Center Hill Preserve Redux

As soon as businesses closed, it was time to hit the trail. Granted right now many trails are also closed, including this walk to Center Hill Preserve in Plymouth. (Here’s a list of ten great walks that are still accessible in the South Shore). I hope that soon Center Hill and other nature preserves and sanctuaries will be open again. I already wrote about this spot once before on Backyard Road Trips, but this time I explored even more of the park. 

The seaside portion of the preserve consists of a short trail from the parking lot to the sea. It’s a perfect trail for children since it’s an easy walk on various terrain that leads to a rocky beach. The path begins under a canopy of pine. A bend in the trail passes by a pond. The path eventually becomes sandy as it inches closer to the ocean. Once on the beach, we looked for any basking seals on the rocks; sadly, during this visit there were none. The beach is rock-strewn but perfect for exploring. It’s also amazing to have free ocean access since many towns in Massachusetts are private or charge admission for the smallest saltwater excursion.

Onto the other side of the Center Hill Preserve

Given the short length of the seaside trail, we decided to explore the other areas of Center Hill Preserve this time. The trails on the woodland side seem to meander this way and that. After letting the kids decide which way to venture, we eventually came to the highlight, an old cranberry bog. Entering the bog area from the woods, it came as a surprise. We walked about halfway around the former bog before diving back into the woods. Soon enough we were back on a familiar path and after that, back to the parking lot. For all the times I have been to Center Hill Preserve, it was my first time exploring this side of it. It was a real gem which I would definitely go back to.

Center Hill Preserve is located on Center Hill Road in Plymouth.