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Hiking/Biking on Cape Ann
Gloucester
- Dogtown, Gloucester. The center of the Cape Ann peninsula largely consists of 3,000 acres of forest known as Dogtown. Features of the park include an abandoned 18th Century farming village, huge glacial boulders and terminal moraines, and birdwatching.
- Mount Ann Park, off Essex Ave., West Gloucester. Rock climbers will enjoy the challenge of a climb up the face of "Red Rocks". Nearby Hardy Mountain offers the best views of Essex and Ipswich Bays. On a clear day, both the Isles of Shoals and Mt. Agamenticus in Maine are visible.
- Rafe's Chasm Reservation, Magnolia. Rafe's Chasm is a 10 foot wide chasm that extends for 200 feet from the ocean. As there is no good public access, the chasm is best seen by boat.
- Ravenswood Park, Route 127, Magnolia. Ravenswood is a beautiful wooded area in the Magnolia section of Gloucester. The park offers excellent hiking trails through many old-growth stands of pine.
- Ten Pound Island, Gloucester Harbor. The tiny island has a picturesque lighthouse and commands a great view of scenic Gloucester Harbor. Unless you want to swim to the island, it is only accessible by boat.
- Stage Fort Park, Gloucester. Site of Gloucester's first settlers in 1623. Remains of the fort itself, used for the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War, are still well-preserved. The park also has two beaches and a playground.
Rockport
- Halibut Point Reservation, Rt. 127, Rockport. A beautiful coastal State Park filled with old granite quarries. The park is a favorite with scuba divers, and offers the hiker great views up the Atlantic coast.
- The Headlands, Downtown Rockport. A rocky path extending alongside the entrance of Rockport Harbor. Excellent views of both Sandy Bay and the harbor.
Manchester-by-the-Sea
- Agassiz Rock, School Street. A short hike through the woods leads to this geological oddity. See how the melting glacial ice left this huge boulder in a precarious position.
- Coolidge Reservation, Summer Street (Route 127)
Manchester-by-the-Sea. Short wooded trails lead to beautiful seaside lawn and corner of Magnolia Beach.
- Masconomo Park, Downtown Manchester. Lovely park near the center of town which offers fine views of Manchester's harbor.
Essex
- Cox Reservation, Rt. 133. Explore the marshes of Essex Bay on hiking trails that abut the Essex River.
- Stavros Reservation, Rt. 133. A short uphill hike leads to a spectacular view of Essex Bay.
- Crane Wildlife Refuge/Hog Island, Essex Bay. Refuge includes beautiful Crane Beach in Ipswich and several islands in Essex Bay.
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