Cape Cod is no doubt a great destination for vacationers, and a lovely place for residents too! It serves everything you require to have a great time, from lighthouses to seafood and awesome beaches. Above that, it has some of the best hiking trails in Massachusetts.
There are all kinds of trails to suit every type of hiker. Whether you love a tough terrain in the woods or a gentle trail, you will find one. Similarly, there are trails designed for long hikes and others for shorter stints.
With a landmass of 338.998 sq. mile, you can bet that Cape Cod has a lot to offer.
Cape Cod Rail Trail
It is 22 miles of paved trail for you to enjoy. This trail connects up to six towns – Dennis, Brewster, Eastham, Harwich, Wellfleet, Eastham, and Orleans. This makes it an ideal trail for long hikes, even better when you go as a group. There are also plans to extend its length by a further 3.7 miles.
It has been around for close to 50 years now, making it one of the oldest tracks in the area. It has undergone several facelifts during this time and is now among the most comfortable trails you can visit. Parking spots are not a problem along the way. This means you can shorten or lengthen your hike as much as you wish.
The trail is also used for other forms of outdoor recreation, including horse riding, biking, skiing, and rollerblading. None of these activities are likely to cause you any discomfort as you go about though. Most hikers on this trail tend to start out from St. Dennis and go through its entire length. You may, however, start at any point depending on how far you want to go. There are many crossings along the way, so you should look out for other users. You do not have to pack heavy as there are numerous stopovers where you can restock.
Cape Cod Provincelands Trail
If you are thirst for connecting with nature, this is the hiking trail for you. Also used for biking, the Provincelands trail is one of the toughest trails. It has some challenging hills and slopes along the way. A good number of them are quite bumpy too, thanks to roots from the nearby trees invading the path. There is not much in the form of shops and eateries along the way; this is like an authentic experience in the jungle.
There are lovely views along the way, with the best of them being the park interpretive close to the Provinceland’s visitor area. Some parts of the trail are sandy, making them ideal for walks, especially in the fall. There are various parking spots conveniently located along the trail.
Little Sandy Pond and Horse Pond
This trail in the West Yarmouth area is another walk in the woods. It extends for about six miles and is littered with some lovely stuff to enjoy. There are push-up bars, balance beams, and poles. Sections of the trail are boarded for an easy crossing. Depending on how far you want to walk, you can start out at any of the three trailheads. All trailheads have decent parking, with trailhead one being the most spacious. Trailhead three lengthens the walking distance significantly. The path is navigable both in the summer and in winter. It has numerous spots to sit and picnic too! Couples love it for this.
Great Island Trail
This trail oozes beauty by combining the beach and the woods. You can do a section of each or opt to just go for the beach or the dry land. Walking on the soft sand beach offers some resistance. It is, however, scenic and worth every moment. Going all the way to Jeremy’s point would take anywhere between two-and-a-half and three hours. If taking the beach route, it is advisable to venture out as the tide goes out. The local met always indicates the tide levels throughout the day online.
The inland route is a bit more challenging terrain-wise. It has some hilly sections, and hikers have reported being confused by the signage. There are, however, a lot of birds to watch if you take this route. The trees are beautiful too, but watch out for bees. Many hikers have mentioned the Great Island trail as their favorite hiking spot. They all have one piece of advice though- always bring water.
Pilgrim Spring Trail
This three-mile-long trail is for simple walks- not sightseeing. The landscape gets quite dry during the summer, and there may be no spring to see at the end of it. There are horse flies too, something which does not really concern many hikers. Nevertheless, it helps to be aware.
When walking through the woods, the trail may seem a bit too easy. However, you will get to a hilly section that will work you out a good one. There are also stairs in some areas to make passage easier, and they make the terrain quite challenging too. The trail also stands out for its charming and spacious parking areas.
Dune Shacks Trail
This is roughly a mile-long walk up and down dunes by the ocean. It can be quite the workout given some points of the dunes are very steep. It is sand all the way, so you can take your walk barefoot and feel the soft sand under your feet. Atop the dunes, the views of the bay and the ocean are breath-taking. It is walkable both during the summer and the winter. Just ensure you are dressed right for the particular season.
Another thing to keep in mind is the sand that can be blowing on a windy day. To stay comfortable, you should have a pair of sunglasses with you. The trail begins at the Snail Head, where there is ample parking for many hikers. If you want to enjoy your walk even more, care to read about the dunes and the history attached to them beforehand.
Skunknett River Wildlife Sanctuary
This one combines animal viewing and having a good walk. The sanctuary is entirely wild, so expect the trail to be narrow in some areas. Therefore, wear clothes that cover your legs and arms lest you get irritation from contact with plants.
The wildlife view will be worth it, however. The area is managed by conservationists, which basically means that a lot of maintenance is by leaving it untouched. A walk here could quickly lead to the discovery of a new favorite hiking trail.
Hiking Tips in Cape Cod
- When to Go Hiking
Typically, summer has always been the most popular time to go hiking. The weather is warm, the vegetation blooms, and the mood generally suits the indoors. However, personal preference also matters. Some people love solitude as they hike. If you are such a person, the offseason might be your most appropriate time. The fall is almost as good as the summer to get outside.
Again, in this age of a new normal- social distancing and all- you will have one more factor to consider when picking the season to go hiking. The off-season just got some credits in these times.
The specific hiking trail you intend to take is also a determinant. The dunes, for instance, are best as summer gives way to the fall. Generally, long hikes are best done in the morning hours before temperatures soar. This also gives you ample time to cover the entire distance without having to rush. For mile-long hikes, the calm afternoon is a great time to venture out.
- Hiking Gear
The season and nature of the trail will determine what you wear when hiking in Cape Cod. What you wear may determine whether you have a god or torrid time. When going to the dunes, you will have to wear sunscreen and a hat. Most summer hikes will require you to carry enough water too! This cannot be overemphasized.
At the Skunknett, having protective clothing is essential. The same goes for the Pilgrim Spring, where flies can be a bit of a nuisance. Always check what the weatherman is predicting to help you determine how to dress for your hike.
Having a map—yes, it is part of gear- with you as you get out is key. Thankfully, phone apps can efficiently serve the purpose of a map today. There are also free apps that guide you on the best trails to use at a particular time. If the trail has a website, that is an excellent point of reference.
- Group Hiking
It looks like it will be a while before social interactions go back to normal. Group hikers will feel hard done, but then what must be done must be done. Lovers of solitude will be celebrating the new order. Whatever you do, do not go against what health experts advise.
- Staying Safe
Cape Cod is generally safe even for solo hikers. Whether you are a resident or just visiting the peninsula on vacation, you can always venture out. That said, your guard down should be always up while out in the woods. Look out for other people, even if you are not hiking together. Beware of any weird acting hikers and always treat them with suspicion.
By all means, Cape Cod is a great place for hikers. Even in the heat of summer, the soothing breeze from the ocean ensures that temperatures on most trails remain bearable. The diversity of the various trails both in terrain and their scenic offerings is to be admired. Make your stay in the area memorable by venturing out on one- or several- of these lovely hiking trails! You’re welcome!