Eight Ponds Pass
Eight Ponds Pass is an ambitious yellow-blazed through-trail, envisioned to eventually run nearly 9 miles across Town conservation land, private parcels, Wildlands Trust property, and into Myles Standish State Forest,…
Hiking & Paddling Trails on the South Shore of Massachusetts
309 trails, parks, and paddle launches across 27 towns — free and community-built since 2017.
Explore by Town
All 27 towns →Popular Trails This Month
View all trails →Kapell Pinnacle Preserve
Named for its donor and for nearby Pinnacle Hill, Kapell Pinnacle Preserve is one of the Town's newest cranberry-bog restorations: the Department of Energy & Environment acquired roughly 51 acres…
Foothills Preserve
Completed in spring 2021, Foothills Preserve is a 126-acre former cranberry bog directly across from Mass Audubon's Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary, restored by tearing out the old bog infrastructure and letting…
Keville Footbridge & Pratt Trails
The combination of the Bridle Rail trail and Pratt provides visitors a 2 mile walk with many unique features. I can imagine this being an ideal for families since the…
Find Your Kind of Outing
Easy Walks & Accessible Trails
Flat, stroller- and wheelchair-friendly paths.
Kid-Friendly Adventures
Short loops, beaches, and nature centers.
Dog-Friendly Trails
Where four-legged hikers are welcome.
Waterfront & Beach Walks
Harbors, marshes, and ocean views.
Paddling & Boat Launches
Rivers, ponds, and put-ins for kayaks.
Rail Trails & Bike Paths
Crushed stone and paved multi-use paths.
What’s Good Right Now
Best Trails for July on the South Shore
Shaded woods, breezy coastal walks, and paddle-friendly water for the hottest weeks of summer.
- Shady forest loops for hot days →Hemlock and pine cover for the heat
- Coastal walks with a sea breeze →Harbor and marsh-edge paths
- Where to launch a kayak this weekend →River and pond put-ins
Latest Guides
All guides →
Accessible & ADA Trails on the South Shore
We firmly believe any time spent in nature is a win. Fresh air is good for…
Who Manages These Trails? A Guide to South Shore Conservation Organizations
When you pull into a trailhead parking lot on the South Shore, you might notice a…
Best Group Hikes on the South Shore
One of our favorite traditions is watching families and friends hike together. In the spirit of…
About South Shore Trails
South Shore Trails is a free, community-built guide to hiking, walking, and paddling on the South Shore of Massachusetts. Since 2017 we’ve cataloged more than 309 conservation areas, town forests, beaches, rail trails, and boat launches across 27 towns from Quincy to Plymouth.
Every trail page includes directions, an official trail map, and honest notes on what to expect — whether you’re looking for an easy walk near home, a kid-friendly loop for the weekend, or a quiet put-in for your kayak.
Trail data comes from town conservation departments, the NSRWA, Wildlands Trust, The Trustees, and our own boots on the ground.
Common Questions
What towns does South Shore Trails cover?
27 towns across the South Shore of Massachusetts, from Quincy and Braintree down to Plymouth and out to Rochester.
Are the trails free to visit?
Nearly all are free public conservation land. Any exceptions are noted on the trail page.
Which trails are good for kids or strollers?
See our kid-friendly and accessible trail collections for flat, short options.
Where can I find official trail maps?
Every trail page links to the official PDF map from the town or land trust that manages the property.