SEM 50 Trail Tribute, a 20-mile hike of the Fall River Bioreserve Loop

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 6 - Strenuous
Trip Leader(s): Paul Brookes, Robin Melavalin, Brian Gollub, Nancy Tutko, Jonah Sakwa-Novak
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX00000139ar
Register By: 5/20/2026
Audience: Everyone

Description: 50 YEARS OF ADVENTURE, CONSERVATION, FRIENDSHIPS For fifty years, the Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club has forged a legacy of adventure, conservation, and community across the forests, peaks, and coastlines of New England. As part of our year‑long celebration, we invite you to take on one of the region’s most ambitious local challenges: the 20‑Mile Bioreserve Loop Hike .
A Strenuous, All‑Day Challenge The Bioreserve is known for its mostly flat terrain, but don’t let that fool you. The 20‑mile distance , 2.5 mph pace , and varied footing, i ncluding rocks, roots, wet areas, and long stretches of uninterrupted walking, make this a true endurance challenge. Expect to be on trail for approximately 9 to 10 hours . Sustained rain will result in rescheduling.
About the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve Stretching across more than 16,000 protected acres in and around Fall River, the Bioreserve offers nearly 50 miles of trails ranging from easy cart paths to narrow, rocky woodland routes. The landscape includes swamps, vernal pools, historic stone walls, old granite bridges, and long stretches of quiet forest. The loop also passes through Copicut Woods, home to the nearly 200‑year‑old Isaac Miller homestead.
History of the Loop Trail The 20‑Mile Loop Trail was created in 2022 to celebrate the Bioreserve’s 20th anniversary. Its development was a major volunteer effort: from April through October 2022, city staff and SEM AMC volunteers spent every Tuesday clearing the route and marking it with blue blazes. The trail officially opened on October 19, 2022, with a community ribbon‑cutting ceremony . Today, the loop stands as a testament to the dedication of SEM volunteers and walking it will be a perfect tribute to those volunteers as a SEM 50th anniversary year activity.
Earn the Loop Patch Hikers who complete the full 20‑mile loop will earn the limited‑edition Bioreserve Loop Patch . Additionally, all participants who do not yet have a SEM 50 pin will receive one of these commemorative pins, finally all participants will be automatically entered into a special SEM 50th Anniversary raffle, with prizes to be awarded at the end of the anniversary year. Each SEM 50th Anniversary event you attend earns you an additional raffle entry, so join us often!

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!