Hiking Trails, Medals & Patches
Most of the hikes described here has a fully multicolored embroidered patch along with a hand poured pewter medal. Cub Scouts can participate in organized hikes at a den or Pack level. When hiking the trails scouts should be in uniform Please see websites listed for locations and how to order and purchase patches and medals. These are generally not paid for by the Pack. For some of the hikes there is a questionnaire that needs to be completed in order to qualify for the medal. The medals may be worn over the left pocket (no more than 3 at a time) or on a scout waistcoat.
The Bedford Flag Trail (Historic Trail - Bedford and Concord, MA)
This trail follows the path taken by the Bedford Minuteman Company on April 18-19, 1775 to the Battle at the North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts. Boy Scout Troop 194 in Bedford, Massachusetts offers a hiking patch and a hiking medal.
The Blue Hills Trails (Historic Trail - Milton, MA)
The hills are located in Boston, Braintree, Canton, Blue Hill you can view the Boston Skyline, Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, Mountains to the north in New Hampshire and all the way to Cape Cod. This is also one of the few places in Massachusetts where seldom seen timber rattlesnakes live, so keep an eye out for them. There is a 2 mile and an 8 mile hike. This is a great place for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts to go hiking near Boston and it's very easy to get to!
The Freedom Trail (Historic Trail - Boston, MA)
This is a 5 mile trail through historic parts of Boston. There is a questionnaire that needs to be completed. The Boston Minuteman Council, BSA, offers a hiking patch and a hiking medal and a pin that you can buy for Scout awards.
The Isaac Davis Trail (Historic Trail - Acton and Concord, MA)
This is a 7 mile trail that runs between Acton and the North Bridge in Concord. This is the same trail that the Acton Minutemen followed to fight the British Red Coats on April 18-19, 1775 in the Battle of Concord. Each spring they hold a Boy Scout Camporee in Acton where Scouts campout and hike this trail with Colonial Minutemen to a battle reenactment and ceremony at the North Bridge. Scouts and Scouters also earn the special hiking patch.
Leslie's Retreat Trail (Historic Trail - Marblehead and Salem, MA)
There are two trails here, a 6 mile trail and a 10 mile trail. This trail traces the British march of February 26, 1775 in search of American cannons. This march was the first expeditionary mission of the British in the colonies and hikers learn how the local residents reacted to the British, what led to the events of April 19th.
http://www.witchtrail.com/wtctrails.htm#lrt
The Pirate Trek and Pirate Legend Trail (Historic Trail - Lynn, MA)
There are two trails here for Scouts to hike, a "Trek" of 4 miles or a "Trail" of 10 miles. This area is rich in pirate history from the mid 1600’s. Legend has it that four pirates made their home in Saugus near what is today called Pirate’s Glen, but were soon found out and pursued by the King’s men. The Witch Trail Committee offers two hiking patches and two hiking medals.
The Pilgrim Trek and Pilgrim Trail (Plymouth, MA)
There are two trails here for Scouts to hike, a "Pilgrim Trek" of 6 miles or a "Pilgrim Trail" of 10 miles. They are both circular trails through Plymouth that start and finish at the information center exit 5, route 3.
http://troop47plymouth.tripod.com/pt1.htm
http://troop47plymouth.tripod.com/pt2.htm
The Sky Line Trail (Historic Trail - Stoneham and Medford, MA)
This is a 7-mile circle trail through Middlesex Fells woods near the towns of Stoneham, and Medford, Massachusetts. The hike is through woods and requires hiking over several hills. Not recommended for younger youth who are not accustomed to long strenuous hiking. The hike is designed to introduce hikers to local Native American custom and culture and to afford scenic views of Boston and the North Shore area. The trail is open year round. Allow approximately 5 hours for this hike.
The Sons of Liberty Trail (Historic Trail - Lexington to Concord)
The Sons of Liberty Trail is 10-mile hike from Lexington to Concord, following the “battle road”. This trail traces the events of April 19, 1775, the beginning of military action between the British and the colonists in the American Revolution. It is a strenuous hike on busy roads.
The Spirit of '76 Trail (Historic Trail - Marblehead, MA)
This trail is 2 miles long through the historic town of Marblehead, on the North Shore of the Boston area. This trail was designed with younger hikers in mind. The area is rich in Revolutionary history as well as legends and stories of witches, ghosts, and pirates
The Witch Trail (Historic Trail - Danvers and Salem, MA)
This trail is 10 miles long and traces the Pilgrim history and their Witch Hunt. The quaint little North Shore town of Danvers, was formerly known as Old Salem Village. We remember Old Salem Village as being the center of the historic colonial “1692 Witch Hysteria”. The Witch Trail is a 10 mile hike from Danvers to Salem, open year round, and will require 4 to 5 hours to complete, depending on the amount of time spent viewing each of the 13 historic sites.