Sunday Morning Hike- Pigeon Hill St. to Norton Forest

Join us for a hike that will take us from upper Pigeon Hill St. in Rockport to the beautiful Norton Memorial Forest, a majestic pine forest designed and planted by M.I.T. professor Frederick Norton in the 1930s-60s, and today owned and managed by the New England Forestry Foundation.

Our route will take us down Johnson Rd. and west along Old Lanesville Rd., until we swing southwest to do a big loop through and around the Norton woods. Along the way we will pass through highland and lowland areas, with changing mix of vegetation, and will get an up-close view of an impressive beaver dam as well.

See the map and route here.

This is an easy to moderate hike, about 4 miles, with normal ups and downs, and plenty of roots and rocks underfoot. Allow 2 – 2 ½ hours.

Meeting spot: We will meet at the far upper end of Pigeon Hill Street in Rockport, which is best accessed from Curtis Street. Curtis Street runs off Route 127/Granite St. in two places.

Coming from Lanesville/Gloucester, Curtis is on the right about a half-mile beyond Halibut Point State Park. Coming from Rockport, it is on the left just after Pigeon Cove Post Office (on right) and just before the old metal “Tool Company” building.

Please note that dogs are not permitted on the Sunday Morning Hikes.  We have a Dog-Friendly Hikes group which is now repeating each Sunday Morning hike the following month.  You can join the Dog-Friendly Hikes Google group from our home page to get announcements of each Dog-Friendly hike.