA, 02554 Phone: 508-228-5646
Neilson Road New Salem, MA Phone: 978-840-4446
Edgartown Road Edgartown, MA Phone: 508-627-4850
69 Bluehill Road Monterey, MA, 01245 Phone: 413-528-0904
Good for non-motorized boating, walking & hiking, camping, snowmobiling; fishing; leashed pets allowed
Begins at Elwell State Park, Damon Road Northampton, Hadley, & Amherst, MA Phone: 413-586-8706
Jacobs Lane Norwell, MA Phone: 617-659-2559
301 Brown Avenue Seekonk, MA, 02771 Phone: 508-761-8230
North Road, Chilmark Martha’s Vineyard, MA Phone: 508-693-3678
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.
175 Mohawk Trail / Route 2 Charlemont, MA, 01339 Phone: 413-339-5504
Good for year-round camping, viewing nature & wildlife, and trout fishing.
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
307 Main Street Easton, MA Phone:
345 Mountain Road Princeton, MA Phone: 508-464-2987
127 Combs Road Easthampton, MA Phone: 413-584-3009
472 West Mountain Road Lenox, MA Phone: 413-637-0320
250 Martin’s Lane Hingham, MA Phone: 781-740-6665
Clark Wright Road Middlefield, MA Phone: 413-684-0148
508 Canaan Road / Route 295 Richmond, MA Phone: 800-833-6274
160 Pawtucket Blvd Lowell, MA Phone: 978-458-8750
Park describes the history of this industrial city; also boating, fishing, and walking along esplanade
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.
Union Street Marshfield, MA Phone: 781-821-2977
Williamsburg Road Ashfield, MA Phone: 413-684-0148
Route 41 Hadley, MA Phone: 413-586-0350
90 Fitchburg Road / Route 31 Leominster, MA Phone: 508-874-2303
Forested property with 2 ponds, swimming, fishing, paddling, skiing & snowmobiling. No camping
131 Waquoit Highway Waquoit (East Falmouth), MA Phone: 508-457-0495
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
Hartford Street Medfield, MA, 02052 Phone: 508-785-0339
Just 30 minutes from downtown Boston
Tilda Hill Road Monroe, MA Phone: 413-339-5504
Argilla Road Ipswich, MA Phone: 508-356-4351
Off Route 41 Sheffield, MA Phone:
Stearns Street Carlisle, MA, 01741 Phone: 978-840-4446
Route 1A Ipswich, MA, 01938 Phone: 978-356-5728
Jug End Road Egremont, MA, 01258 Phone: 413-528-0330
Falls Road Royalston, MA Phone: 978-840-4446
Concealed within a dense forest
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.
Island Road Essex, MA, 01929 Phone: 978-526-8687
204 Union Street Hingham, MA Phone: 617-749-7160
Good for camping, fishing, hiking, and walking
Mill Street Waltham, MA Phone: 617-484-6357
Fern Road Tyringham, MA Phone: 413-298-3239
Hiking, birding, picnicking
Woodland Road Winchester, MA Phone: 781-322-2851 or
West Street Petersham, MA Phone: 978-544-3939
Good for fishing, walking, and nature viewing. No pets allowed.
485 Ware Road / Route 9 (3 miles east of intersection of routes 9 and 202) Belchertown, MA Phone: 413-323-7221
Quincy Shore Drive Quincy, MA, 02169 Phone: 617-727-5290
Route 6 North near Snail Road Provincetown, MA Phone:
Great Woods and Penny Brook Roads Lynn, MA Phone: 617-593-7773
Turkey Hill Lane Hingham, MA Phone: 781-740-7233
Mount Everett Road Mount Washington, MA Phone: 413-528-0330
Good for scenery and vista-viewing; free access; pets permitted.
Old North Road (Harmon Road) New Marlborough, MA, 01230 Phone: 413-298-3239
162 West Union Street Ashland, MA, 01721 Phone: 508 881-4092
Parker River Wildlife Refuge, Refuge Road Ipswich, MA Phone: 508-462-4481
Beautiful barrier island and ocean beach for walking, birdwatching
Perkins Row Topsfield, MA Phone: 508-887-9264
Causeway Street Medfield, MA, 02052 Phone: 508-785-0339
177 Forest Street Saugus, MA Phone: 781-233-0834
Large forest with 2 freshwater lakes; swimming; fishing; walking trails; extensive views
Weatogue Road, Ashley Falls Sheffield, MA Phone: 413-229-8600
South Sandwich Road Mashpee & Sandwich, MA, 02563 Phone: 508-636-4693
Trails among holly and rhododendron gardens; stocked fish ponds
Slab Bridge Road Assonet, MA Phone: 508 644-5522
Good for walking & hiking, winter sports, mountain biking, equestrian, fishing, and restricted hunting.
