Hike For a Change 2026

Please join Dirty Hands Project for the third Hike for a Change. This 230 mile hike, occurring throughout the month of May (Mental Health Awareness Month), will follow the Bay Circuit Trail from Kingston, MA to Plum Island, MA. This year will also feature hikes in Denver, CO, Charleston, SC, Peabody, MA, and Danvers, MA.

 

For us it means a change of: perspective, understanding, attitude, routine, approach, conversation...

 

What will it mean for you?

About the Bay Circuit Trail

The trail and greenway is located close to 4 million people in Eastern Massachusetts, starting at the mouth of the Merrimack River and ending in Kingston Bay. The BCT, a close-to-home trail, offers a variety of recreation options including: walking, biking, snowshoeing, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. Many sections of the trail are accessible by the MBTA commuter rail and other public transit systems.

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Since 2012, the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) has led Bay Circuit Trail partners in the completion, enhancement of the trail, and also the long-term protection of this greenway. At present, more than 230 miles of multi-use, passive recreational trail have been dedicated, thanks to the contributions of hundreds of volunteers in 37 cooperating towns.

 

Furthermore, the AMC guides local communities in establishing their portion of the Bay Circuit Trail through planning and technical assistance, route identification, land protection, trail management and construction. Our sustained contact with state and federal government representatives and agencies helps us promote the Bay Circuit concept and improve trail-wide issues.

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To fulfill the vision of the Bay Circuit, AMC has been working to close the final gaps of the trail. We are working to document varied uses on the trail, improve the recreational experience, secure permanent protection for the trail corridor, and encourage the public to explore the trail’s 230+ miles.

Dirty Hands Project was created by Josh and Liz Moughan in response to losing their son, Ty, at the age of 18 to suicide in August 2023. For the decade that Ty struggled with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, we kept the story to ourselves. We felt it was Ty's alone to share. We will no longer be silent. In Ty's memory, we are committed to making a positive change in the lives of those impacted by mental illness.

We support people and programs that are rolling up their sleeves to better understand and address the needs of those affected by mental illness. For those suffering, we are focused on bringing increased awareness to and education around mental health as a way to help them feel comfortable sharing their struggles and asking for help. For those supporting others with mental illness, our goal is to help them understand and navigate the crucial steps in detection, treatment and advocacy. Everything we do at Dirty Hands Project will mirror the way Ty chose to live life - by focusing on nature, using our voices for those still searching for theirs, and leading with our hearts.

For more information, visit, www.thedirtyhandsproject.org

 

 

SOUTH SHORE HIKES

DAY 1:  April 25, 2026:  Duxbury to Pembroke 10:00am   (15 Miles)

DAY 2:  April 26, 2026: Pembroke to Hanson  10:00am  (9.5 Miles)

DAY 3:  April 27, 2026: Hanson to East Bridgewater 10:00am (7 Miles)

DAY 4:  April 28, 2026:  West Bridgewater to Easton  10:00am (10.25 Miles)

DAY 5:  April 29, 2026:  Easton to Sharon  10:00am  (7.5 Miles)

 

METRO WEST HIKES

DAY 6:  April 30, 2026:  Sharon to Sharon(Moose Hill)  10:00am (10 Miles)

DAY 8:  May 5, 2026: Sharon to Walpole  10:00am  (8 Miles)

DAY 9:  May 7, 2026:  Walpole to Medfield  10:00am  (12 Miles)

DAY 10:  May 8, 2026:  Sherborn to Sherborn(Barber Reservation)  10:00am   (10 Miles)

DAY 11:  May 9, 2026: Ashland to Framingham  10:00am  (9 Miles)

DAY 12:  May 11, 2026: Marlborough to Sudbury  10:00am  (9 Miles)

DAY 13:  May 12, 2026:  Weston to Concord    10:00am (9.25 Miles)

 

MERRIMACK VALLEY HIKES

DAY 14:  May 13, 2026:  Concord(Walden) to Bedford    10:00am (10 Miles)

DAY 15:  May 14, 2026: Concord(Minuteman NP) to Acton   10:00am (10 Miles)

DAY 16:  May 15, 2026:  Acton to Lowell(UKG HQ)       10:00am  (8.5 Miles)

DAY 18:  May 19, 2026:  Lowell to Andover(Bald Hill)  10:00am  (12 Miles)

DAY 19:  May 20, 2026:  Andover to Andover(Ward Reservation)    10:00am  (8.5 Miles)

DAY 20:  May 21, 2025:  Andover to North Andover    10:00am   (10 Miles)

 

NORTH SHORE HIKES

DAY 21: May 22, 2026:  North Andover to Boxford   4:00pm   (6.5 Miles)

DAY 22:  May 23, 2026:  Boxford to Georgetown   10:00am   (5.75 Miles)

DAY 23:  May 24, 2026:  Georgetown to Ipswich  10:00am  (10 Miles)

DAY 24:  May 27, 2026:  Ipswich(Appleton Farms) to Ipswich(Willowdale Forest)  10:00am  (10 Miles)

DAY 25:  May 28, 2026:   Peabody  4:00pm  (4 Miles)

DAY 26:  May 29, 2026:  Newbury to Plum Island  3:00pm   (7.5 Miles)

DAY 27:  May 30, 2026:  Middleton to Essex Tech  3:00pm   (6 Miles)

 

OTHER HIKES

DAY 7:  May 2, 2026: Denver, CO  9:00am  (7 Miles)

DAY 17: May 16, 2026: Charleston, SC 10:00am  (5.5 Miles)

 

 

 

Hike Information

Dirty Hands Project is thrilled to announce the return of Hike For a Change for its second year. From April 26th to May 31st, we will embark on a 230-mile journey along the Bay Circuit Trail, stretching from Duxbury to Plum Island. 

 

Mental health touches all our lives in some way, and Hike For a Change offers an inspiring opportunity to bring awareness and advocacy to create hope and healing for many. The Bay Circuit Trail is a network of trails, forests, and parks, offering close to home opportunities to access nature to the Greater Boston area. Spending time in nature is proven to have a positive effect on both mental and physical health and Bay Circuit Trail offers an opportunity to embrace the outdoors, clear our minds, and change the conversation around mental health disease. 

 

Hike For a Change is a powerful movement, and we are excited to have you join us for one, two, or all of the hikes! 

 

For any questions, please email, josh@thedirtyhandsproject.org