Friends' Loop

The Friends’ Loop begins at the East Entrance Parking Lot off Long Pond Road in Myles Standish State Forest. From the trailhead, follow the well-marked Frost Pocket Bike Trail a short distance, then turn left onto Friends’ Loop Trail. The path winds through tall pitch pine and scrub oak woodlands, crossing glacial moraines and rolling through terrain typical of the region’s sandplain habitat. Occasional uneven sections give this hike a moderate rating and make it well suited for hikers and mountain bikers alike. About halfway through, you’ll reach a junction with the longer Pine Barrens Path, which offers an option to extend your trip. This trail travels through a unique coastal ecosystem and is open year-round, though snow or ice is possible in winter. There are no reliable water sources along the trail, so bring your own. Tick exposure is common in warmer months, and blaze orange is strongly recommended during hunting season. The trail ends where it began, offering a rewarding walk through one of the best sandplain landscapes in coastal Massachusetts.