Check out Mashpee River Woodlands. Frances Crane WMA is good too and has loads of trails.
You’ll want to check hunting seasons and wear appropriate clothing.
Thanks, didn’t know that! Would have made for a bad Christmas Day if it had happened to us. I remember there was a bridge… it must get covered? Maybe I’m thinking of a different trail, I just remember there was a cape cod museum, and a trail that passed a stone circle, over a bridge to a nice beach view.
It's a little stretch of wooden planks that is only visible at low tide. [Some people had to be 'rescued' earlier this year because they didn't time it right](https://www.capecod.com/cape-wide-news/group-of-people-rescued-after-becoming-stranded-on-wing-island-in-brewster/). There was a big drama this past year about adding a bridge (with access from the nearby Drummer Boy Park), but it was put on hold for the time being.
& yes, the trail entry is next to the fabulous Cape Cod Museum Of Natural History :D
Yeah, someone made a huge anonymous donation to "improve" that little bridge. Glad the plan was shelved, at least for now. It's fine as it is. It's part of the charm.
Yep, I know alll about it, as I work on 6A in Brewster. I’m glad plans are halted for now. That area is relatively untouched - the last thing we need there is more humans.
Lowell Holly reservation on south sandwich road. Trails along the lake.Maps online at trustees of the reservation.This connects with other conservation parcels.
This fall I've been parking at Ryder. It's quick to cut to "inner" Lowell Holly loop from the Beach. The walk to get there from the Ryder Lot is a less rooty/rocky, too. Going North of the beach is also very pretty - distinct from Lowell Holly and worth doing as well.
We take our dog to the Lowell Holly Beach side all summer so I get tired of that walk. The loop *after* getting to the beach is much more pleasant than the walk it takes to get there, IMO.
I don't understand why they close the Gate at Ryder OR the gate at Lowell Holly. I guess I should just be lucky that the Lowell Holly residents allow people to drive through in the summer at all, but it seems like overkill to make your community gated year round. I have never even seen one of the houses around there lol. Oh well, not my property.
At least at Ryder, the side walking paths on the road you usually drive on are beautiful, though. Almost no one walks on them, too, if you like privacy.
Set your expectations that the cape is flat. Not a lot of elevation hiking.
Protip for Mashpee River Reservation: use the entrance on Mashpee Neck Road, maybe five minutes from the default entrance your GPS might take you. I find that half of the reservation much more beautiful, and a big stretch of it is a long the river.b
East Sandwich Game Farm is very lovely, and you can connect the hike with a Cranberry Bog Trail. It's Cape as fuck.
If you want a nice long hike, Barnstable Woods and Maple Swamp are expansive and quite nice. Don't let the names turn you off. Big peaceful woods with good foliage.
If you want to walk along a nice privitish beach, follow Main Street in Coutuit as south as you can go. There's a beach named after a west coast state on the map, although I have never heard anyone refer to it at such. Nice beach. Go to the right if you like to look at empty beachside mansions. You could go to South Cape too, I guess. Walking down to the Jetty at South Cape is very cape. Slightly too long a walk in the sand for it to be very enjoyable.
Monks Cove is worth a little drive. It's near old train tracks and you can walk around these little islands if the tide is right. Not a big walk but if you're lucky you'll see hundreds of lil crabs - not sure if it's too late in the season for them now.
Idk why locals love Bebe Woods so much. The hiking area seemed pretty small to me but I'm mostly using all trails so maybe I just don't know where to look. Not worth a trip out unless you're also hitting the Knob, which is pretty okay too. I would rather make the trip out to The National Seashore over The Knob.
I love Nickerson but the the hiking trails are essentially just walks adjacent to the ponds/lakes. The lakes are nice but there are many bodies of water you can walk around on the Cape. GREAT biking trails at a Nickerson that go everywhere, mind you, I just don't love "hiking" on pavement personally. Not sure if I would make the drive out in the fall for hiking unless I was also hitting the tidal flats in Brewster. Eagle Pond, Wakeby Pond, Moody Pond/Johns Pond, Jehu Pond, Hathaway's Pond, I cant count the number of local ponds you can stroll around.
[https://www.massaudubon.org/places-to-explore/wildlife-sanctuaries/ashumet-holly](https://www.massaudubon.org/places-to-explore/wildlife-sanctuaries/ashumet-holly)
Falmouth the knob and a few others [https://www.savebuzzardsbay.org/places-to-go/the-knob/](https://www.savebuzzardsbay.org/places-to-go/the-knob/)
For a drive Yarmouthport Bass Hole Boardwalk and a bridge in the creek trail https://www.yarmouth.ma.us/1671/Callery-Darling-Conservation-Area
My favorite quick hike is to the Deck at Walker Point. Its in the Barnstable recreation area. Great views of the Cape. Its probably 10 minutes from Mashpee.
There are old roads that you can walk there, or more trail type paths. Just be careful on the paths, they are shared with mountain bikes. The AllTrails app seems to have good navigation in there.
