Nature abounds in Brewster, Ma -our top 8 Cape Cod Hiking Trails | Captain Freeman Inn

by Donna Cain

 

Cape Cod is a magical destination loved by all ages. Visitors come to enjoy our beautiful beaches and kettle ponds, our fresh lobster and seafood and our unique and old fashion towns. What some find unexpected is our beautiful, remote and quiet hiking and nature trails that can be found all along our beautiful peninsula. Whether you enjoy hiking, birding, nature, solitude, swimming, beautiful scenery- we can recommend a nature trail for you to enjoy during your visit at the Captain Freeman Inn

 

Great Island in Wellfleet– I think this is our all time favorite walking trail on Cape Cod! Several years ago we were walking on the forest side of the island, and in the distance, we saw an elderly couple slowly walking,  carrying a huge basket. When we reached them, we stopped to talk and learned that they come to this island frequently to collect mushrooms for their son’s restaurant in P’Town.

The island is unique in that it has bay waves on one side and a forest on the other…..very magical!

Wing Island in Brewster- This wonderful hiking trail is just up the street from the inn at the Natural History Museum. We have walked this trail 100’s of times, and I still get goosebumps when we reach the end of the wooded trail and see breathtaking views of the Brewster flats and Cape Cod bay.

 

Added tip- make sure to time your walk for low tide as the boardwalk floods out at high tide. Ask us how we learned about this- a fun innkeeper story! We have a tide clock in the parlor to plan your walk.

Monomoy Island National Wildlife Refuge-

This little slice of heaven is a federal wildlife refuge located on Monomoy Island in Chatham. It was taken over by the US government just before World War II with a goal to provide habitat for migratory birds. The size of the refuge is 7,604 acres with varied habitats of oceans, salt and freshwater marshes, dunes, freshwater ponds, and some historic manmade structures, such as the Monomoy Point Light and keeper’s quarters (decommissioned but open to the public). Check out a previous blog on this nature mecca for additional pictures and information about this wonderful resource.

The island is also the home to many seals.  You need a private boat to see the seals that are on the refuge right now, because they are located on the Atlantic side of South Monomoy Island, which is only accessible by boat. From May to October, Monomoy Island Ferry offers boat rides to the island.  If you go to the Chatham Lighthouse parking lot on Main Street in Chatham around low tide and bring the inn’s binoculars,  you may be able to view seals that are sunning on the sand bar along the left side of the harbor inlet. Another good place to see seals is the observation deck on the Chatham Fish Pier, located at 45 Barcliff Ave.

Nickerson State Park – we sometimes have to pinch ourselves in that this beautiful  park is just a few miles from the inn. We go there frequently as our pup Harrison loves to swim in the lakes and the park is filled with nature and bike trails for all to enjoy.

We like to drive to the very end of the main road through the park. You can park on the side of the road  and hike around Higgins Pond. It’s a great spot to also go for a fresh water swim in the summer.

Nauset Marsh Trail– we frequently recommend that our guests stop at the Cape Cod  Salt Pond Visitor’s Center. It’s a free educational resource run by the National Seashore that includes a small museum, bookstore and helpful rangers to guide you during your stay. The Nauset Marsh Trail is next door to the visitor center where you can enjoy a scenic stroll that was described by two classic nature writers—The Outermost House, by Henry Beston, and The House on Nauset Marsh, by Wyman Richardson. The Richardson house still stands, but Beston’s cabin, which was nestled in the dunes on Coast Guard Beach, was last seen floating out to sea during the blizzard of 1978.

The trail winds through forest and beside the marsh, giving you the chance to study some of the area’s plants and wildlife. Trailside markers identify some common trees and shrubs

After your nature walk hop back in your car and drive north toward Coast Guard Beach where you can see Nauset Light and farther up the road the historic Three Sister Light Houses.

 

Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary

A spectacular 110 acre sanctuary on Cape Cod Bay that includes diverse ecosystems, with an array of meadow and woodland trails.  Popular with many, are their guided kayaking tours through local marshes and estuaries.

Enjoy sandy beaches, butterfly-filled meadows, woodland trails, and farm animals within the Long Pasture Sanctuary- including trails that boast a “million dollar view”—with Barnstable Harbor flanked by the dunes of Sandy Neck Barrier Beach.  Guests can purchase an annual membership that allows free entry to the grounds and exhibits, plus discounts on the many educational programs. A modest daily fee is also available. An added advantage of membership is the ability to launch a kayak from the beach, free use of the parking facilities, and access to the complete network of wildlife sanctuaries statewide.

 

Wellfleet Audubon Sanctuary

Experience unmatched peace, serenity and natural beauty on the hillsides and shoreline of Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Their well maintained trails overlooking Wellfleet harbor bring you to a panoramic salt marsh, sandy barrier beach, and pine woodlands, each attracting a wide array of wildlife. The sanctuary features a universally accessible trail and an award-winning “green” nature center with numerous exhibits and aquariums.

Last but not least is one of the most unique nature trails on Cape Cod….

Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail– what…..a swamp trail on Cape Cod you might ask?

We visited this trail during the winter months. Please keep our secret……we brought Harrison on the walk as no one was around- No Dogs Allowed:(  The trail is mostly on a board walk and circles around one of the Cape’s few remaining strands of Atlantic white cedar, located on the former site of Cape Wellfleet, a U.S. Army base. Trailside markers identify some of the common trees, and you will probably get to see and hear an assortment of forest birds as well.

While the Swamp Trail is mostly shaded, your senses are confused as you can hear the waves and smell the salt air from near by Marconi Beach.

The Marconi Station Site, located just across the parking area from the trailhead, is well worth a visit after your walk. An elevated observation deck affords 360-degree views that include the Atlantic Ocean and Wellfleet Harbor. When Morse-code messages between President Theodore Roosevelt and England’s King Edward VII were exchanged from here on January 18, 1903, the age of two-way wireless communication began.

 

Nature does abound on Cape Cod, including the birdlife at our feeders at the Captain Freeman Inn. We are tickled to be hosting a Bluebird family in one of our birdhouses.

Still amazed that Byron was able to catch this shot:)

Happy Memorial Day everyone!