Hiking & Paddling Trails on the South Shore of Massachusetts

308 trails, parks, and paddle launches across 27 towns — free and community-built since 2017.

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 308 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.

Explore by Town

All 27 towns →
Marshfield 35 trails Plymouth 34 trails Hingham 33 trails Duxbury 27 trails Hanover 23 trails Scituate 19 trails Kingston 18 trails Pembroke 17 trails Norwell 17 trails + 18 more towns Browse all

Popular Trails This Month

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Eight Ponds Pass

Moderate Pond Plymouth Dog friendly Parking

Eight Ponds Pass featuring scenic pond views. The 9 mile trail is perfect for hiking. The Town's 2026 trail guide covers the completed eastern segment, roughly 4-5 miles from Beaver…

Kapell Pinnacle Preserve

Easy Plymouth Dog friendly Parking

Kapell Pinnacle Preserve is a 51 acre property featuring scenic pond views. This trail system is perfect for hiking. The property sits within the Zone II wellhead protection area for…

Foothills Preserve

Easy Plymouth Dog friendly Parking

Located in Plymouth, Foothills Preserve is a 126 acre property with natural wetland habitats. This trail system is ideal for hiking and biking. of Energy and Environment storage barn in…

Keville Footbridge & Pratt Trails

Marshfield Paddle-friendly

Located in Marshfield, Keville Footbridge & Pratt Trails is a 37 acre property with natural wetland habitats. The 2 mile trail is perfect for hiking. The Bridle Trail is actually…

AJ Mceachern Memorial Trail

Scituate Parking Paddle-friendly

AJ Mceachern Memorial Trailwith natural wetland habitats. This trail system is perfect for hiking. The main AJ Memorial Path covers about a half-mile on mostly level terrain, while longer yellow,…

AJ Mceachern Memorial Trail

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.

Latest Guides

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