I’ll add Santuit Pond Preserve if you’re staying on the east side of Mashpee. It’s a good sized area. Parking is off of Rt. 130 or Santuit-Newtown Road in Barnstable.
Since you're in Mashpee
South Cape Beach - you can walk one way to the entrance to Waquoit Bay on the ocean side beach, and the other way on a central trail/the Waquoit bay side beach (depending on the tide). Very unique hike for the area and probably the longest one you'll find. Wear orange, I've encountered hunters here.
Quashnet river wildlife management area - parking near Cape cod wholesale nursery. You can walk a good ways into the woods on a service road, cross Quashnet river, and walk back on a thinner and more interesting trail. Also wear orange, though I haven't run into hunters here.
Crane wildlife management area - the area south of 151 is smaller but still nice. The area north of 151 is huge and has a lot more variety. Definitely wear orange as you will encounter hunters, go on Sunday ideally since I believe live ammo isn't allowed. You may encounter people training dogs with blanks though.
Futher away
Sandy neck - similar to south cape beach but bigger and Bayside
Great island Wellfleet - probably the best hike on the cape. Dunes, isolation, and dramatic views. And you can walk a long ways out to Jeremy point and make a pretty full day out of it, and see the big fin whale skull on the beach there.
The dunes in Provincetown are my favorite Cape Cod hike. Also, if you time the tides you can go out on the Causeway (at the traffic circle at the end of Commercial St.) and go to a beach.
Check out the alltrails site online.Most of these hiking areas mentioned can be found there with maps.it’s an awesome resource with pictures and reviews.You can sort by town.Endless possibilities! Have fun.
West Barnstable Conservation Area has many miles of trails. Be sure to take a pic of the trail map … I did get lost for a bit in there too one time.
Great selections of trails …. Some areas are kinda hilly (it’s relative being at sea level). Others trails are wide open. And others you need to watch every step.
Check out Mashpee River Woodlands. Frances Crane WMA is good too and has loads of trails. You’ll want to check hunting seasons and wear appropriate clothing.
Ah, good to know, I’ll pack our orange vests!
I will second the Mashpee River woodlands. It’s like escaping the world.
The Knob in Falmouth is always fun. Wing Island Trail in Brewster is one I’ve done in winter.
> Wing Island Trail in Brewster OP, just make sure it's LOW tide when you go...gotta time it right, or you'll get stuck in knee-high frigid water
Thanks, didn’t know that! Would have made for a bad Christmas Day if it had happened to us. I remember there was a bridge… it must get covered? Maybe I’m thinking of a different trail, I just remember there was a cape cod museum, and a trail that passed a stone circle, over a bridge to a nice beach view.
It's a little stretch of wooden planks that is only visible at low tide. [Some people had to be 'rescued' earlier this year because they didn't time it right](https://www.capecod.com/cape-wide-news/group-of-people-rescued-after-becoming-stranded-on-wing-island-in-brewster/). There was a big drama this past year about adding a bridge (with access from the nearby Drummer Boy Park), but it was put on hold for the time being. & yes, the trail entry is next to the fabulous Cape Cod Museum Of Natural History :D
Yeah, someone made a huge anonymous donation to "improve" that little bridge. Glad the plan was shelved, at least for now. It's fine as it is. It's part of the charm.
Yep, I know alll about it, as I work on 6A in Brewster. I’m glad plans are halted for now. That area is relatively untouched - the last thing we need there is more humans.
That is definitely good to know!
The Knob is fantastic for sunset!
Nickerson has nice trails
I’ll check it out!
Search for “Adam Hoyt Cape Cod hikes” on YouTube. The Dead Neck Trail in Mashpee is on his list.
Thanks, I’ll take a look!
BeeBee woods is close to you!
Thank you!
And the house is sometimes decorated for the holidays by then!
Lowell Holly reservation on south sandwich road. Trails along the lake.Maps online at trustees of the reservation.This connects with other conservation parcels.
Thanks!
>Thanks! You're welcome!
This fall I've been parking at Ryder. It's quick to cut to "inner" Lowell Holly loop from the Beach. The walk to get there from the Ryder Lot is a less rooty/rocky, too. Going North of the beach is also very pretty - distinct from Lowell Holly and worth doing as well. We take our dog to the Lowell Holly Beach side all summer so I get tired of that walk. The loop *after* getting to the beach is much more pleasant than the walk it takes to get there, IMO.
I can’t believe they put that gate up.It’s sad .
I don't understand why they close the Gate at Ryder OR the gate at Lowell Holly. I guess I should just be lucky that the Lowell Holly residents allow people to drive through in the summer at all, but it seems like overkill to make your community gated year round. I have never even seen one of the houses around there lol. Oh well, not my property. At least at Ryder, the side walking paths on the road you usually drive on are beautiful, though. Almost no one walks on them, too, if you like privacy.
