HEALTH & FITNESS

Hingham and the South Shore area have so much to offer for the sports enthusiast. Here are a few of our favorite places.
Running

There are plenty of running options in Hingham with the paved sidewalks throughout town. Check out Map My Run or the USATF website to find or create new running routes.

Cool Running and Active.com are also great websites to reference when looking for local area running events.

Here are a few local races coming up this month:
  • 3/13/10: 4th Annual Panther Prowl 5k
  • 3/14/10: St Patricks Day 5 K Race and Walk South Boston
  • 3/21/10: The Half of Quincy Historic Quincys Half Marathon Quincy, MA
  • 3/27/10: Feed the Need 8th Annual Run/Walk 5K Hingham, MA Wompatuck State Park
  • 4/11/10: 34th Cohasset Rotary Road Race by the Sea 10K Cohasset, MA
Yoga

Open Doors (Hingham): Open Doors Yoga recently opened a Hingham studio on Rte 3A, by Marshalls & Stop & Shop. www.opendoors7.com

Balance Studio (Cohasset): Is offering a new student special of $40 for 1 month of unlimited yoga, pilates & balance barre classes. http://www.balancestudiocohasset.com/
Mountain Biking

Blue Hills:
Milton, MA
The Blue Hills Reservation is one of the premiere mountain biking areas in Eastern Massachusetts because of its extensive trail system and varied terrain. Bordered by six cities and towns..
From the guidebook "Mountain Bike America: Boston"

Myles Standish State Forest:
Plymouth, MA
If you decide Plymouth can wait, explore the trails through the park, including the paved bike path (a good portion of this ride) or explore the many horse / hiking / biking trails that wind through the dense forest.
From the guidebook "Mountain Bike America: Boston"

Wompatuck State Park:
Hingham, MA
Wompatuck State Park offers 262 wooded campsites (140 of them with electricity), 12 miles of paved bicycle trails, and many miles of wooded bridle paths and hiking trails. Wompatuck also offers beginner mountain bike classes the first Saturday of every month from April - October - please stop by or call Wompatuck for more details

As found on: http://www.trails.com/toptrails.aspx?area=10039
Hiking

Blue Hills Reservation
Ten miles south of downtown Boston. Three day hikes of varying length and difficulty explore key features of the Blue Hills chain. Special attractions: vistas, observation towers, historic weather station, diverse forest, rock features, wildlife sightings, fall foliage.
From the guidebook "Hiking Southern New England"

Bare Cove Park:
Hingham, MA
Bare Cove Park consists of 469 acres located along the banks of the Weymouth Back River. Bare Cove Park's many miles of paved roadways and woodland trails are ideal for walking, jogging, bicycling, or peaceful contemplation.

World's End Reservation
Hingham, MA
Rolling hills and rocky shorelines offer sweeping views of the Boston skyline, while tree-lined carriage paths designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted make delightful walking trails.

As found on: http://www.trails.com/toptrails.aspx?area=10039
Kayaking

Hingham Harbor and Bumpkin and Grape Islands
Hingham Harbor is an excellent starting point for kayakers who want to visit the Boston Harbor Islands but wish to stay within relatively protected waters. This trip offers two interesting harbor islands, a smattering of Hingham’s own tiny islands in Hingham Harbor and World’s End, a beautiful park owned by The Trustees of Reservations. Additional attractions include Nantasket Beach
From the guidebook "Sea Kayaking Coastal Massachusetts"

North River - Hanover to Scituate Harbor
Coursing through expansive marshlands beneath wooded drumlins, the North River is a superb place for a quiet paddle. In early summer or fall, when boat traffic is light and the marsh is alive with birds, this trip is truly magical. The finest time is autumn, when golden grass surrounds your boat, oak- and maple-covered hills light up the horizon, and red-tailed hawks hang in the sky above.

As found on: http://www.trails.com/toptrails.aspx?area=10641