The Great Outdoors

For the Cape Cod walker, there are an infinite variety of experiences. More than 75 trails of varying terrain, length, and difficulty are found on this idyllic peninsula. From seashore to salt marsh, to woodlands, ponds, and bogs, you can experience a great diversity of environments on foot. So lace up your sneakers and go take a hike.

Barnstable

Sandy Neck Recreation Area
The Sandy Neck Recreation Area has nearly five miles of sandy trails in between Cape Cod Bay and the Great Marsh. The area is surrounded by 50 to 100 foot dunes and various types of vegetation such as bayberry, beach heath, cranberry, and blueberry plants. Entrances can be found at the end of Sandy Neck Road, north off Route 6A in West Barnstable. For more information, call (508) 790-6272.

West Barnstable Conservation Area
This forest trail is Barnstable’s largest conservation area with over 15 miles of windy trails. The woodlands contain a variety of tree species including pine, oak and fir trees. Limited parking can be found at the intersection of Popple Bottom Road and Route149. Another parking lot can be found at Farmersville Road off Race Lane. For more information, call (508) 790-6272.

Bourne

Bournedale Hills Trail
Just over a mile long, this trail along north side of Cape Cod Canal between Herring Run Visitor's Center and Bourne Scenic Park includes 0.8 mi. loop near the Visitor's Center which interprets the historic and natural features of the Canal. For more information, (508) 759-4431.

DeNormandie Woods Conservation Area
The DeNormandie Woods Conservation Area spans nine acres of uphill woodlands and connects to the Broyer and Robinson Conservation Area. Entrances can be found at Shore Road between Red Brook Harbor Road and County Road. For more information, call (508) 563-2884.

Brewster

Punkhorn Parklands
This 850-acre park is compromised of a network of 45 trails through pine forests, kettle ponds, meadows, wetlands, and abandoned cranberry bogs. Trail entrances are at the parking lot on Run Hill Road. Trail guides are available at the entrance. For more information, call (508) 896-3701.

Nickerson State Park
This 1,900-acre park in the woods includes eight miles of hiking trails that connect to the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Some of the trails pass by Flax Pond and Cliff Pond. A hike to Higgins Pond will lead you to an excellent location to view endangered birds such as peregrine falcons and ospreys. If you enter the park from the north side of Mass. Rt. 6A, rangers offer guided walks through the trails informing hikers about the abundant wildlife and various habitats in the area. Maps can be found at the park entrance on Route 6A. For more information, call (508) 896-3491.

Chatham

Frost Fish Creek Trail
This trail covers 16 acres of terrain along a bluff overlooking a cranberry bog.
A quarter mile of the trail is along Frost Fish Creek to Route. 28. Parking is located at Chatham High School on Crowell Road. For more information, call (508) 945-5199.

Dennis

Indian Lands Conservation Area
This two-mile nature trail traverses woodlands and salt marsh along the banks of the Bass River. In the winter bird watchers can view blue herons and kingfishers, while in the spring lady’s slipper orchids bloom around the area. The trail entrance can be found one-half mile west of the parking lot at Dennis Town Hall on Main Street in South Dennis. For more information, call (508) 760-6123.

Eastham

Cottontail Acres Conservation Area
This one-half mile trail crosses meadows full of pine, red cedar, and oak trees. Hikers can also view Herring and Jemina Ponds. Parking is located at the corner of Samoset Road and Lawton Road. For more information, call (508) 240-5900.

Falmouth

Beebe Woods
Four kettle ponds, glacier boulders, and wetlands cover this extensive 380-acre territory. The trails are well marked for bird watching and walking. Access is located at Ter Heun Drive and Highfield Road. Visitors can park at the Cape Cod Conservatory. For more information, contact (508) 457-2536.
Washburn Island
This 334-acre island is located in Waquoit Bay and is accessible by boat from Town Landing Road off of Cotuit Road. The island, part of the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve offers swimming, fishing, and camping in addition to hiking. For more information, call (508) 457-0495.
Harwich

Bells Neck Road Conservation Area
A favorite site of the Cape Cod Bird Club, this two-mile dirt road trail winds through herring runs, tidal creeks, and a pond. Trail entrances are on Bells Neck Road and at the end of North Road in West Harwich. For more information, call (508) 432-1600.

Mashpee

South Cape Beach State Park
South Cape Beach State Park is part of the 2,500-acre Waquoit National Estuarine Bay Research Reserve. A barrier beach that is located in between Waquoit Bay and Vineyard Sound, the park has a variety of habitats including beach and dunes, salt marsh, woodlands, and kettle ponds. Hikers can access three miles of sand roads and the one-and-a-half mile Great Flat Pond trail. The entrance can be found on Great Oak Road. For more information, call (508) 457-0495.

Orleans

Paw Wah Point Conservation Area
This short less than one-mile trail through the woods leads to a beach. There are magnificent views of Little Pleasant Bay, Nauset Beach and Paw Wah Pond. The entrance is located on Namequoit Road off of Route 28. For more information, call (508) 240-3700 x425.

