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Paved Trails

North Plymouth Rail Trail

Plymouth Parks & Forestry: 508-830-4162, ext. 12116

https://www.plymouth-ma.gov/finance-department/pages/north-plymouth-rail-trail

Owned By: Town of Plymouth

Also known as the Seaside Rail Trail and the Grace Trail, the 1.2-mile all-access North Plymouth Rail Trail connects Nelson Memorial Park to the Cordage Park commercial area. Extending along the shoreline, it offers spectacular views of a salt marsh and the ocean, as well as Plymouth Beach and Kingston Bay. It consists alternately of pavement, concrete, and crushed stone. Stroller- and wheelchair-friendly.

Features

Beginning in 1845, a branch the Old Colony Railroad extended 36.8 miles from Boston to Plymouth, passing through Quincy, Braintree, Weymouth, Abington, Whitman, Hanson, Halifax, and Kingston. Much of this route is now the MBTA Commuter Rail. A portion of the final section, from Cordage Park in North Plymouth to Nelson Park — just north of Plymouth’s harbor and downtown — was converted to rail trail in the 2010s, funded partially by the Community Preservation Act.

For the first 30 years of the Old Colony Railroad, the locomotives were named, including (on this branch) Mayflower, Governor Bradford, Governor Carver and Myles Standish. The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad took over control of the Old Colony Railroad in 1893, with a 99-year lease. Year-round passenger service continued more or less until 1959, when the Southeast Expressway was completed. Seasonal service continued for a few more years. The MBTA commenced its commuter rail service on this line in the 1990s.

This land is within the region of the Patuxet, members of the Wampanoag tribe. To learn more about local tribes, we encourage you to interact with their members. The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe and the Herring Pond Wampanoag both share information on their websites. 

Trail Description

This approximately 1.2-mile trail is relatively flat. It is composed alternately of pavement, concrete and crushed stone, and is generally navigable for strollers, bicycles and wheelchairs. There is a 0.2-mile side trail in the middle that leads up onto a cliff overlooking the ocean. Also in the middle, the trail directly abuts the Holmes Reservation where you can extend your excursion by walking around the perimeter of the field.

The northern (Cordage Park) end of the trail can be a little confusing. When you arrive at the parking area at Hedge Road, look to the right for Sandri Drive. Turn left onto Sandri and continue through two chainlink fence gates. The trail snakes past a brick warehouse building and then runs in a straight line along the shore. At the end, it makes a sharp turn to the left. A boardwalk leads to the terminus at Cordage Park, where there is additional parking.

Habitats and Wildlife

The trail passes through several different habitats including salt marsh, open field, sandy beach, a bramble-filled thicket, and a cliff overlooking the ocean. Trees growing alongside it include oak, cedar, birch, pitch pine and sumac. The entire trail is located within the watershed of Plymouth Bay/Cape Cod Bay.

  • A photograph of a paved trail bordered with grass and trees.
  • A photograph of a crushed stone trail with some old railroad rails beside it.
  • A photograph of a crushed stone trail overlooking a salt marsh and ocean.
  • A photograph of a paved trail through a grassy area with scattered trees.
  • A photograph of a bench on a grassy hill overlooking the ocean, with scattered trees.
  • A photograph of a wide paved trail with scattered trees.
  • A photograph of a wide paved trail beside a parking area.
  • A photograph of a cliff overlooking a beach.
  • A photograph of a parking area at the end of a trail, with trees to one side.
  • A photograph of a wide trail through a forested area with a concrete whistle-stop marker in the foreground.
  • A photograph of a trailhead and property sign, with a boardwalk, plus a brick building and ocean in the background.
  • A photograph of a boardwalk with a commercial area in the background.
  • A photograph of a roadway with a gate, with an industrial building in the background.
41.967825, -70.673366

Historic Site: No

Park: No

Beach: No

Boat Launch: No

Lifeguards: No

Size: 1.2 mile

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Parking: Parking available at Nelson Memorial Park, Cordage Park, at the end of Hedge Road, at the Holmes Reservation, and also along Atlantic Ave.

Cost: Free

Trail Difficulty: Easy

Facilities:

Ocasional benches. Pet waste and trash receptacles. Geocache location.

Dogs: Dogs must remain on leash.

Boat Ramp: No

ADA Access: Yes

Scenic Views: Yes

Waterbody/Watershed: Cape Cod Bay watershed

Other Things to Do at This Site

Grassy Walks
Hiking