Hiking Near Gay Head Lighthouse on Martha’s Vineyard
When it comes to hiking, Northern New England gets all the love from hardcore outdoorsmen. Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine are home to some of the tallest, most rugged mountains on the east coast. But Massachusetts has plenty to offer hikers as well. From the island of Martha’s Vineyard in the east to Mount Greylock in the extreme west, here are three of our favorite hikes in and around Boston.
Blue Hills
For sheer convenience, there’s no better place to get outdoors near Boston than Blue Hills Reservation. This large, 7,000-acre is only minutes from the city yet feels worlds away from its downtown hustle. The park’s 125 miles traverse 22 mountaintops within the Blue Hills chain, providing varied terrain for hikers, bikers, and folks just out for an easy stroll. While the highest of its peaks, Great Blue Hill, tops out at a paltry 635 feet, the sweeping views of the city from its summit are arguably the best in the Boston metropolitan area.
Martha’s Vineyard
As an island, Martha’s Vineyard squat stature doesn’t attract many technical hikers looking for a real challenge. But the island’s unique landscape provides some truly beautiful and unique hikes along its coast. Great Rock Bight is a real standout that takes hikers on a relatively easy hike through the island’s brush, ending on a lovely bluff overlooking Vineyard Sound. As an added bonus, the adjacent beach can only be reached on foot so, even during the summer months, it’s never crowded and you may well have it all to yourself.
From downtown Boston, one of the easiest ways to travel to the island is via a guided coach tour. This day trip to Martha’s Vineyard includes roundtrip transportation via mini-coach between Boston and Falmouth, as well as a ticket aboard the ferry to and from the island.
Mount Greylock
For a full hiking day trip, Mount Greylock is about as far from Boston as one can drive and still be in Massachusetts. At “only” 3,491 feet high, it pales in comparison to the four- and five-thousand footers of northern New England. But, for hikers looking to “peak bag” the tallest mountains in each state, Mount Greylock is a must-do. Its landscape is rugged enough to keep even seasoned hikers interested, yet it’s a relatively easy hike that can be accomplished in a day. From the summit, hikers can take in panoramic views of the Berkshires that, on a clear day, extend up to 90 miles in every direction.
-Contributed by Mike Richard
The 3 Best Hikes in and Around Boston from Boston Things to Do