Five Scenic Strolls On The Southcoast

One of the newest public parks on the Southcoast, The Sawmill is a former 19-acre industrial lumber yard turned natural paradise.

And though you could explore the trees, birds and wildlife across all 19-acres by water or by land...you can also enjoy a short walk for some fresh air.

The park's main trail is just a half mile long through trees and by the water. There are three overlooks to enjoy while you're out there as well as the park's restored red maple swamp.

The 82-acres of Lloyd Center include an oak-hickory forest, freshwater wetlands, a salt marsh and an estuary.

There are 6 different trails in the Lloyd Center, though none are longer than 1.6 miles, so any one you choose will be a nice quick walk.

And those walks will be through stunning scenery, like two of the largest hollies in Massachusetts on the Osprey Point Trail or the blueberries and azaleas on the Wildflower Trail.

The typically quiet 209-acre Nasketucket Bay State Reservation in Mattapoisett features fields, farmhouse ruins, a salt marsh, rocky shoreline and several different trails for varying hike lengths.

You could walk a simple meadow trail for a short hike or venture out across the entire property for a nearly three mile walk.

The paths are open year round and dogs are welcome.

You may not think woods when you think of Fall River, but there are over 500 acres of woods in the city with plenty of trails to hike.

Serious hikers and mountain bikers could head into the Copicut Woods and make their way into the 13,900-acre Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve...but you could also just take a nice scenic walk.

One of the most picturesque trails in Copicut Woods is along Miller Lane, a 150-year old cart path with stone walls lining boths sides and a canopy of trees overhead.

The lane itself in nearly a mile long, so you could go up and back for a nice quick walk...or make a loop around for about 3.5 miles.

If the idea of an old carriage road appeals to you, you can find one in the Great Neck Wildlife Sanctuary as well.

This protected property is "designated a priority habitat of state-listed rare species" according to the Mass Audubon and you can catch glimpses of the herons and horned owls while you walk the four miles of trails housed here.

There are many different loops and trails, taking you through protected forest and out to an overlook of Bass Cove. You could take a quick walk or explore the entire property for a stretched out stroll.