I recently went on a hike and had a rather unusual encounter. As I was making my way along the trail, I noticed a figure up ahead. At first glance, I thought it might be another hiker or perhaps a park ranger, but as I got closer, I realized it was something else entirely. It was a witch. She stood there, leaning on a wooden staff, with long flowing robes and a pointed hat. Her silver hair cascaded down her back, contrasting against her wrinkled face.
Blue Hills #1 and Blue Hills #2 are a 2-mile and an 8-mile hike through the Blue Hills in Milton, Massachusetts, just south of Boston. The Blue Hills are an ancient landmark used by very early indigenous people of the area and it is suggested that the Native American words for Blue Hills (Masua Tuset) gave rise to the state�s name, Massachusetts. It is known that the Blue Hills were a renowned meeting place for the local native peoples, and it is also known to be an area quite rich in flint, a stone used quite extensively by the local inhabitants of the time in making arrowheads and other simple tools.
The Blue Hills are an ancient landmark used by very early indigenous people of the area and it is suggested that the Native American words for Blue Hills Masua Tuset gave rise to the state s name, Massachusetts. It is known that the Blue Hills were a renowned meeting place for the local native peoples, and it is also known to be an area quite rich in flint, a stone used quite extensively by the local inhabitants of the time in making arrowheads and other simple tools.
Her silver hair cascaded down her back, contrasting against her wrinkled face. It was clear that she was not your typical hiker. Curiosity getting the better of me, I mustered up the courage to approach her.
Witch on a hikr
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Copyright � 2002; The Witch Trail Committee
Blue Hills #1 and Blue Hills #2 are a 2-mile and an 8-mile hike through the Blue Hills in Milton, Massachusetts, just south of Boston. The Blue Hills are an ancient landmark used by very early indigenous people of the area and it is suggested that the Native American words for Blue Hills (Masua Tuset) gave rise to the state�s name, Massachusetts. It is known that the Blue Hills were a renowned meeting place for the local native peoples, and it is also known to be an area quite rich in flint, a stone used quite extensively by the local inhabitants of the time in making arrowheads and other simple tools.
Both trails begin at the Trailside Museum. The shorter #1 trail is a less difficult and shorter trail recommended for the younger youth. It goes to the top of �Big Blue� and returns to the museum, while the longer and more difficult #2 trail goes a quarter of the way around the base of �Big Blue� and up the steeper, more rugged southwest face. Both trails come to the top of �Big Blue� where hikers can climb an observation tower and see spectacular views of Boston and the Boston Harbor to the north, the towns of Dorchester and Quincy and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island to the south. On a clear day, visitors can see the White Mountains of New Hampshire as well as the northern tip of Long Island, New York.
Along the trail, hikers can observe native vegetation and wild life. This is an excellent area for a nature hike if familiar with the local flora and fauna. During the summer months there are wonderful �high bush� blueberries ripening along the trail. It is recommended that hikers bring drinking water as well as a snack. In addition, it is recommended that hikers wear a good pair of supportive hiking boots as the terrain can be rugged and or slippery at times.
| Item # | WTCBH1 |
| Price | $2.50 |
Pirate Legend Trail (10 mile hike recommended for older youth and adults) and Pirate Legend Trek ( 4 mile hike for all age groups) are both circular hikes in Lynn Woods in the town of Lynn, Massachusetts. This area is rich in pirate history from the mid 1600�s. A nearby bog iron works in Saugus, Massachusetts was a coastal location frequently visited by pirate ships in need of shackles, handcuffs, hatchets, chains and other iron articles. The Iron Works is operated by the National Park Service today and is a very popular attraction. 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. One man escaped to Lynn Woods and lived there in a cave for several years before taking up residence in the village of Lynn. The cave is still a very popular site with visitors. Local stories tell of a treasure that was taken into Lynn Woods by pirates and buried there. Many people have searched for the treasure, digging in the bogs and swamps and even into solid rock, but no one has ever claimed finding the treasure.
| Item # | wtcpltp1 |
| Price | $2.50 |
| Item # | wtcptp1 |
| Price | $2.50 |
Leslie�s Retreat is a 6 or a 10 mile hike from Marblehead to Salem, Massachusetts.
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 19 th, and explains why the British troops were so tense at Lexington Green.
This trail can be hiked as either a one-way six-mile hike from Marblehead to Salem or as a ten-mile roundtrip. The trail can be hiked year round. Allow 3 to 4 hours for the one way and 5 to 6 hours for the round trip.
| Sights along the trail include: |
| Fort Sewell, a revolutionary fort and gun emplacement built to safeguard Boston harbor from British invasion. |
| Marblehead Town Hall, where hikers can view the original painting of The Spirit of �76. |
| The South Bridge where residents removed planks to slow the progress of the advancing British troops. |
| Site of the old mill where the colonists had stored the cannons and munitions. |
| The north bridge across the North River where Minutemen had raised the drawbridge and a tense verbal encounter took place between them and the British commander, Colonel Leslie. |
| The Minuteman Statue marking the point at which the Minutemen had stood their ground and stalled for time while the cannons were hidden and other militia men could arrive to lend support. |
The Sons of Liberty Trail is 10-mile hike from Lexington to Concord, Massachusetts 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.
This trail follows city streets and busy county and state roads and is not recommended for youth younger than 12 years of age; however, the sights in Lexington and Concord, as well as those along the way are certainly worth while for the younger set if the group is being followed or accompanied by vehicles.
