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Hiking

Hubbell Preserve

121 Indian Trail, Scituate, MA 02066, USA

Scituate Conservation: (781) 545-8721

Owned By: Town of Scituate

Located in a quiet corner of North Scituate, the Hubbell Preserve features trails through the woods and across moss-covered outcroppings of rock, with several small stream crossings. It is a lovely place to explore!

Features

At Hubbell, there is so much variety within a relatively small area! Granite outcroppings and glacial erratic boulders provide a fascinating contrast to the wetland and forest areas. Other features include old stone walls and small streams.

The property is named for Richard Hubbell, who donated a portion of the land to the Town of Scituate in the 1960s. Sixteen additional acres were purchased more recently, for conservation. The location — and in fact the entire neighborhood around the street known now as Indian Trail — was in earlier times a summer encampment for Native American tribes.

This land is within the region of the Massachusett (or Massachuseuk). To learn more about local Native American tribes, we encourage you to interact with their members. The Mattakeeset band of the Massachusett, and the Massachusett tribe at Ponkapoag, both share information on their websites. 

Trail Description

A single trail of approx 0.7 miles in length traverses this property. Toward the northern entrance there is a very small loop. The trail is narrow, and at times either root-covered, rocky, or steep. There are three stream crossings. Walking with a friend, or a walking stick, is recommended. This is a beautiful and varied property, well worth exploring in all seasons.

Habitats and Wildlife

Beginning from the Indian Road entrance, the trail extends through an oak and hickory forest, past moss-covered granite outcroppings, and alongside a wetland containing tupelo, maple and birch. The trail proceeds uphill (some sections are steep) into a pine-oak-hickory forest, with some holly, beech, and cedar and plenty of greenbrier. On the other side of the hill are three stream crossings and a beautiful grove of beech trees.

Some of the avian species commonly seen here include nuthatches, chickadees, woodpeckers, and warblers, plus hawks and owls. Look for deer in the dense wetlands, red squirrels in the trees, and amphibians in the stone walls.

  • A photograph of a trailhead at the edge of the woods with white signs.
  • A photograph of a forest trail alongside a rocky outcropping.
  • A photograph of a trail across the top of a rocky outcropping, with lots of moss.
  • A photograph of a small pond in a woodland.
  • A photograph of a trail leading up a small mossy hill in the forest.
  • A photograph of a stone wall in the woods.
  • A photograph of a trail winding through a woodland.
  • A photograph of a trail that extends through the woods alongside some boulders.
  • A photograph of a trail through a pine forest.
  • A photograph of a large mossy boulder with some trees.
121 Indian Trail, Scituate, MA 02066, USA

Historic Site: No

Park: No

Beach: No

Boat Launch: No

Lifeguards: No

Size: 40 acres

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Parking: Very limited roadside parking near the two property entrances: 128 Indian Road and 154/162 Old Gannett Road. No dedicated parking lot.

Cost: Free

Trail Difficulty: Easy, Medium

Facilities:

Geocache location.

Dogs: Dogs must remain on leash. Scoop the poop!

Boat Ramp: No

ADA Access: No

Scenic Views: Yes

Waterbody/Watershed: Musquashcut Brook (Gulf River watershed)

Other Things to Do at This Site