is always plenty to watch, from day sailors cruising around the point to migrating birds. And watching the ocean meet the barrier of the rocky coast is spectacular in all weather and in all seasons.
After spending some time pondering the coast, make your way northwest, keeping the breaking waves to your right. No walk along here is ever the same, as the tide level determines your route and your ability or inclination to leap across chasms. Beware of low tide, when kelp and sea moss clinging to rocks can make for treacherous footing.
Looking ahead, you will see a mountain of granite blocks tapering steeply to the sea. Walk along the base of this granite behemoth for a good look to appreciate the hours of sweat and strain represented by this pile of castoffs. Though forces of nature have reshaped the pile, it was quarrymen who heaved the stone here.
The land at Halibut Point State Park was once home to an active granite quarry.
Once you have taken in this impressive sight, backtrack to a broad, sandy trail leading right. The trailhead is not formally marked, but a sign warning of the dangers of swimming off the point alerts you to the turn, as does the miniature Stonehenge just inside the bend. Impromptu artists have arranged palm-sized quarry remnants into intriguing sculptures in a sandy enclosure just off the path.
Follow the gravel trail back uphill; once at the top, bear right to continue to the lookout on the peak of the mountain of quarry debris. The trail here remains firmly packed dirt and gravel, and the ascent is quite gentle. From this point, on a clear day, you can see as far north as Maine’s Mount Agamenticus and the Isles of Shoals off the coast of New Hampshire, and Plum Island and Newburyport in the nearer distance. If you really want a sweeping view of the surrounding ocean and up into the mountains of southern Maine, visit the observation tower, which was used as a lookout post during World War II.
Leaving the peak, walk back toward the visitor center and the observation tower. To tour the grounds, turn right and follow the wide path west past birch, sumac, and cedar trees. A short way farther, turn onto the Bayview Trail to head back toward the sea. This trail descends steeply and then rises again as it curves west. Looking up, you’re likely to see a flock of cormorants fly by, traveling from rookery to fishing grounds.
Curving back uphill, the Bayview Trail loops southwest past a grassy overlook. A small trail to the right leads to another lookout. Returning to the Bayview Trail, follow it to its end, then continue straight ahead on a wide gravel path.
Look for a sign for the Back 40 Loop, and take this grassy route west, walking downhill before swinging left to head south once more on this peaceful lane.
Closing the loop, you find yourself back at the clearing where you began. From this junction, continue straight to join the trail that leads to the rear of the visitor center. Keep left to pass in front of the visitor center and rejoin the path that leads back to the parking lot.
Legend has it that the first house built on Rockport’s hardscrabble turf was erected around the bend from Halibut Point in 1692. The “Old House,” as it is known locally, was built by two young men from Salem for their mother, who had been condemned at the Salem Witch Trials. Spared death because she was pregnant, the woman was expelled from the community and exiled to the wilderness of Cape Ann. Bears, wolves, and Agawam Indians lived there as well, and a handful of hunting shanties built by settlers of Ipswich accented the landscape.
Soon after building himself a cabin at the spot, resident John Babson discovered a bear living nearby. Not interested in having such a neighbor, he hunted it down, skinned it, and strung its hide over a rock by the sea to dry. Passing fishermen saw the bear’s shaggy remains and dubbed the rough spit of land Bearskin Neck.
GPS TRAILHEAD COORDINATES N42° 41.200' W70° 37.883'
DIRECTIONS From Boston, take US 1 to MA 128 N (toward Gloucester). At the first traffic circle in Gloucester, go three quarters of the way around and take MA 127 toward Pigeon Cove. Continue approximately 5 miles, passing through Annesquam and Lanesville into Rockport. Turn left onto Gott Avenue; the parking lot is on the right.
6 NASKETUCKET BAY STATE RESERVATION
DISTANCE & CONFIGURATION: 2.75-mile double loop
DIFFICULTY: Easy
SCENERY: Woods, former farmlands, views of Nasketucket and Buzzards Bay
EXPOSURE: A mix of sun and shade
TRAFFIC: Light
TRAIL SURFACE: Flat packed dirt, grass, beach sand, rocks
HIKING TIME: 1–2 hours, depending how much time you want to spend on the beach
DRIVING DISTANCE FROM BOSTON COMMON: 60 miles
ELEVATION: 21' at trailhead, no significant elevation gain
SEASON: Year-round
ACCESS: Open sunrise–sunset; free
MAPS: On a kiosk in the parking lot and at tinyurl.com/nasketucketmap
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: Wheelchair users can access the full length of smooth, firm Bridle Trail (although it can get a bit wet if there has been a lot of rain).
FACILITIES: None
CONTACT: Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation and Resources, mass.gov/locations/nasketucket-bay-state-reservation, 617-626-1250
LOCATION: 94 Brandt Island Road, Mattapoisett, MA
COMMENTS: This is a great family hike that ends up on a rocky beach where you can hike and hang out.
Nasketucket Bay State Reservation is a unique mix of grasslands, woods, and shoreline.
ONCE OPEN FARMLAND, this reservation now offers wooded trails, open fields, and access to a classic rocky New England beach on the waters of historic Buzzards Bay.
DESCRIPTION
Once you arrive at Nasketucket Bay State Reservation, from the kiosk at the head of the parking lot you can follow a short connector path to the start of the Bridle Trail. Rolling wide and flat over a swath cut through woods and weeds, the trail bends farther west to meet the Meadow Trail just ahead.
If you would like to make a slight diversion, just before the Meadow Trail is an unmarked (as of researching this edition) trail to the right. This is the relatively new Shaw Farm Trail and bike path. It takes you on an excursion of slightly more than a mile through an open field along a majestic column of massive oak and maple trees, through some densely forested swamp, and along the far edge of the Shaw Farm. A simple out-and-back about a mile each way from the Bridle Trail, it’s quite a scenic hike if you’d like to add this into your plans.
If