Provincetown

Corn Hill to Pamet Harbor Railroad Right of Way
This one-and-a-half mile trail is located next to the new Foss Woods Conservation area between Routes 6 and 6A. The trail winds along a former railroad through woodlands and dunes. Entrances are located on Howland Lane and in town on Route 6A. For more information, call (508) 487-3424.

Sandwich

Ryder Conservation Lands
This 243-acre area features century-old native holly trees and five mile trails that pass through abandoned cranberry bogs and beech tree groves. Parking entrances can be found off the west side of Cotuit Road between Harlow Road and Boardly Road. For more information, contact (508) 888-4200.

Scusset Beach State Reservation
This less than one-mile trail is located near a former Native American meeting ground and leads to Sagamore Hill. Hikers can enjoy fabulous views of the Cape Cod Canal and Cape Cod Bay. The trail entrance can be found off of Sagamore Beach Road across from a fishing pier. For more information, call (508) 888-0859.

Truro

Pilgrim Heights Area
The Pilgrim Spring Trail of the Cape Cod National Seashore leads to the place where the Pilgrims tasted their first New England water. Scattered along the trail are oak and pitch pine trees, bayberry, azaleas, and a blueberry farm. There are also views of the Atlantic Ocean. The entrance can be found off Route 6 in North Truro. For more information, call (508) 487-1288.

Wellfleet

Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
Hikers can explore five miles of trails through a diverse setting of habitats ranging from freshwater wetlands, ponds, fields, salt marsh, pine woodlands, and sandy beach. Hummingbird and butterfly gardens complement the picturesque trails. The sanctuary is located on Route 6 in South Wellfleet right before the Wellfleet Drive-in Theater. For more information, call (508) 349-2615.

Yarmouth

Callery-Darling Conservation Area
This two-and-a-half mile network of trails guides the hiker through vegetated wetlands, woodlands, and a boardwalk over a salt marsh. The entrance can be found on Center Street near Grays Beach. For more information, call (508) 398-2231, x283.

One of the best ways to explore Cape Cod is on two wheels. With miles and miles of trails designed exclusively for cycling, bike riding has become one of the area’s most popular activities. Trails run along the ocean, through wooded expanses, and along lush greenery that bursts with the season’s blooms, affording cyclists the opportunity to take in the pristine natural surroundings while getting a little exercise too.

The Cape Cod Rail Trail follows a former railroad right-of-way for nearly 30 miles through the towns of Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, and Wellfleet. Its paved surface, few hills, and well-marked automobile crossings make it ideal for cyclists. The trail has a wide unpaved shoulder on one side to accommodate horseback riding, walkers, and runners. For further details, go to www.ccrailtrail.com.

Located in Brewster, Nickerson State Park Network is a network of trails that connects to the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Cyclists can peddle along 8 miles of paved trails—some of them hilly—through pine and fir tree forests with scenic displays of bogs, lakes, and ponds. Parking is available in two locations on the right side of Route 6A heading east towards Orleans. For more information, contact (508) 896-3491.

The Shining Sea Trail follows the old Penn Central Railroad grade, connecting Falmouth and Woods Hole. In many places, the 3 ½ mile level trail travels right along water’s edge affording cyclists with brilliant views of Nantucket and Vineyard Sound. Parking lots that serve the trail may be found on both Locust Street and Depot Street in Falmouth.

Paved service roads parallel both sides of the Cape Cod Canal and are available for bicycling, jogging, and walking. Each service road is approximately 7 miles long. Parking areas, comfort stations, and picnic areas are provided at various access points in Sagamore, Sandwich, Bourne, and Buzzards Pay. For more information, call (508) 833-9678.

Province Lands in Provincetown offers the rider views of Beech Forest, kettle ponds, and saltwater marshes. The paved trail begins at Province Lands Visitor Center, and runs for 5 miles through sand dunes and hilly terrain as it extends to Herring Cove Beach and Race Point Beach. For more information, contact (508) 487-1256.

A challenging off-road bike trail, West Barnstable Conservation Area - Trail of Tears
winds through the Barnstable power lines and ends on Chase Road at the Sandwich border. The trail extends for 15 miles through steep climbs and various types of terrain. Located off of Exit 5 on the Mid-Cape Highway, parking can be found on Farmersville Road off Race Lane or at the intersection of Popple Bottom Road and Route 149. For more information, contact (508) 790-6272

Hathaway's Pond Conservation Area is a short off-road trail is a little over one mile long that circles around Hathaway Pond in Hyannis; it also divides off into different walking trails. The parking area stretches along the public beach down the hill from the main entrance off of Phinneys Lane.

Head of the Meadow Trail is a pleasant two-mile Head of the Meadow Bicycle Trail behind the dunes. This idyllic venue is also a great spot for bird lovers. Access trail in Truro at Head of the Meadow Beach parking area or on High Head Road.
For more information, call (508) 349-3785.