Pigeon Hill Quarries Loop(edit)

based on 4 tracks & routes | |

EASY

2.6 mi

Distance

1 hrs 29 min

Time

167 ft

Elev Gain

Overview

This is a moderate loop trail in Rockport, Massachusetts. It traverses some of the many trails in the municipal land surrounding the granite quarries in the Pigeon Hill section of Rockport that were last worked prior to the Great Depression. These quarries are now filled with ground and rainwater. During late spring, ladyslippers (wild orchids) are in bloom in many spots along this route.

Getting Started

Most streets in the area are signed for resident-only parking, so consider parking at the Granite Pier (on Wharf Rd just north of the Keystone Bridge on Granite St, MA Route 127). The hike starts and ends in the Granite Pier lower level and passes under the Keystone Bridge.

Taking Children

Caution: the trail passes near some very steep cliffs overlooking the various quarries, none of which have guard rails.

This is an alternate route for Dogtown woods via Rowe Avenue and Pasture Road.

Sights to See

Dogtown woods

Rate this Hike

★★★★★

pschwarz 5 years, 5 months ago

History, vistas, lady slippers (in season) -- what's not to like? View from rim of Flat Ledge Quarry is worthwhile: out to ocean beyond the east rim of the quarry, and iron oxide deposits in the granite wall on the north rim of the quarry makes it the "Grand Canyon of Cape Ann". Soapsuds Quarry (just west of Flat Ledge Quarry) is a small quarry with delicate pine boughs and flower blooms (in season) that give it a bit of Japanese garden ambience.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Public Tracks

MonicaLawton 5 years, 5 months ago

Pigeon Hill Quarries (3) from Granite Pier, 6/2/2019

Foggy and cool today (50s), but the woods were beautiful, all leafed out now with bright spring green foliage. Lady slippers were in full bloom all through the area -- along with bluets, winterberry and many other tiny wildflowers. Jeff Hildonen of Pigeon Hill Quarry Assn. was at Steel Derrick to greet us, so we stopped there for a chat. Passed by 4 quarries on this hike -- Flat Ledge, Steel, Butman' and Carlsons -- the latter being the site of our group photo. Another large group today - 27 in all. Led by Mary Catherine Kingsley. Total distance was just under 2.5 miles and we were back to the cars by 11:45.