Woodridge Street Medfield, MA, 02052 Phone: 508-785-0339
Nichewaug Road Petersham, MA Phone: 978-840-4446
56 Highfield Drive Falmouth, MA Phone: 508-495-1878
204 Union Street Hingham, MA Phone: 617-749-7160
Good for camping, fishing, hiking, and walking
Farm Road Dover, MA, 02492 Phone: 508-785-0339
Route 116 South Deerfield, MA Phone: 413-545-5993
York Lake Road Sandisfield, MA Phone: 413 229-8212
Hiking trails available in this state forest, open Memorial to Labor Days
6 Discovery Hill Road East Sandwich, MA Phone: 508-888-6870
107 Wallum Lake Road Douglas, MA Phone: 508-476-7872
Popular state forest on lake with many activities: water sports; horseback riding; hiking trails
Hammond Pond Parkway Newton, MA Phone: 617-698-1802
Stevens Street North Andover, MA, 01845 Phone: 978-682-3580
Route 68 Royalston, MA Phone: 978-840-4446
Get back in touch with nature
Hawley Road Ashfield, MA Phone: 413-684-0148
Adams Street Milton, MA, 02186 Phone: 781-821-2977
430 Potomska Road South Dartmouth, MA Phone: 508-990-0505
Lindell Avenue Leominster, MA Phone: 978-840-4446
125 Reservation Road Holyoke, MA Phone: 413-534-1186
Good for handicap-accessible recreation, fishing, hiking & walking, paddling
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.
Noon Hill Road Medfield, MA, 02052 Phone: 508-785-0339
Jerusalem Road Tyringham, MA Phone: 413-298-3239
Route 7 Great Barrington, MA Phone: 413-298-3239
289 Pearl Street Gardner, MA Phone: 508-632-7897
Water sports on pond; walking trails; Nordic skiing and ice skating. Fully wheelchair accessible
Indian Hill Road West Tisbury, MA Phone:
1199 Middle Road Clarksburg, MA Phone: 413-664-8345
Good for camping, hiking, boating; non-motor boats only
Hartford Street Medfield, MA, 02052 Phone: 508-785-0339
Route 9 West Brookfield, MA Phone: 978-840-4446
Dedham Street Dover, MA, 02030 Phone: 781-821-2977
Woodland Road Lee, MA Phone: 413-243-1778
78 Warwick Road Warwick, MA, 01378 Phone: 978 544-3939
Main Street Petersham, MA Phone: 978-840-4446
Falls Road Mount Washington, MA Phone: 413-528-0330
Good for hiking and picnicking; fishing; leashed pets allowed
Prospect Road North Andover, MA, 01845 Phone: 978-682-3580
Long Pond Road Carver, MA Phone: 508-866-2580
Good for camping, hiking & walking, water activities, and natural science enthusiasts.
198 Purgatory Road Sutton, MA Phone: 508-234-3733
99 Millers Falls Road Northfield, MA Phone: 800-859-2960
New Liberty and Essex Salem, MA Phone: 508-740-1650
Route 101 Phillipston, MA Phone: 978-840-4446
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.
Barnes Road Edgartown, MA Phone: 508-693-2540
Hiking and biking through varied ecosystem
Route 6 and West Road South Wellfleet, MA, 02663 Phone: 508-349-2615
Beach Road, Route 1A Salisbury, MA, 01952 Phone: 508-462-4481
Fantastic, sandy ocean beach with all waterfront sports; popular for trailer camping
Off Long Point Road West Tisbury (on the island of Martha's Vineyard), MA Phone: 508-693-7662
East Street Petersham, MA Phone: 978-840-4446
Gott Avenue Rockport, MA Phone: 978-526-8687
86 Dearth Hill Road Brimfield, MA Phone: 413-267-9687
Good for hiking & walking, picnicking, horseback riding; fishing
280 Eliot Street Natick, MA Phone: 508-655-2296
Curzon Mill Road Newburyport, MA Phone: 978-465-7223
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
Quinaquisset Avenue and Meetinghouse Road Mashpee, MA Phone: 508-679-2115
Open: Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset
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.
