AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes
Phoenix Bike Trail, Fairhaven MA.jpg
John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0
Nasketucket Bay State Reservation

Eel Pond–Nasketucket Bay State Reservation Beach, 5 sights

5.7 mi · ▲ 82 ft · 1 hr 56 min

Eel Pond–Nasketucket Bay State Reservation Beach, 5 sights is a 5.7-mile out-and-back in Nasketucket Bay State Reservation near Mattapoisett, MA. The route passes Eel Pond before reaching Nasketucket Bay State Reservation Beach at the turnaround, 2.8 miles in. It is mostly level, with 82 ft of elevation gain. It scores 9/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi0 – 66 ft5.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Mattapoisett Rail Trail 41.65332, -70.82357
Nearest town Mattapoisett, MA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Eel Pond–Nasketucket Bay State Reservation Beach, 5 sights

5.7 mi · ▲ 82 ft · 1 hr 56 min

Elevation -0–64 ft

Out & Back · Nasketucket Bay State Reservation

Trailhead: Mattapoisett Rail Trail · 41.65332, -70.82357

Weather Aug 4: sunrise 5:41 AM · sunset 7:59 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Mattapoisett Rail Trail, heading NW.
  2. 500 ftPass Eel Pond.
  3. 1.3 miTurn left onto Shaw Farm Trail, heading SW.
  4. 0.9 miBear right onto Bridle Trail, heading S.
  5. 0.3 miTurn left onto Holly Trail, heading S.
  6. 0.3 miPass Nasketucket Bay State Reservation Beach.
  7. 50 ftReach Eel Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  8. 0.3 miTurn right onto Bridle Trail, heading W.
  9. 0.3 miBear left onto Shaw Farm Trail, heading NE.
  10. 0.9 miTurn right onto Mattapoisett Rail Trail, heading N.
  11. 1.4 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/nasketucket-bay-state-reservation-beach-out-back-9-km-9682

Trail surface

52% dirt42% paved6% boardwalk

Weather

Sunrise 5:41 AMSunset 7:59 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.4 mi in (~61 min). Leave by 6:38 PM for the 7:59 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:14 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Mattapoisett Rail Trail Trailhead

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