Massachusetts Trail Recommendations for Aging Hikers

Marcy on the Pocumtuck Ridge Trail.

     Many years ago, while representing DCR at a Big E booth, an older couple asked me where they could hike. They weren't looking for accessible trails. Having been avid hikers for a long time, they wanted to know what trails offered a better match for their changing abilities. 

     At the time, I was a bit stumped. Now, in my mid-60s, I get it. And since I've continued to hike over the years, I realize I have developed a list of places and strategies I've chosen that have worked well for me as my needs and abilities change. There are more active and aging hikers who want to keep in shape and enjoy a favorite form of recreation than ever before. We may be ambulatory and in reasonable condition but need to approach hiking differently to continue to benefit from all that hiking offers. 

An aging hiker at Wendell State Forest.

     Changes in ability happen gradually if we are lucky. Most notably, its stamina - shifting from 5-8 mile hikes to 3-5 miles to 1-3 miles. Then its structure - how well are the feet, knees and hips tolerating hard surfaces, climbs and descents? How sore am I during or after the hike? What trail surfaces and terrain choices help me get what I want from hiking - cardio exercise, connection with nature, fresh air, new vistas - without causing pain or injury? I have found that pond loops tend to offer moderate terrain and softer trail surfaces, and that there are still attainable vista views out there, along with a wide variety of trail options.

     Each person has to develop their own approach, based on self-assessment. Some may want to join a group. Others may prefer to hike solo. At some point, hiking in pairs or small groups for additional safety and support is a likely good choice. Longer hikes can be done over multiple outings instead of one long day hike. Rugged terrain may be too stressful to the body - so it's important to know in advance what trails offer moderate terrain, perhaps with a balanced amount of a more tolerable rugged trail experience that provides a desired level of challenge while strengthening your ankles, legs, and heart.

     The internet is awash with information for aging hikers related to gear, techniques, and self-care. It's not so easy to find a curated list of local or regional hikes. You might learn what you need from a hiking app such as AllTrails or Strava, or a local hiking club. Based on personal experience, here are some recommendations for Massachusetts - a beginning list that will continue to grow. Feel free to offer more suggestions!

Eastern Massachusetts

Walden Pond State Reservation, Concord

Esker Trail/Emerson Cliffs/Heywood Path/Pond Loop - 1-3 miles - Many people hike the well-worn 1.7-mile pond loop which has some steep steps and rocky spots. Explore further on the south side where fewer people travel and pass a secluded swamp frequented by a passing train. Optional side trip to Emerson Cliff offers a short steeper challenge.

Southeastern Massachusetts

Group hikes offered by the DCR Southeastern Mass Adult Walking Club are often 3-4 miles using natural trails and sometimes paved roads in a variety of state parks including Wompatuck State Park, Freetown-Fall River State Forest, Nasketucket Bay State Reservation, and Nickerson State Park.

A wide, leaf-covered trail at Demarest Lloyd with views
of the water through trees.

Borderland State Park, Sharon:

Pond Walk Loop: 2.9 miles of unpaved carriage trail among a few ponds, with trails branching off onto steeper terrain offering optional challenge.

Demarest Lloyd State Park, Dartmouth:

Georges Pond Loop Trail/Un-named trail loop - 1/2 to 2 miles - From the far parking area in this southeast coastal park, natural trails make for an interesting scenic exploration. The Georges Pond Loop Trail is 1/2 mile round trip into dune shrub habitat and along the pond. From the far end of the lot, when the water is low, another excursion is possible exploring oak woodlands along the salt marsh with open views on a natural maintained trail. There is no park map, and these trails are not listed in AllTrails, so this explore is for adventurers who don't need a map to stay found.

Namskaket Path at Nickerson State Park.

Nickerson State Park, Brewster:

Namskaket Sea Path - 1 mile mostly hard sand footpath among dunes on the bay side of Cape Cod.

Cliff Pond Loop - 3.2 mile trail around a kettle pond's edge with some moderate climbs among pitch pine, dry oak woodlands, while passing sandy beaches.

Northeastern Massachusetts

Great Brook Farm State Park, Carlisle:

Pine Point Loop - 2 miles of moderate terrain doubles as a cross-country ski trail when conditions permit in winter.

