11 Excellent Walks in Hingham

This month the North and South Rivers Watershed Association’s “50 Places to Explore” contest, which encourages the public to visit conservation lands and other open space areas, features properties in Hingham. 

Hingham has quite a number of open spacesa-- a number that keeps growing! In 2017 the Hingham Land Conservation Trust published an excellent map, “Parklands for the Public.” It’s available for free online, as well as on paper at the Conservation office at the Hingham Town Hall. It’s going to take me a while to visit all 77 of the nature preserves and other public lands featured on the map, so in the meantime, here’s a short list with some highlights.

 Bare Cove Park

This large and versatile property is located on the Weymouth Back River. In an earlier life, it was the Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot. Leftover from its military past are numerous paved walkways, many with views of the marsh and the river. There are forests too, and grasslands, and plenty of non-paved walking trails. This is an excellent destination for those who travel by wheelchair or stroller, and also a great place to ride bikes with young children. 484 acres. Park on Bare Cove Drive or Beal Street.

https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/bare-cove-park/

Foundry Pond

The pond was created in the 1700s, when the Weir River was dammed for mill power. This 32-acre property is a nice spot for a quick walk or just a breath of fresh air. Enter from Kilby Street for up-close views of the pond and river. In the spring, you may see herring making their way up the fish ladder! Enter from Weir Street for 0.77 miles of woodland walking trails. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/foundry-pond/

Wompatuck State Park

With 3500 acres to explore, Wompatuck State Park is not a quick study. There are miles and miles of well-marked trails, both paved and natural. Download or pick up a property map so you can find your way around. On a recent hike I came across old railroad tracks with the rails and ties still intact! A great place to the start is the Visitor Center, just inside the Lazell Street entrance. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/wompatuck-state-park/

 Triphammer Pond Conservation Area

This lovely property in a secluded corner of Hingham directly abuts Wompatuck. It takes less than an hour to hike around the pond. In total, there are 98 acres of woods, trails and waterways. The main trail dips briefly into the state park, so if you’re in the mood for a longer walk, it’s very easy to extend your route. Parking on Popes Lane. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/triphammer-pond-conservation-area/

Weir River Farm

Agricultural landscapes used to be so common on the South Shore, but today they are a rarity. Experience one first-hand at this 75-acre property on Turkey Hill Lane. You can follow the trail around the fields and through the woods to enjoy a variety of captivating settings. Schedule your visit when the barnyard is open if you’d like to see the livestock.

https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/weir-river-farm/

Turkey Hill

Continue past Weir River Farm to the end of Turkey Hill Lane and treat yourself to an expansive view of the Boston skyline and the Harbor Islands. This former military site is now conservation land. It provides a convenient link between Weir River Farm and Whitney & Thayer Woods. If you prefer to arrive at Turkey Hill on foot, instead of by car, park in the designated lot on Route 3A and follow the trail to the top.

https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/turkey-hill/

Whitney & Thayer Woods

This 824-acre woodland straddles the Cohasset-Hingham town line. Along with Weir River Farm, Turkey Hill, Wompatuck and Triphammer, it represents an enormous (for the South Shore) contiguous greenspace, and provides vital habitat for numerous animals and plants that might not otherwise be able to withstand suburban life. Park on Route 3A in Cohasset, across from Stop & Shop Plaza.

https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/whitney-thayer-woods/

Jacobs Meadow

Wide open fields stretch are the most remarkable feature of this 50-acre property, which is bordered by groves of cedar and beech, plus pine & oak forests, and two loop trails. Fulling Mill Brook flows along the eastern edge. On the weekends, you can access the trails directly behind the Wilder Memorial Building (666 Main Street). When preschool is in session, enter through the Lehner Conservation Area, immediately adjacent.

https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/jacobs-meadow/

Lehner Conservation Area

Hingham’s newest conservation area offers wide open fields and a loop trail through woods and wetlands, plus old stone walls and up-close views of a winding forest stream. A trail through the woods links the 56-acre property on South Pleasant Street links to Jacobs Meadow.

https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/lehner-conservation-area/

Photo by Lisa Irwin.

Stodder’s Neck

Looking for a great place to walk your dog? Try Stodder’s Neck! This 23-acre peninsula along the Weymouth Back River features a 0.7-mile trail along the water. Look for the large parking area on Route 3A, near the Weymouth line.

https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/stodders-neck/

Photo by Lisa Irwin.

World’s End

A jewel in the crown of South Shore nature preserves, this 251-acre parcel was designed in part by Frederick Law Olmsted. Rolling hills and granite ledges bordered by Hingham Harbor and the Weir River, with majestic views of the Boston skyline and 4.5 miles of carriage paths and trails. Parking area on Martin's Lane.

https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/worlds-end/

by Kezia Bacon

February 2020

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to protecting our waters. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. You will also find 20+ years of Kezia’s Nature columns there. For more information about the 50 Places to Explore Contest,” visit https://www.nsrwa.org/get-outdoors/enter-the-nsrwa-50-places-to-explore-contest/  

10 Walks in Scituate

Don't miss this observation deck at the Driftway Conservation Park.

The North and South Rivers Watershed Association was founded 50 years ago, so 2020 is a big anniversary year! The association has grown from 200 citizens to 1600 households. It is now the largest environmental organization on Boston’s South Shore, and serves as a strong advocate for our rivers and local waterways.

