As we head into the busy holiday season, it’s often tough to find time to take a break and enjoy the trails. But getting out in the fresh air has some serious benefits this time of year – you can reduce stress, burn off those holiday cookies, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of our New England winter. Sometimes a quick 20-30 minute is just enough. Here’s our Top 5 list for short winter hikes, all of which have trail head parking and relatively flat terrain. Click on the property name for directions and trail maps.
Appleton Farms & Appleton Farms Grass Rides, Hamilton
To access either property, park at the Grass Rides parking lot off of Highland Street. Walk down the allee and you have two options available. Turn left and you can follow the farm road to enjoy views of the Great Pasture and wide open hay fields. Continue straight and you enter the Grass Rides, a network of grass-covered carriage paths through the woods. Dogs are permitted in the Grass Rides, but not on the farm side of the property. Options abound in the Grass Rides and you could make a loop anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. On the farm side you’ll need about 30-40 minutes to loop around the hay fields and back over the hill.
Myopia Schooling Field, Hamilton
Park at the back parking lot for Patton Park (behind the ball field, near the shuffle board courts). You can make a short loop using the dirt road through the middle of the field that would take about 15-20 minutes, or follow along the edge of the back fields over to the polo arena for a longer walk. A great spot to let your four-legged friend stretch his legs too!
Mill Pond & Pipestave Hill, West Newbury
Both areas are access off of Rt. 113 in West Newbury. You can park at the lower Mill Pond lot or the upper Pipestave Hill lot. A wonderful 30 minute short loop will take you up a gradual hill to the back hay field, along the edge of the ball fields, and down through the cross-country schooling area, most of which is open and sunny. For a longer walk, an extensive network of trails winds through the woods and over to the corn fields on Chase Street. Popular spot for off-leash dog walking.
Julia Bird Reservation, Ipswich
There is a small parking pull off for 2-3 cars along Waldingfield Road in Ipswich. The wooded trail winds it’s way back to a huge open field with a dirt track. Walk around the edge of the track for a longer walk or cut straight over to the river for a shorter loop. Beautiful views looking down to the Ipswich River.
Bradley Palmer State Park, Topsfield & Hamilton
Park at the main entrance off of Asbury Street in Topsfield. With an extensive trail network and a paved road running through the middle of the park, Bradley Palmer offers a wide variety of hikes ranging from 15 minutes to several hours. We like this area for short winter hikes because it’s hard to get lost… if you get turned around, just find your way back to the main road and it’s an easy walk back to the car.