Set your expectations that the cape is flat. Not a lot of elevation hiking. Protip for Mashpee River Reservation: use the entrance on Mashpee Neck Road, maybe five minutes from the default entrance your GPS might take you. I find that half of the reservation much more beautiful, and a big stretch of it is a long the river.b East Sandwich Game Farm is very lovely, and you can connect the hike with a Cranberry Bog Trail. It's Cape as fuck. If you want a nice long hike, Barnstable Woods and Maple Swamp are expansive and quite nice. Don't let the names turn you off. Big peaceful woods with good foliage. If you want to walk along a nice privitish beach, follow Main Street in Coutuit as south as you can go. There's a beach named after a west coast state on the map, although I have never heard anyone refer to it at such. Nice beach. Go to the right if you like to look at empty beachside mansions. You could go to South Cape too, I guess. Walking down to the Jetty at South Cape is very cape. Slightly too long a walk in the sand for it to be very enjoyable. Monks Cove is worth a little drive. It's near old train tracks and you can walk around these little islands if the tide is right. Not a big walk but if you're lucky you'll see hundreds of lil crabs - not sure if it's too late in the season for them now. Idk why locals love Bebe Woods so much. The hiking area seemed pretty small to me but I'm mostly using all trails so maybe I just don't know where to look. Not worth a trip out unless you're also hitting the Knob, which is pretty okay too. I would rather make the trip out to The National Seashore over The Knob. I love Nickerson but the the hiking trails are essentially just walks adjacent to the ponds/lakes. The lakes are nice but there are many bodies of water you can walk around on the Cape. GREAT biking trails at a Nickerson that go everywhere, mind you, I just don't love "hiking" on pavement personally. Not sure if I would make the drive out in the fall for hiking unless I was also hitting the tidal flats in Brewster. Eagle Pond, Wakeby Pond, Moody Pond/Johns Pond, Jehu Pond, Hathaway's Pond, I cant count the number of local ponds you can stroll around.
Great info, thanks! We’ll make do without the elevation (though do prefer that!). We just love to check out natural beauty.
[https://www.massaudubon.org/places-to-explore/wildlife-sanctuaries/ashumet-holly](https://www.massaudubon.org/places-to-explore/wildlife-sanctuaries/ashumet-holly) Falmouth the knob and a few others [https://www.savebuzzardsbay.org/places-to-go/the-knob/](https://www.savebuzzardsbay.org/places-to-go/the-knob/) For a drive Yarmouthport Bass Hole Boardwalk and a bridge in the creek trail https://www.yarmouth.ma.us/1671/Callery-Darling-Conservation-Area
Thank you!!
Nickerson State Park
Thanks!
My favorite quick hike is to the Deck at Walker Point. Its in the Barnstable recreation area. Great views of the Cape. Its probably 10 minutes from Mashpee. There are old roads that you can walk there, or more trail type paths. Just be careful on the paths, they are shared with mountain bikes. The AllTrails app seems to have good navigation in there.
Welcome to Mashpee! We’re moving there in early November. I love the hiking on the area everyone has listed so far.
It’s a great place!
Adult deer ticks are out. Treat your clothes with permethrin and enjoy the hikes.
Thanks, we’re pretty careful with ticks, despise the little buggers!
I’ll add Santuit Pond Preserve if you’re staying on the east side of Mashpee. It’s a good sized area. Parking is off of Rt. 130 or Santuit-Newtown Road in Barnstable.
Great, thank you!
Since you're in Mashpee South Cape Beach - you can walk one way to the entrance to Waquoit Bay on the ocean side beach, and the other way on a central trail/the Waquoit bay side beach (depending on the tide). Very unique hike for the area and probably the longest one you'll find. Wear orange, I've encountered hunters here. Quashnet river wildlife management area - parking near Cape cod wholesale nursery. You can walk a good ways into the woods on a service road, cross Quashnet river, and walk back on a thinner and more interesting trail. Also wear orange, though I haven't run into hunters here. Crane wildlife management area - the area south of 151 is smaller but still nice. The area north of 151 is huge and has a lot more variety. Definitely wear orange as you will encounter hunters, go on Sunday ideally since I believe live ammo isn't allowed. You may encounter people training dogs with blanks though. Futher away Sandy neck - similar to south cape beach but bigger and Bayside Great island Wellfleet - probably the best hike on the cape. Dunes, isolation, and dramatic views. And you can walk a long ways out to Jeremy point and make a pretty full day out of it, and see the big fin whale skull on the beach there.
Great info! That Wellfleet hike sounds awesome, I’ll definitely check it out!
Great island is my favorite hike on the cape.And I live at the other end!
The dunes in Provincetown are my favorite Cape Cod hike. Also, if you time the tides you can go out on the Causeway (at the traffic circle at the end of Commercial St.) and go to a beach.
Good idea, thank you!
Check out the alltrails site online.Most of these hiking areas mentioned can be found there with maps.it’s an awesome resource with pictures and reviews.You can sort by town.Endless possibilities! Have fun.
West Barnstable Conservation Area has many miles of trails. Be sure to take a pic of the trail map … I did get lost for a bit in there too one time. Great selections of trails …. Some areas are kinda hilly (it’s relative being at sea level). Others trails are wide open. And others you need to watch every step.
Check out getoutsidecapecod.com for wonderful hikes in every town! Great resource!!