EASY (mostly level terrain) MODERATE (hilly terrain) DIFFICULT (strenuous & steep)The DCR Southeastern Massachusetts Adult Walking Club meets each weekend on either a Saturday or Sunday 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 welcome.
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 info, visit: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/passes-and-fees/parking-fees.html
DCR recommends wearing hiking boots and bringing drinking water on all hikes.
Bug spray and sunscreen also suggested.
Sunday, September 1 9am -10:30am
South Cape Beach State Park
Moderate, 2 mile walk along Dead Neck trail with beach, dunes, marsh and migrating shorebirds. Park at Bayberry Lot, within South Cape Beach State Park on Great Oak Road, Mashpee. Parking fee may apply. For info, call 508-457-0495 x125
Saturday, September 7 10am -11:30am
Blue Hills Reservation
Moderate walk, hilly terrain, 3.5+ miles. Wolcott Path to Breakneck Ledge to Chestnut Run and Border Path, return via Wolcott Path. Meet at the Trailside Museum north parking lot at 1904 Canton Avenue in Milton. For info, call 617-727-4573 x4.
Sunday, September 15 1pm-3pm
Wompatuck State Park
Moderate hike with a hill climb over paved and unpaved surfaces, 4.2 miles. Hike through the campground, and Prospect Hill section of the park. Enter the park at 204 Union Street in Hingham and drive 1.55 miles through the park and meet at the Transfer Station, on the left after the campground entrance. For info, call 781-740-1605 x204
Saturday, September 21 10am-noon
Nickerson State Park
Moderate hike of 4-5 miles, around Big Cliff Pond the long way as we slip off the scenic shoreline trail for a forest saunter before returning to the pond trail. Some hills and a couple of possible mucky spots. From the Park entrance at 3488 Main Street in Brewster, go up the road, take your first major left on Flax Pond Road, and follow to the end. For info, call 508-896-3491.
Sunday, September 29 9am-11am
F. Gilbert Hills State Forest
Moderate 4 mile hike to High Rock. Trails are rocky and hilly. Meet at the park headquarters at 45 Mill Street in Foxboro. For info, call Paul at 508-238-6566.
Sunday, October 6 10am-noon
Massasoit State Park
Moderate hike of about 4 miles as we take in the autumn scenery surrounding the ponds and wetlands of Massasoit State Park. Meet at the Contact Station in the main parking lot at 1361 Middleboro Avenue in East Taunton. For info, call 508-828-4231.
Sunday, October 6 1pm-3pm
Wompatuck State Park
Moderate 4 mile hike on paved and unpaved trails in the woods west of Aaron Reservoir. Enter the park at 204 Union Street in Hingham and travel 1.55 miles south from the visitor center to the Transfer Station, on the left after the campground entrance. For info, call 781-740-1605 x204
Sunday, October 20 10am-noon
South Cape Beach
Moderate 3 mile hike through a mix of pine barrens, abandoned cranberry bogs, and beach habitats along Flat Pond Trail and Dead Neck to Waquoit Bay. Mostly flat terrain with some soft sand. Meet at Bayberry parking area, on the right at South Cape Beach State Park on Great Oak Road in Mashpee. For info, call 508-457-0495.
Saturday, October 26 10am-noon
Blue Hills Reservation
Moderate walk, some hills. Walk a 4 mile loop around Ponkapoag Pond on the green dot trail. Meet at the Ponkapoag Golf Course parking lot at 2167 Washington St. in Canton. For info, call 617-727-4573, x4.
Saturday, November 2 10am-11:30am
Nickerson State Park
Moderate 4 mile walk around our Kettle Ponds, Little Cliff and Higgins; watch the progress of fall colors. Enter the park at 3488 Main Street in Brewster, go up the road, take your first major left on Flax Pond Road, and follow to the end. For info, call 508-896-3491.
Sunday, November 10 10am-noon
Wompatuck State Park
Moderate 4.3 mile hike over mostly unpaved trails in the Cohasset section of Wompatuck and beyond. Meet at the Doane Street entrance gate and dirt lot at the north end of Doane Street in Cohasset. For info, call 781-740-1605 x204.
Sunday, November 17 9am-11am
Borderland State Park
Moderate 4 mile hike along Granite Loops and around the ponds on hilly and rocky trails. Meet at the Visitor Center at 259 Massapoag Avenue in North Easton. For info, call Paul at 508-238-6566.
Saturday, November 23 1pm-2:30pm
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.
Saturday, November 30 10am-11:30am
Nickerson State Park
Join a moderate 4 mile walk around our Kettle Ponds, Little Cliff and Higgins; watch the further progress of colors. Enter the Park at 3488 Main Street in Brewster, go up the road, take your first major left on Flax Pond Road, and follow to the end. For info, call 508-896-3491.
Sunday, December 1 10am-11:30am
DCR Abigail Brook Property
Easy to moderate, 2 mile hike through Abigail Brook Property within the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge. Travel along fire roads, stream side trails and up a moderate hill to view Jehu Pond. Meet at Jehu Pond trailhead parking area off Great Oak Road in Mashpee. For info, call 508-457-0495.
Things to know before you go
Find other DCR activities statewide or plan your own park adventure at https://www.mass.gov/service-details/upcoming-programs-and-events.