DCR Southeastern Massachusetts Adult Walking Club – Spring 2020

The Southeastern Massachusetts Adult Walking Club meets each weekend on either a Saturday or Sunday, usually at 1:00pm or 10:00am, for recreational walks. This club is open to people of 16 years of age and older, and there is no fee to join. Walks average 2 to 5 miles. New walkers are always encouraged to participate.

The terrain can vary:
▲ EASY (mostly level terrain)
▲▲ MODERATE (hilly terrain)
▲▲▲ DIFFICULT (strenuous & steep)

Walks will be led by a park ranger or a Walking Club volunteer leader.

The Walking Club meets at DCR sites across Southeastern Massachusetts. Some DCR sites charge a parking fee.
For more parking fee info, visit: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parking

Rangers recommend wearing hiking boots, dressing in layers and bringing drinking water on all hikes.

March

Sunday, March 7   1:00-2:30pm
Nickerson State Park ▲▲
Moderate walk, 4 miles, around Little Cliff and Higgins Pond. Meet at the end of Flax Pond Rd. Enter at the park entrance at 3488 Main St. in Brewster, go up the road and take your first major left, onto Flax Pond Rd. Go to the end of road. For info, call 508-896-3491.

Sunday, March 8   1:00-3:00pm
Blue Hills Reservation ▲▲
Moderate walk with hilly terrain. Wolcott Path to Breakneck Ledge and return via Five Corners Path. Park at Houghton’s Pond main parking lot at 840 Hillside St., Milton. For info, call 617-727-4573 x4.

Saturday, March 14   10:00am-1:00pm - cancelled (COVID-19)
Horseneck Beach Reservation ▲▲
Moderate walk, with some sandy and rocky terrain, about 5 miles. Hike along the beach, around Gooseberry Island, and through the dune trail. No dogs, please. No facilities. Meet at the main parking lot on John Reed Road in Westport. For info, call 508-272-9376.

Sunday, March 15   1:00-3:00pm - cancelled (COVID-19)
Wompatuck State Park ▲▲
Moderate hike, 5 miles. A Rails-to-Trails hike over former railroad bed. Trail terrain will vary between packed dirt and pavement. Meet at the Wompatuck State Park Visitor Center at 204 Union St. in Hingham. For info, call 781-740-1605 x204.

Saturday, March 21   1:00-2:30pm - cancelled (COVID-19)
Blue Hills Reservation ▲▲
Moderate walk, with some hills, 2.5 miles. Walk around Tucker Hill on the green dot trail. Meet at the Houghton’s Pond main parking lot at 840 Hillside St. in Milton. For info, call 617-727-4573 x4.

Sunday, March 22   1:00-2:30pm - cancelled (COVID-19)
Abigail Brook Trail ▲▲
Moderate 1.5 mile walk through forested lands, past a white cedar swamp and along the banks of Abigail Brook. Meet at the Jehu Pond Parking area on the right off Great Oak Road, Mashpee. No facilities on site. For info, call 508-457-0495.

March 28 & 29   10am-3pm
Blue Hills Maple Sugar Days
For more info, call 617-333-0690. (No Adult Walking Club this weekend due to special event)

April

Saturday, April 4   1:00-2:30pm - cancelled (COVID-19)
Blue Hills Reservation ▲▲
Moderate walk, some hills, 4 miles. Old Rte. 128 to Beech Hollow and Doe Hollow. Return via the green dot trail. Meet at the Houghton’s Pond main parking lot at 840 Hillside St. in Milton. For info, call 617-727-4573 x4.

Saturday, April 11   1:00-3:00pm - cancelled (COVID-19)
Nickerson State Park ▲▲
Moderate walk, 4 miles, around Cliff Pond. Meet at the end of Flax Pond Rd. Enter at the Park entrance at 3488 Main St. in Brewster, go up the road and take your first major left, onto Flax Pond Rd. Go to the end of road. For info, call 508-896-3491.

Sunday, April 19   1:00-3:00pm - cancelled (COVID-19)
Wompatuck State Park ▲▲
Moderate hike over paved and unpaved trails, 4.5 miles, through the middle of Wompatuck. Meet at the Transfer Station, 1.5 miles south of the visitor center on Union St. For info, call 781-740-1605 x204.

Sunday, April 26   1:00-2:30pm - cancelled (COVID-19)
Waquoit Bay Headwaters and Herring ▲
Easy 2 mile walk, including a few small hills. Explore the herring’s route from Waquoit Bay, to their spawning grounds. Park at John’s Pond Park Conservation area, end of Back Road, Mashpee. For info, call 508-457-0495.

May

Sunday, May 3   1:00-3:00pm - cancelled (COVID-19)
Blue Hills Reservation▲▲
Moderate 3.5 mile walk, mostly level. Walk the St. Moritz green dot loop. Meet at 651 Willard St. in Quincy. For info, call 617-727-4573 x4.

Saturday, May 9   10:00am-12:00pm
Blue Hills Reservation▲▲
Moderate walk, some hills. Walk a 4 mile loop around Ponkapoag Pond. Meet at the Golf Course parking lot at 2167 Washington St. in Canton. For info, call 617-727-4573 x4.

Saturday, May 16   1:00-3:00pm
Massasoit State Park ▲▲
Moderate 3.5 mile hike through the woods and wetlands of Massasoit State Park. Meet at the Contact Station in the main parking lot at 1361 Middleboro Avenue in East Taunton. For more info, call 508-828-4231.

Saturday, May 23   1:00-2:30pm
Myles Standish State Forest ▲
Easy walk along the 2.5-mile Easthead Reservoir Trail. Meet at the Interpretive Center at 194 Cranberry Road in South Carver. For more info, call 508-866-2526.

Sunday, May 31   1:00-3:00pm
Wompatuck State Park ▲▲
Moderate hike over paved and unpaved trails, 4.5 mile route to Gammon Bridge. Meet at the Transfer Station on left, 1.55 miles south of the visitor center on Union St. For info, call 781-740-1605 x204.

Things to know before you go

• Wear sturdy footgear, dress in layers, and carry drinking water
• Unless otherwise noted in the walk description, well-behaved dogs are allowed on a 10-foot leash and pet waste must be removed from the park.
• We will hike unless the weather  creates unsafe conditions
• If weather conditions are questionable, please call the featured park directly at:
  • Blue Hills Reservation, 617-727-4573, x4
  • Myles Standish State Forest, 508-866-2526
  • Nickerson State Park, 508-896-3491
  • Waquoit Bay Reserve, 508-457-0495
  • Wompatuck State Park, 781-740-1605, x204
  • Massasoit State Park, 508- 272-9376
  • Horseneck Beach Reservation, 508-272-9376
  • Abigail Brook, 508-457-0495

If you would like to receive this brochure via email, please send an e-mail request to: Tom.Bender@state.ma.us