The trail begins at Lexington Green where about 40 Minutemen met the British who were marching to Concord to confiscate colonial cannons. This is the sight of the �shot heard �round the world.�
The Spirit of �76 Trail is a two mile hike through the historic town of Marblehead, Massachusetts on the North Shore of the Boston area. This trail was designed with younger hikers in mind.
| Sights along the trail include: |
| The original painting �The Spirit of �76� in the Town Hall |
| The homes of Col. Jeremiah Lee, King Hooper, Gen. John Glover |
| The 1680 Tavern |
| The Lafayette House |
| Lovis Cove |
| Ft. Sewell, a revolutionary fort and gun emplacement built to protect Boston Harbor |
| Old Burial Hill, final resting place of over 600 revolutionary soldiers |
| The Witch House |
| The home of Eldridge Gerry, a signer of the Declaration of Independence |
| St. Michael�s Episcopal Church |
| Tory Headquarters, a meeting place for colonists loyal to the King |
| The Old Town House, where General Glover recruited the first US Marines during the Revolutionary War. |
| Item # | WTCS76M1 |
| Price | $5.00 |
| Item # | WTCS76M2 |
| Price | $5.00 |
| Item # | WTCS76M3 |
| Price | $5.00 |
The quaint little North Shore town of Danvers, Massachusetts, 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.
Hikers will see among other things, the Wadsworth House where once stood the original home of an accused witch, foundations of the Reverend Parris� house where his West Indian servant first told island stories of voodoo and witchcraft to impressionable young girls, the Ingersoll House where several of the accused were first questioned, Watch House Hill where a new church was built after the hysteria to reunite the people under the Reverend Green, the Haines House whose owner testified against witches who were later hanged, the home of Sarah Holten who testified against the 71 year old Rebecca Nurse, the home and grave of Rebecca Nurse, a reconstruction of a house which was used to interrogate and examine several of the women after the initial accusations, and the Charter Street Burial Ground where several famous people of the witch hysteria were laid to rest.
Several of the sites along the way are open for tours; prices may very from site to site. Other sites can be toured by prearranged appointment.
| Item # | WTCSP1 |
| Price | $5.00 |
| Item # | WTCSW3D |
| Price | $5.00 |
| Item # | WTCSWRD |
| Price | $5.00 |
You can’t beat the views. The summit isn’t bald by any stretch. That said, there are a few vistas. It was a bit hazy today, not at all a curve-of-the-earth day, but the views were still quite spectacular. This is one to do in the wintertime, because on a bluebird day, you’re not going to have enough fingers to count the major peaks that you’ll see. Trust me on this. As it was, everything from Garfield to South Kinsman was there, as were both Twins. To the west? I might have seen Mansfield (haze was an issue, and looking west in the late afternoon helped nothing in that regard) but I know for sure I saw Camel’s Hump.
She looked up at me with piercing green eyes and a sly smile. "Greetings, fellow traveler," she said, her voice both gentle and authoritative. "What brings you to these woods?" I explained that I was simply out for a hike, hoping to enjoy the beauty of nature and escape the stresses of everyday life. She nodded knowingly, as if understanding the exact reason for my expedition. "You seek solace and connection with the world around you," she said, her voice carrying a hint of wisdom. "Nature has a way of grounding us, reminding us of our place in the grand scheme of things." Her words resonated with me, and I couldn't help but be drawn to her presence. I asked if she lived in the woods, to which she replied, "I call these woods my home, but I also wander far and wide, seeking knowledge and magic." We spent the next hour walking and talking. She shared stories of her travels, tales of encountering mythical creatures and discovering hidden treasures. She spoke of the healing powers of plants and the importance of respecting the natural world. As we neared the end of the trail, the witch paused and turned to face me. "Remember, my friend, that magic resides in every aspect of life," she said. "Whether it be the rustling of leaves, the song of a bird, or the warmth of sunshine on your skin, embrace the enchantment that surrounds you." With those parting words, she disappeared into the trees, leaving me with a profound sense of wonder. It was a hiking experience unlike any other, one that reminded me of the mysterious and magical qualities that can be found in even the most ordinary of places. And so, I continued my hike, feeling renewed and inspired by the encounter with the witch on a hike..
Reviews for "The Magick Within: Exploring Hiking as a Witch"
1. Alice - 1 star - I was really excited to read "Witch on a Hike" as I'm a fan of fantasy books, but I was hugely disappointed. The story was slow-paced and lacked any excitement or suspense. The characters were one-dimensional, and I couldn't connect with them at all. Additionally, the writing style was simplistic and didn't do justice to the magical world the author was trying to create. Overall, I found the book to be boring and would not recommend it to others.
2. Mark - 2 stars - "Witch on a Hike" didn't live up to my expectations. The plot felt disjointed and the pacing was off, making it difficult to stay engaged. The protagonist lacked depth and development, resulting in a lack of emotional investment. Furthermore, the worldbuilding was weak, leaving many unanswered questions and unexplored potential. While the concept had promise, the execution fell short and I found myself struggling to finish the book.
3. Sarah - 2.5 stars - I had high hopes for "Witch on a Hike," but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations. The story lacked originality, following tropes and clichés that are common in the fantasy genre. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to believe in the interactions between the characters. Additionally, the pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, I found the book to be mediocre and was left wanting more depth and complexity in both the plot and characters.