Plymouth is home to a wide array of natural beauty and wildlife. To truly 
experience all that Plymouth has to offer you have to immerse yourself in the New England wild.
The 10 hiking trails in Plymouth listed below will give you the opportunity to see several different natural communities, an abundance of trees and flowers, and some friendly creatures.
Top 10 Hiking Trails in Plymouth:
Center Hill Preserve Trail
Address: 158 Center Hill Road, Plymouth, MA 02360
Length: 1.7 miles
Located along the 78-mile preserve the Center Hill Preserve trail provides outstanding views of Cape Cod Bay. Located within the preserve are 10 different types of natural communities including forests and a cranberry bog.
The preserve also gives you access to a mile-long stretch of beach. It is one of the few spots on the Cape where the forest naturally grows right up to the coastal beach.
Clear Pond Trail
Address: Clear Pond Rd, Plymouth, MA 02360
Length: 1.25 miles
Clear Pond Trails is a beautiful easier hike that circles around a pond and a previously operational cranberry bog. You’ll come across a wide variety of flora and fauna along your trek.
Clear Pond used to be known as Narragansett Pond due to a battle that took place at the site. A tribe of Pockonokets of the Wampanoag Nation defeated a Narragansett war tribe here and disposed of the dead in the pond.
Eel River Preserve
Address: 204 Long Pond Rd., Plymouth, MA 02360
Length: 2.5 miles
The trail follows along the 1.5-mile Eel River stream. The lands surrounding the stream were preserved to restore 40 acres of cranberry bogs to their natural 
status.
Additionally, during your hike, you will come along with the 17,000 Atlantic Cedar Swamp trees that were planted. Once these trees reach maturity, the preserve will become the largest Atlantic Cedar Swamp in the state.
Russel Mill Pond Conservation Area
Address: 204 Long Pond Rd, Plymouth, MA 02360
Length: 1.5 miles
If you are looking to extend your day after walking through the Eel River Preserve you can head across the road to the Russel Mill Pond Conservation Area. The main highlight of the trail is a gorgeous pedestrian footbridge installed in the place of a deconstructed dam.
While walking along the trail, keep an eye out for white-tailed deer and red-tailed hawks.
Crawley Woodlands Preserve
Address: 331 Billington St, Plymouth, MA 02360
Length: 2.5 miles
Located between Lout Pond and Billington Sea the Crawley Woodlands Preserve is the perfect place to take an afternoon hike after a long morning of fishing. You’ll be rewarded with a nice stroll through over 70 acres of woodlands.
The main trail in the preserve can be rather strenuous as there are a lot of hills. Also, exercise caution if you are going on the trail during the winter or after a rainstorm.
Hedges Pond Recreational Area and Preserve
Address: 158 Hedge’s Pond Road, Plymouth, MA 02360
Length: 2 miles
The 2 miles of hiking trails around Hedges Pond will take you through old forest growth and stunning views of the pond. There are several break-off points throughout the trails that allow you to descend to the pond.
If you are looking for a fun activity after your hike, the recreational area is home to a numerous number of facilities including basketball courts, tennis courts, a playground, and horseshoe pits. Additionally, there is beach access with lifeguards on duty.
Foothills Preserve
Address: 81 Beaver Dam Road, Plymouth, MA 02360
Length: 1.5 miles
The Foothills Preserve is a great place to see wildlife, along with a natural restoration process in action. Several thousand dollars’ worth of seeds and saplings have been planted on the preserve in what will no doubt become one of the most beautiful sites in the state. Make sure to stay on the trail to avoid damaging the development.
The trail is great for those looking for an easier hike as it is flat. You’ll come across several boardwalks and bridges which add to the beauty of the preserve.
Indian Brook Conservation Area
Address: 1197 State Road, Plymouth, MA 02360
Length: 1.1 miles
The trail is new as it was opened in September of 2021. It’s a flat path connecting the playground across Indian Brook Road to Shallow Pond.
The trail is unique as it was originally a game trail established by deer walking through the area. Keep an eye out for several extremely large pine trees while on your trek.
Dixon Preserve at Hio Hill
Address: 1190 Old Sandwich Road, Plymouth, MA 02360
Length: 1 mile
The land for this trail was purchased by the Town of Plymouth just to allow visitors to access the gorgeous views at the top of Hio Hill. So, while the hike may short, it is well worth the visit.
Waiting at the top of the hill is a gorgeous ocean view, where on a clear day you can see as far as Wellfleet and Eastham. Along the way, you will come across glacial erratic’s, large boulders, and an extremely large pitch pine.
Town Forest
Address: 127 Long Pond Rd, Plymouth, MA 02360
Length: 3 miles
The Town Forest is home to four beautiful ponds: Little South Pond, Cook’s Pond, Great South Pond, and South Triangle Pond. The trails allow you to access all four ponds and will also connect you with Wild Land Trust’s Luigi and Teotista preserve, which can add several miles to your hike.
These trails should be avoided during hunting season, as there is a notable hunting area near Cook’s Pond.
Exploring the hiking trails in Plymouth
There are not only a great many hiking trails in Plymouth but also a wide variety of terrain, so you can vary your route and explore more of the historic area.
Please check out our website for more information about hiking trails on Cape Cod and the Islands.