Stone Row Trail - 2.4 miles of moderate and varied terrain passes interesting stone formations

Acorn Trail - 3 miles of relatively easy terrain offers secluded experience and options to shorten the experience if needed.

An older hiker with cane crossing a stone bridge
at Maudslay State Park.

Maudslay State Park, Newburyport:

Merrimack River Trail - 2 miles or more if you choose, exploring the roads and trails of a former estate along the Merrimack River on moderate terrain amidst woods and fields.

North Central Massachusetts

Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, Princeton:

Pine Hill Trail to Summit - 1.4 mile round trip, advertised by DCR as a "moderately strenuous" climb (600 foot elevational gain) to the summit from the park visitor center. This forested hike requires hiking up and down stone stepways. 

Mt. Watatic, Ashburnham:

Summit Hike - 2-mile round trip forested climb (613 foot elevational gain) to a view that includes Boston.

A hiker enjoys the fall foliage view from an 
overlook at Wendell State Forest.

Wendell State Forest, Wendell:

Ruggles Pond Loop - 2-mile loop around a mostly forested shallow pond with a large beaver lodge, some rocky, rooty, and wet sections with bog bridges.

Wickett Pond Loop - 2-mile loop around a shallow pond with active beavers in mostly forested area and a shrub land created by a tornado many years ago.

Hike to Overlooks - 2 miles with options to extend distance and a cliffside portion that reaches two overlooks. Mt. Greylock is visible from the second one. Footpaths, dirt roads, with some rocks and roots.

Connecticut River Valley

An orange blaze on a tree marks the Robert Frost Trail.

Three long distance trails represent opportunities to hike selected sections, either as unique hikes or to complete the whole trail.

Pocumtuck Ridge Trail - a 15-mile trail along the Pocumtuck Ridge stretching from Turner's Falls to Mt. Sugarloaf in Sunderland. Terrain is generally considered moderate with some steep and rocky sections, most notably in Rocky Mountain Park in Greenfield, and Mt. Sugarloaf in S. Deerfield. Loop hikes that include part of the Pocumtuck Ridge Trail and scenic vistas on relatively moderate terrain can be found at Rocky Mountain Park, Woolman Hill Retreat Center, and N. Sugarloaf.

Robert Frost Trail - a 47-mile trail from Wendell State Forest to the Mt. Holyoke Range with a full range of hiking terrain most steep and rugged along the Holyoke Range. The easiest section is a mainly flat 3.5-mile segment through Lawrence Swamp in S. Amherst. My personal favorite and most hiked section is out and back at Stoddard Hill in Leverett, a gentle climb from Route 63, with rocks and roots along a narrow, less traveled footpath.

New England Trail - 95-miles from border-to-border in Massachusetts. Expect more challenging and strenuous hikes in almost all the sections. There are some flatter/easier and/or low elevation parts in Southwick and between Wendell State Forest headquarters and Lake Wyola.

Lake Bray Loop at Mt. Tom.

Mt. Tom State Reservation, Holyoke:

Bray Loop Trail - 2-mile hike that begins and ends on an accessible trail at Lake Bray and is considered "easy" in relation to other trails in the park. There are some long grades and a brook crossing, otherwise the trail is mostly wide and well-traveled.

Mt. Sugarloaf State Reservation, Sunderland:

North Sugarloaf hike - a 3+ mile forested excursion starting from Hillside Road in Sunderland allowing for travel along the Pocumtuck Ridge trail as part of a loop hike accessed by an entry trail from the parking lot. A side extension along the ridge loop brings you to a scenic vista and there are a couple of trail choices for the return. Expect some rocky travel with moderate grades. Avoid hiking to or from trail-linked South Sugarloaf if you have issues with footing, otherwise, it is possible to create a longer hike of 4-5 miles incorporating both mountains it you are comfortable with a steep ascent of South Sugarloaf, which can be achieved by trail or paved road.

Berkshires

A rustic bench view of a pond in Beartown State Forest.