The watershed of the North and South Rivers includes 12 towns. One of the many ways NSRWA is celebrating its 50^th Anniversary is by highlighting one of these towns each month in 2020, suggesting walks and hosting other events there. There is also a “50 Places to Explore” contest (https://www.nsrwa.org/get-outdoors/enter-the-nsrwa-50-places-to-explore-contest/), which encourages the public to visit conservation lands and other open space areas within each town.

Since Scituate is the featured town for the month of January, I’ve compiled a list of walking places there, which I encourage you to check out. Many of them were new to me (until this month!) and I’ve been delighted to make some very welcome discoveries. There are just so many beautiful places to explore on the South Shore! I hope you’ll join me in visiting them this year. 

Widow’s Walk: Visit this place first because it’s only open to walkers from late December to March 1. The municipally-owned Widow’s Walk Golf Course debuted in 1997 as the first environmental demonstration course in the US. It is also a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, with lots of habitat for birds and other creatures. Don’t miss the view from the Signature Hole, which stands at the top of the tallest hill (a paved path gets you there). On a clear day, you can see the ocean, the Herring River, and the mouth of the North River. It’s spectacular. Park on site at 250 Driftway. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/widows-walk/

Driftway Conservation Park: Directly across the street from Widow’s Walk is the 334-acre Driftway Conservation Park. From the on-site parking area, it may not seem to offer much in the way of trails, but if you continue along the edge of the water, past the old Boston Sand & Gravel wharves, you’ll find a trailhead and 2+ miles of intersecting, color-coded paths, as well as a very inviting observation deck that extends into the Herring River salt marsh. The trails are varied -- through woods, wetlands, sandy areas, and marsh -- plenty to explore! https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/driftway-conservation-park/

The next three properties are relatively small. They might be visited alone, or as a group, along with Driftway Conservation Park, above. 

Driftway Multi-Purpose Path: If you park at Driftway Conservation and walk away from the water, toward the street, you will find yourself on the Driftway Multi-Purpose Path, which is 1.5 miles of paved trail for walking and cycling (it looks like a sidewalk). Follow the path in either direction for views of the Herring River and its marshes, as well as the outer reaches of Widow’s Walk Golf Course and the Driftway Conservation Park. Additional parking at Herring River Trail, at 32 New Driftway, next to Dunkin. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/herring-brook-trail-and-driftway-multi-purpose-path/

James Landing Walkway: Another small but worthwhile property is the James Landing Walkway, a 0.3-mile trail that extends along the edge of the salt marsh, with gorgeous views of the Herring River. Park at Driftway Conservation, and walk toward the street, turning left on the sidewalk/Multi-Purpose Path. A short distance (0.3 miles) down the path, look for a dirt trail that veers off to the left. This is the beginning of the James Landing Walkway. Be please mindful of private property while walking here. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/james-landing-walkway-and-herring-river-marina/

Herring River Trail: At the western terminus of the Driftway Multi-Purpose Path (32 New Driftway, next to Dunkin), there is a very small parking area. This is also where you’ll find the Herring River Trail. What once was a railroad bed is now a wide, flat, 0.4-mile path through woods and marshland. This is a great spot to stretch your legs and enjoy a quick dose of Mother Nature. The views are quite nice! https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/herring-river-trail/

Bates Lane Conservation Area: Scituate’s West End offers abundant open space, with carefully tended, well-marked trails. Park at the Mount Hope Improvement Society, 287 Clapp Road, and look for the trailhead across the street. Within this 335-acre woodland, you’ll find enchanting streams, groves of American Holly trees, glacial erratic boulders, and plenty of old stone walls. Plan for multiple visits, as there is so much to explore here! https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/bates-lane-conservation-area/

Higgins-MacAllister Preserve: Immediately adjacent to the Bates Lane property, the Higgins-MacAllister Preserve offers another 37 acres of woodlands, boulders and streams. The best way to access this spot at the moment is off the Carl Pipes Trail, in the Bates Lane Conservation Area. Follow the teal trail markers, and don’t miss the Boulder Loop or the enormous Eastern White Pine tree. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/higgins-macallister-preserve/

Hubbell Preserve: This place is special. Beautiful and varied, it is worth visiting in any season, except perhaps when there’s ice on the ground. Located in a quiet corner of North Scituate, this 40-acre property features a 0.7-mile trail through the woods, past (and sometimes over) moss-covered rocky outcroppings and babbling streams. Look for the trailhead across from 121 Indian Path. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/hubbell-preserve/

Ellis Estate Trails: The 89 acres of woodlands surrounding the historic Bailey-Ellis House are home to a number of intersecting trails, plus Deke’s Pond. The Ellsberg Trail traverses wetlands and has some steep sections; the Seaview Loop is mostly level; the Bailey-Ellis Loop is mostly dry, but also occasionally steep. It’s a great place to see 100-year-old trees and glacial erratic boulders. On-site parking at 709 Country Way.https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/ellis-estate-trails/

Humarock Beach: Let’s not forget Humarock! You can walk down the beach to Marshfield . . . or all the way up to the mouth of the North River at Fourth Cliff. With the wind and the waves and the tides, it’s a dynamic place -- never boring. Limited parking on Marshfield Ave. plus a large lot for those with Scituate stickers. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/humarock-beach/

by Kezia Bacon

January 2020

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to protecting our waters. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. You will also find 20+ years of Kezia’s Nature columns there.