ON THE SHORE
Cape Hedge Island (1) - While Cape Hedge is a well known Rockport beach, the island between it and Long Beach is a miniature treasure for exploring or snuggling with a special someone at sunset and a bottle of red. Accessible from the parking lot at the end of Seaview St.

Loblolly Cove / Emerson Point (2) - Another secluded spot great for surf fishing or picnics in a rocky crag. A wonderful close view of Twin Lights (Thacher Island) awaits those who walk a few minutes over granite shards. Accessible from Old Penzance Road via South St. at Turks Head Inn.

Eden Road / Flat Ledges (3) - Eden Road is one of those roads where the residents prefer it to be a wreck so no one drives through. Access it from South St. or via Penzance Road. More close views of Thacher Island and a "Way To" path to the rocks.

Whale Cove Landing (4) - A plaque for Samuel D. Champlain on a chicane of South St. marks the entrance to this gem. Follow it to the end past a horse farm and be respectful when parking. Either walk to the right along the cliff gently down to the landing or delve right down steeply towards the water through a natural path. Driftwood and other flotsam thrives here. Large popples also.

Gap Head (5) - While Marmion Way is one of those popular trails a local takes to scope out a nor'easter wave or two, Gap Head is meant to be viewed in all climes. It's proximity to Straitsmouth Island is never more appreciated.
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The Headlands (6) - The overlook capital of Cape Ann. A wonderful bench laden dome of granite and grassy picnic patches with views of the village steeples and the elevated perspective of sails on Sandy Bay, the breakwater, Dry Salvages and Straitsmouth Lighthouse. Accessible off South St. via Norwood Ave. to Atlantic Ave.

Granite Pier / Old Stone Bridge (7) - Along Granite Street one crosses over a keystone granite bridge into "God's Country", Pigeon Cove. Immediately after the crossing, swing right to be splashed with an elevated view of Sandy Bay. Descend to the base and curl to the right. A short walk from the dry docked fleet is the under belly of the old bridge and the adventurous ones will continue on up to various quarries.

Pigeon Cove Harbor (8) - Further along Granite Street, one comes to an opening with a quick glimpse of the water just after the Cove chapel. Taking a right after the old Cape Ann Tool Company, find your way down to the Pigeon Cove Coop Fish Market. The shacks and fleet offer a wonderful serene element of closeness that downtown Rockport does not.

Cathedral Ledges (9) - Just up the shore dirt road from Pigeon Cove Harbor is Cathedral Ledges. Also accessible from Cathedral Ave. next to the Ralph Waldo Emerson Inn this is a popular diving spot and lazy afternoon picnic locale.

Andrews Point (10) - Well down Phillips Ave. off Granite St., past mansions and wooded lots, is Point De Chene Ave. which opens up to the Atlantic at Andrews Point. A public "Way To" allows for picnics on the rocks with views of Thachers Island and Sandy Bay to the south and the New Hampshire and Maine coast to the north.
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Halibut Point State Park - Alternate trail (11) - Halibut Point State Park off Route 127 has been a wonderful utilization of public land gone federal for Rockport. It's self- guided tour of the quarry and granite industry alone is worth the hike. However, when exiting the parking lot, go further along Gott Ave. and NOT into the main entrance of the park. Following instincts, one comes to an alternate path that skirts private land. This path with its canopy of thickets and gentle slope to the water opens up into a grand view of Ipswich Bay and the northern coasts and is a great adventure in a snowstorm or nor'east gale.

INLAND
Dogtown Boardwalk (12) - A while back someone decided that the access to a wooded swamp would be a great idea. What a thought. This gem is in the thickets of Dogtown, not far from Whales Jaw. Best access is from the parking lot at the top of Summit Ave. Follow the road to the water tower and then a path on its south side. This old fire trail is marked by spray painted dots on the trees when it gets grown in and narrow. When you come to the concrete damn, look for the boardwalk on your right. (Trail maps of Dogtown Common are available at the Toad Hall bookstore in Rockport)

Cape Pond path (13) - Cape Pond is the water supply for Rockport. Accessible from Beech Grove Cemetery, this path is a bit long and arduous and is tremendously buggy in summer months. You pass Kelly's pond first then follow a well marked fire road to the Pond.

Landmark Lane (14) - Drive up Landmark Lane from Granite Street across from the Yankee Clipper Inn on Rt. 127. The water tower on top marks its summit. While growth has all but stifled what once were wonderful views of the coast to the north, the fields on the south are wonderful picnic area's overlooking the village.

South Woods path (15) - This is a rather short woods hike from the base of the 4th tee of the Rockport Golf Club to the South End water tower. It can be buggy in the summer and can be very muddy even after a modest rainfall.
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