A Hiker’s Guide To Essex County, MA
1. Halibut Point State Park
- Location: Rockport
- Highlights: Coastal views, rocky shoreline, historic granite quarry.
- Trail Length: 1.6 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
2. Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Topsfield
- Highlights: Wetlands, forests, and a variety of wildlife. Boardwalk trails.
- Trail Length: Over 10 miles of trails
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
3. Bradley Palmer State Park
- Location: Topsfield
- Highlights: Rolling meadows, woodlands, and river views.
- Trail Length: 20 miles of trails
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
4. Ravenswood Park
- Location: Gloucester
- Highlights: Glacial erratics, diverse ecosystems, scenic vistas.
- Trail Length: 10 miles of trails
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
5. Mount Ann Park
- Location: Gloucester
- Highlights: Wooded trails, scenic overlooks, views of the Atlantic Ocean.
- Trail Length: 2 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
6. Ward Reservation
- Location: Andover
- Highlights: Pine forests, open meadows, Boston skyline views from Holt Hill.
- Trail Length: 10 miles of trails
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
7. Dogtown
- Location: Gloucester
- Highlights: Historic ruins, boulders with carvings, diverse landscapes.
- Trail Length: 25 miles of trails
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
8. Boxford State Forest
- Location: Boxford
- Highlights: Dense forests, ponds, and streams.
- Trail Length: 100 miles of trails (network of trails)
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
9. Middlesex Fells Reservation
- Location: Medford (partially in Essex County)
- Highlights: Wooded trails, panoramic views from Wright’s Tower, reservoirs.
- Trail Length: Over 100 miles of trails
- Difficulty: Easy to difficult
10. Willowdale State Forest
- Location: Ipswich and Topsfield
- Highlights: Wooded trails, ponds, streams, and diverse wildlife.
- Trail Length: 40 miles of trails
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
These hikes offer a range of experiences, from coastal walks to forest treks, ensuring there’s something for everyone in Essex County.
