hiking trails of plymouth

Sea Side Trail

If you are hiking trails in Plymouth,

a good start is the Sea Side Trail. 

Also known as the North Plymouth Rail Trail, it follows the older section of rail lines of the Old Colony Railroad that continued on from Cordage Park to Plymouth Center used in earlier days.

This hiking trail measures only slightly more than a mile, but it is the gateway to many other hiking opportunities in the area.

It ends at the parking lot at the far end of Nelson Park which is a grand end indeed!

On the journey there it passes by the Holmes Reservation.

Putting these three together can make a full day of recreation.

Many in the area use this route as an alternate way to the center rather than the busy streets of Court or Water.

Starting from the parking lot on Hedges Rd, the Sea side trail starts as a divided paved bicycle path.

Very quickly it turns into a fine packed gravel surface. The trail runs alongside some condos on the left of the trail. Even so, the journey is exceptionally quiet and peaceful with except to the occasional small private planes that fly overhead.

Both sides of the trail become heavily vegetated, especially with grapevines.

About 1/4 mile a ridge forms to the left and then fencing appears. Several sea side homes are noticeable behind the fencing.

At 1/3 mile the pavement and line division appear again and the trail intersects Atlantic St.

The sea side trail continues straight but at the end of Atlantic St are some alternate trails.

One runs along the grass at the side of the ocean.

Most likely part of the Holmes Reservation.

There is another rocky trail down to the beach that can be used at low tide.

At this intersection there is another parking option for one vehicle at the side of the road.

After this intersection there are some limited ocean views on the left.

The trail again changes back to gravel and on the right between rails still left in the earth, a rock garden has been planted!

At just over 1/2 mile the sign to

Holmes Reservation is on the left.

There are side trails both ways here.

To the left will bring you to the public beach portion of the Holmes Reservation.

click the rock for the GRACE Trail map!

To the right are some stones marking the way to the Grace Trail.

This hiking trail leads through as a cut grass trail through the field.

Love this exercise and a better place couldn't be found to help reset your life!

At .61 miles the pavement appears again, more condos on the left and an intersection with Robbins Rd. 

More parking is available along side this road as well.

Continuing once again straight, at .78 miles the ocean view opens up fully and a resting bench is found on the right.

Though sitting on the bench the view will be slightly blocked.

At .83 miles the pavement returns

and at .88 miles the parking lot

to Nelson Playground appears.

There is a narrow sandy path that

continues as the rail trail and

leads out to Water St.

for another .10 miles.

At Nelson Playground there is more beach, benches, a splash pad in the summer, abundant parking and goose point cafe.

The cafe is seasonal (too bad!) serving local sourced and fresh organic foods.

Lots of water fun

at Nelson Playground!

Still open till October!

Lunch only 11-3.

Yummy!

Lots of beach and

beautiful scenery!

From here, as the tide was low, I continued on, following the shoreline to the Plymouth Breakway.

1. South Shore Hiking Trails
›
2. Plymouth
›
3. Seaside Trail