Fall 2012 Hiking Trails

Fall 2012 ~ a perfect time to get outdoors and enjoy the crisp air....Here are a few places on the North Shore you can walk/run/bike or hike: (I am sure you may have heard of a few of these...)

Close by is the Wenham Canal: take Cherry Street off Route 1A and after 1/2 mile turn right onto "Old Town Way."  Follow the dirt road and park at the end.  You can walk either side of the canal ~ the left side is 4 miles roundtrip, and connects to Rail Trail at the end.  The new Rail Trail runs throughout the North Shore, so you may want to bike down the path and continue to Topsfield or Danvers.  Dogs are welcome, too.

At the end of the canal, in Topsfield is the Ipswich River Bird Sanctuary.  Many trails for walking or hiking and birdwatching, and beautiful foliage!  Bring a picnic.

On Route 97, there is the JC Phillips Nature Preserve.  Park right across from the Beverly Airport....you can walk a big loop and discover the backside of Wenham Lake.  Only biking and hiking, dogs are welcome.

In Hamilton, Appleton Farms is always a good choice.  Popular for cross country skiers in the snow but certainly a beautiful walk in the woods now!  Dogs need to be on leash.

Additionally in Hamilton, is the Bradley Palmer State Park, right on Asbury Street.  There is a driveway open only to pedestrians, so you can walk, bike, rollerblade here.  Dogs are permitted on leash too.

Manchester has the Coolidge Reservation, (Route 127) which is a hike through a pathway in the woods, and opens up onto a huge green field overlooking the ocean.  Bring a picnic and a camera.   Children (no dogs) love to climb the rocks.  It's open on the weekends.

Gloucester has recently improved the playground at Stage Fort Park (on the corner of Routes 127 and 133) If you go here you may want to swing by the Causeway Restaurant on 133 which has the best chowder!

Last but not least is my favorite: Halibut Point in Rockport.  Everyone is welcome here -- people of all ages walk the trails out to the rocks to watch the waves roll in.   Bring a picnic and/or hit "Lobster Pool" restaurant on the way home...

Thank you once again for your continued support and business ~ I appreciate it!   Pilates will strengthen your muscles, improve posture, build flexibility and balance to "Keep the Peace" within you...

See you all this weekend,

Moira