Clarksburg State Park, Clarksburg:

Pond Loop Trail - This 3-mile wooded trail on moderate terrain circles Mauserts Pond, travels over bog bridges, and offers scenic views of the pond and surrounding hills. Interpretive stops at numbered posts correspond to a self-guided brochure.

Beartown State Forest, Monterey:

Benedict Pond Loop Trail - 1.7-mile loop through different forest types includes rocky footpaths and a dirt road on moderate terrain, with a bench at the water's edge along the way, and a self-guided interpretive brochure. 

Mt. Greylock State Reservation, N. Adams:

Greylock Glen Meadow Loop - a 1.7-mile long road-like hike through moderate terrain with long gradual grades undulating through field and forest edge.

A wrap-up reminder to plan well before you go to ensure your safety and success. This list represents a wide range of trails and is not a guarantee that any recommendation will match your abilities. It is also recommended to wear blaze orange if you are hiking during hunting season. 

Happy Trails!

New Accessible Trail with a View in Hubbardston, MA

Bench and view of Mt. Wachusett.

          I'm quite impressed with a newly constructed accessible trail that I learned about this summer. I was able to visit the 1-mile round trip trail while it was still under construction, then just revisited last week to experience the final results. If you live mid-state, especially in the northern tier, I highly recommend this hidden gem 15 minutes off Route 2. It will lead you gently and clearly to a lovely overlook with benches to enjoy a view of nearby Mt. Wachusett and a large glacial erratic known as "Dottie Rock".

Accessible parking spot at trailhead.

          The Dottie Rock Trail is located in the Malone Road Conservation Area. I find that putting Malone Road, Hubbardston, in my phone/GPS works well for driving directions, since the conservation area is at the end of the mile long road.

          Once there, you'll find an open circle where cars can park in a field near the forest edge. Park close to the trailhead if you wish to avoid shallow grooves in the lot. There are no bathrooms and no marked accessible parking, although there is a parking space meant for this purpose near the trailhead map. 

New Trailhead Signage Helps Trail Access

A sign next to a trail at Harold Parker State Forest.

          The Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is introducing new trailhead signage on selected trails statewide this fall. Trails that are considered reasonably accessible for people using mobility devices will have Trail Access Information signs at the starting point. 

          Trail Access Information (TAI) signs follow U.S. Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines to provide a quick reference to the elements of the trail experience, such as length, slope, cross slope, trail width, surface, and obstacles. The new TAI signs should help people preview the trail to determine if they can or want to use the trail.

A portion of a TAI sign showing trail surface info.

          DCR's Universal Access Program developed TAI signs, as well as directional and trailside signage, to improve everyone's ability to locate designated trails in a park, understand and follow them successfully.         

Six icons show different trail surfaces.

   

Great News About Accessible Trails!

A group hike on the Noble View All Persons Trail.

Welcome to Everyone Outdoors again! It's time to resurrect this blog to keep everyone informed about new developments in accessible and adaptive recreation. More than ever, it is vital to get outdoors and refresh yourself in nature!

I'm Marcy Marchello, DCR's Universal Access Program Recreation Manager. I've been coordinating adaptive recreation in Massachusetts State Parks for almost 30 years. One of my special projects is accessible trails. In recent years I've been measuring trails for accessibility and developing a graphics and signage system to convey trail access information. More on that later. Here is some good news about accessible trails in Massachusetts:

Meet Abby and Discover Easterseals Massschusetts

      Big Thanks to Patrick Remy from Easterseals MA for this joyful story of success that highlights the personal transformation and benefits possible in adaptive recreation programs. Easterseals MA is offering their adaptive pool program this summer at DCR's Bennett Field Pool in Worcester. If you live in the Worcester area, don't miss out! Contact Patrick at premy@eastersealsma.org to sign up!

Abby's confidence grew so well she assists the swim program!

       Abby and her mother Michelle have shared an incredible bond since before she was born. While in utero Abby was diagnosed with Tuberous-sclerosis which has symptoms that include seizures, intellectual disability, developmental delay, and lung and kidney disease. Michelle has been Abby’s biggest advocate since the moment she learned of her diagnosis and Abby is quite attached to her mother.

