Sunday Afternoon Hike...Walking the Marblehead Rail Trail

My View from Barnacle Restaurant at Lunch in Marblehead

After a particularly rainy evening, the fall sun shone bright and beautiful. I wanted a hike. I hadn't hike since early Spring at Crane Beach so I was hot, so to speak, to get my hike on.

I realize that Marblehead, being 4.5 miles from Salem is a nice hike through Marblehead Rail Trail Hawthorn Pond Conservation Area (about 10+ acres) just past Salem College and straight to the outskirts of Marblehead center.  

View of Salem from the trail

Straight Walk to Marblehead

Flowers Along the Trail

The trail was in full bloom with the occasional bike, baby stroller and runner. 

There are several places to take a side step through to the Hawthorn Pond. As you start on the trail you can turn right to Wyman Woods and wetlands area with beautiful views of Salem Harbor. 

I however, decided to go straight to Marblehead harbor for lunch.

I had been to Barnacle's before but not on foot. I came out of the trail head at Besson Street and then a nice walk down Washington Street. The main thorough fare through town. Marblehead, like Salem, was settled by sea merchants.

Typical Home in Historic Marblehead

Historic Plaques Grace the Homes

Little Flower Shop on Washington Street

I knew I was pretty close to the harbor and finally I saw a familiar street and knew I was close to the Barnacle Tavern right on the water. Good food and a perfect day for lunch outside. 

Afterwards I took a short stroll up to Fort Sewall (named after Supreme Court Justice Samuel 
Sewall) that sits right on a wall above the harbor.  The views of Marblehead head are breathtaking. The fort was constructed during the American Revolution but probably its greatest claim to fame was when in 1814 the U.S.S. Constitution hid out there from the British ships.

What a day and what a view! Not a bad way to spend a Sunday!