Essex County Trails & Sails Launches 25th Season With New Site

SALEM, MA — Essex Heritage launched a new website for Trails & Sails as the organization prepares for the event series' 25th anniversary in Essex County.

Trails & Sails is set for Sept. 12-27 across all 34 cities and towns in the county, which is recognized as a National Heritage Area for its history, cultural sites and natural landscapes.

Each fall, the series offers hundreds of free events that invite people to explore places across the county. Activities include coastal hikes, cycling tours, museum programs, historic site visits, birdwatching outings and other programs hosted by organizations throughout Essex County.

The new website is designed to help visitors plan their experience and to help organizations submit events for the online calendar.

Event listings include location, accessibility information and whether reservations may be required. The site also includes resources for groups interested in hosting programs.

"The updated website for the 25th Anniversary for Trails & Sails is the public's passport to nearly endless activities across Essex County, and all the incredible places Essex County has to offer," Essex Heritage CEO Anne Harris said. "It's going to be added to constantly leading up to September, so keep checking back."

As the country marks the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, many Trails & Sails programs will highlight Essex County's role in the founding of the United States. Essex County Rev250 is one of several featured themes tied to stories and projects in the Heritage Area.

Event submissions will be approved and added on a rolling basis over the coming months as the 2026 lineup continues to grow.

The website also includes information about Essex Heritage membership. While Trails & Sails events are free to attend, membership helps support the program and helps keep the event series free and accessible to the public.