Whether you’re a serious walker, or just the occasional hiker, come the winter and spring, Cape Cod offers a rich variety of stunning hiking trails to enjoy. Wrap up well, experience the views, winters crispness, springs bursting colors, or perhaps witness the herring run in April/May. With so many wonderful walks on the Cape to explore, and something for everyone, we have just focused on some of our favorites, all within 15 minutes of the Parsonage.
Nauset Beach
We never get tired of this, a winter walk on our local beach, the Atlantic waves crashing on the beach, miles of sand and in the wintertime perhaps the uncovering of 19th century shipwrecks. Look out for seals and during perfect conditions, surfers gliding through a pipeline barrel.
Rock Harbor and Skaket
A five-minute drive to the bayside, at low tide the perfect beach walk. Experience spectacular sunsets and in January and February, witness the ocean freezing and stunning tidal ice flows.
Fort Hill
Just ten minutes from us, Fort Hill looks out on National Seashore, Coast Guard Lighthouse and the salt marshes. Stunning views and like the Cedar Swamp, Fort Hill has a boardwalk that meanders through a swampy red cedar area. A casual hike takes about 45 minutes. Trail markers identify native wildlife.
Wing Island
One of our favorites hikes but check tides as the boardwalk may flood during high tide! Just 15 minutes from the Parsonage, a glorious walk that passes through the coastal pitch pine woodlands, across a salt marsh, to Wing’s Island. Finally descending through a salt marsh swale to the barrier beach and tidal pools of Cape Cod Bay. A microcosm of the Cape’s landscape.
Kents Point
Two minutes from us and located just off of Monument Road in Orleans, Kent’s Point has stunning views of Pleasant Bay, heading down to the ocean and Chatham Bars. At the point, hikers can relax at a bench on the top of a hill and enjoy this beautiful view. 27 acres of woodland and over a mile of shoreline.
Mill Pond
Right around the corner from us off Brick Hill, another favorite of ours. The walk looks out on the backside of Nauset spit, the marshes and out towards Tonset and Fort Hill. Walk around the bay and through the Orleans Conservation Trust marked pathways. We believe some of the pathway is on private property so please respect the spot. Un-spoilt and always deserted.
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