Trail Stewardship
What you can do to help!
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Become a Member
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2021 Events
Save the dates!
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The North Shore area has extraordinary recreational trails. Since 1982, Essex County Trail Association has worked to protect and preserve hundreds of miles of trails in Essex, Hamilton, Ipswich, Topsfield, Wenham, and West Newbury. With the help of our team of trail stewards and many volunteers, ECTA maintains and repairs these trails in partnership with public and private landowners, land trusts and local conservation commissions. Our members provide a vital source of funding for trail projects. Come explore these incredible trails, and help us continue our work by supporting ECTA.
Please Join or renew today!
UPCOMING EVENTS

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TRAIL ALERTS
Trail Alert: Trail Stewardship

Now that the snow has melted it’s surprising to see how much debris is out there on the trails! This is a great time to pitch in while you are out enjoying the warmer weather. Clearing sticks and

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Trail Alert: Trail Closure

Green Gate Trail off Winthrop Street in Hamilton is closed

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LATEST NEWS
Equine Tack & Paraphernalia Sale

We are getting ready for our 26th Equine Tack & Paraphernalia Sale to be held on August 21, 2021 in the arena building, Topsfield Fairgrounds! Book your sales space or donate equine related items

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Thanks for the Trails 5K video

 Thank you to all our Thanks for the Trails 5K participants and

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TRAIL-USER REPORTS
SUBMIT A TRAIL USER REPORT

  • Bradley Palmer

    I was told there is a den of coyotes up on Moon Hill somewhere protecting their young.Read more

  • Willowdale – East Side

    Trail #26 to #28 has two very wet and muddy areas. The first area the trail is flooded from the pond across the trail, second …Read more
  • Cogswells Grant, Essex

    Cogswells Grant, Essex

    Eagle! We saw an eagle this morning fly over the field and across the river. Stunning. Too stunned to get a photo, so enjoy these …Read more
WHAT WE DO
Donovan Sagamore Hill Trail
boardwalk trail improvement by ECTA
FIND A TRAIL
Find a trail with our new Trailfinder Tool*. Select from the options on the left to find trails that meet those criteria.

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*Disclaimer: Please bear in mind that ECTA does not own the listed properties and does not guarantee the information as current. We have tried hard to list the allowed activities but some are seasonal-only, weather-dependent, or require a special permit. Landowners may have changed their rules so please follow all posted signage and let us know in the comments or via an email if you notice anything that could be updated. In addition there are some trails which may not yet be listed for certain activities. If in doubt please always check with the landowner.

FEATURED EVENTS
  • 4th Annual Thanks for the Trails 5k (26 Nov 2021)
    on November 26, 2021 at 2:30 pm

    SAVE THE DATE! ECTA is holding its 4th Annual Thanks for the Trails 5k and Kids Fun Run the day after Thanksgiving at Patton Park in Hamilton (November 26, 2021).  The 5k will begin at 10AM on November 26, and the Kids' Run will start at 9:30AM.  Using a scenic and challenging course and offering great prizes, this will be an event for all!  […]

  • 17th Annual Run for the Trails (18 Sep 2021)
    on September 18, 2021 at 4:00 am

    We are very pleased to announce that our 17th Annual Run for the Trails will be held this year on Saturday September 18, 2021! Don't miss out on this great course over some of the North Shore's best trails!  Registration Fee: 5 Miles - $20 ECTA member, $30 non-member 10 Miles - $25 ECTA member, $35 non-member*1st 100 registered guaranteed a […]

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Become a Member
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Don't forget to support us. Your dues keep the trails open!
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Make a Donation
Donations help us preserve and maintain the trails.
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