Ten family-friendly hikes in New England
Jeff Romano for The Boston Globe
Myles Standish State Forest
The largest public land in southeastern Massachusetts, the forest is a short drive from downtown Plymouth. Seemingly unchanged since the Pilgrims, this sprawling complex of pitch-pine, scrub oak, and small kettle ponds offers relaxing hiking along 13 miles of trails.
Hike: The 3-mile Healthy Heart Trail circling East Head Reservoir is an ideal introduction to the area. Hugging the shoreline throughout (a few small sections can be muddy), the loop traverses a forest teeming with pink lady’s slippers and ringing with the oft-repeated call of common yellowthroats.
Trailhead: Located on Cranberry Road in Carver at the forest headquarters, east of the forest’s west entrance.
The largest public land in southeastern Massachusetts, the forest is a short drive from downtown Plymouth. Seemingly unchanged since the Pilgrims, this sprawling complex of pitch-pine, scrub oak, and small kettle ponds offers relaxing hiking along 13 miles of trails.
Hike: The 3-mile Healthy Heart Trail circling East Head Reservoir is an ideal introduction to the area. Hugging the shoreline throughout (a few small sections can be muddy), the loop traverses a forest teeming with pink lady’s slippers and ringing with the oft-repeated call of common yellowthroats.
Trailhead: Located on Cranberry Road in Carver at the forest headquarters, east of the forest’s west entrance.