Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/976908
115 wade over to Little Misery Island for more exploration. WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE: e ruins of vacation homes and an early-20th-century resort dot the edges of Great Misery Island. TRAIL TO TRY: e Coastal Trail traces the perimeter of Great Misery Island, offering ocean vistas and an overview of the island. NUTS AND BOLTS: Accessible by canoe, kayak, or dinghy. Ferry service from Salem available: $35 for adults; $28 for children. Visit sea-shuttle.com for details. More information on the islands available at 978-526-8687 or thetrustees.org. . RAVENSWOOD Gloucester THE EXPERIENCE: e ocean is less than a half-mile away, but enter Ravenswood and you're immersed in a forested network of trails that could have you forgetting you're in a seaside town. From a shade-shrouded swamp boardwalk to a wide historic road, each trail has its own distinct character. WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE: Kids will enjoy the Hermit's Haven Quest, a treasure hunt that uses clues to guide an exploration of the trails. TR AIL TO TRY: e Ledge Hill Trail offers a two-mile loop through the forest that will have you scrambling over glacial boulders, skirting vernal pools, and enjoying views of Gloucester Harbor. NUTS AND BOLTS: Free parking. 481 Western Ave. (Route 127), Gloucester, 978-281-8400, thetrustees.org. DANVERS RAIL TRAIL Danvers THE EXPERIENCE: Built along the former route of the Boston-to-Maine railroad, this 4.3-mile trail is a wide, easy walk that takes visitors by historic properties, local cafés, public art, and forested conservation areas. If you're eager for more exploration, the path links to trails in Peabody, Wenham, and Topsfield. WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE: Download the Danvers Rail Trail app for interactive maps, trail news, a photo gallery, and local business listings. TRAIL TO TRY: A 1/3-mile loop, Danvers- Wenham Swamp Walk is a wooden boardwalk that wends through marshland and swamp, offering possible glimpses of beavers and deer. NUTS AND BOLTS: No admissions fees. For parking locations, visit danversrailtrail.org. Clockwise, Ravenswood, Danvers Rail Trail, and Maudslay State Park. PHOTOGRAPHS, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP, R. CHEEK, COURTESY OF DANVERS RAIL TRAIL, BY BETH GLASMANN