Accessible Birding in Winter

Thank you Meghadeepa, for sharing your personal experience and recommended strategies for birding with disabilities in winter!  This article is reprinted with permission from Bird Observer, February 2023, Volume 53, Number 1, www.birdobserver.org 

Birding from the accessible gazebo at Longmeadow Flats.
Photograph by Steph Almasi.

Many folks are content limiting their birding to the abundance of spring. Seems like a smart decision. I live in small-town and rural Massachusetts, where the climate can create dangerous outdoor conditions for the six months that we split between Thanksgiving blizzards, actual winter, and faux spring. Tall snowbanks block crosswalks and views. Parking lots that are plowed on a somewhat predictable schedule are unpredictably left unsalted. Black ice surreptitiously creeps up on you when you least expect it. And even on the most popular “accessible” birding trails and bike paths, you must fend for yourself once frozen precipitation hits the ground. When you get out the door, the subzero temperatures and wind chill will surely turn your limbs into ice. And these are just the barriers that nondisabled birders experience in northern winters.

Parks with Canals Offer Best Access to First Day Hikes

Winter view along the towpath shows a frozen canal.

        A visit to Riverbend Farm in Uxbridge offers a unique opportunity to walk along a historical canal. I stopped there this week to check out accessibility of both the "towpath" and the exhibits at the Visitor Center. This location is on DCR's offerings of First Day Hikes on January 1, 2023. 

        First Day Hikes are especially worth mentioning since this national phenomenon first started at a DCR State Park in 1992. There are seven Massachusetts State Parks offering a First Day Hike for 2023. Of the seven, two parks have reasonably accessible trails, both along canals. The Great Falls Discovery Center, adjacent to the Canalside Rail Trail in Turners Falls near Greenfield, is offering a 3-mile excursion along the paved trail and Riverbend Farm has a 1.5-mile trek planned on its towpath. Both outings offer hot chocolate back at the Visitor Center afterwards. Hiking the full distance is probably not a hard and fast requirement to achieve the reward! 

Refresh Yourself with Adaptive Winter Recreation in Worcester and Beyond

A skater using with a walker.

        This week I stopped by Buffone Rink in Worcester to meet with the supervisor about our upcoming adaptive skating programs. While there, I treated myself to skating on the ice and found myself wonderfully refreshed afterwards. There is something magical about gliding in cool air - it clears the mind and refreshes the lungs - two things most of us could use during a season of so much time spent indoors.

        DCR's Universal Access Program is finally returning to Worcester since the pandemic started, to bring some winter fun opportunities to the area. We will be at Buffone Rink at 284 Lake Ave. on Mondays January 16, February 27 and March 20 from 1-3:30pm. Advance registration is required. Find more information at the end of this post.    

Mt. Tom Trailhead North Park Offers New Accessible Hiking Trail

      

The parking lot with Mt. Nonotuck distant.

         I broke out of office confinement on a sunny,  late November weekday afternoon to check out the new accessible trail at Mt. Tom Trailhead North Park in Easthampton. It was the right choice! Anticipating a relatively flat trail, I was surprised to find an accessible trail on a low mountain slope that climbs to a view.

        A 9-car parking lot at approximately 108 East Street is located at the foot of the western slope of Mt. Nonotuck. When I arrived, the lot was almost full, and once I parked it was full for cars not requiring one of the two accessible parking spaces. These spots were vacant. As I was getting ready to walk the recently constructed trail, a couple of cars came looking to park and left. Be aware that this Trailhead Park is a trailhead indeed, leading on to other hiking trails up the mountain. It's already a popular spot for hikers.

Unpaved Trails For All - More Equity Needed to Nature's Health Benefits

Unpaved trail in Keene, NH offers river views.

        I recently had the pleasure of meeting Meg Bandarra, of Unpaved Trails For All, an organization she started to promote accessible trails with less constructed elements to help people connect better with nature. Trails designed for mobility devices can often feel like a track laid down in nature, especially when entirely paved or designed with wood edges and boardwalks. We don't have enough accessible trails - whether paved or unpaved - and I too have a deep appreciation for trails that feel as natural as possible. As a person with a disability whose life was changed when she discovered unpaved trails designed for mobility devices, Meg is a perfect spokesperson for this cause.