If you’re looking to keep yourself active this winter, the Mid-Cape offers some of the best walking, hiking, and biking trails in the country. Why not head out and work up a sweat as the weather starts to get colder this December?
To help you decide which trail you want to take, we’ve made a quick list of four of the best walking trails on the Mid-Cape. These trails will take you through cranberry bogs, forests, nature preserves, beaches, and forests. If you’re adventurous, we’ve got something for you. If you’re more of a leisurely naturalist who just wants to see all the flora and fauna that the Mid-Cape has to offer, we’ve got you covered too.
Keep reading to learn more about the best trails the Mid-Cape has to offer.
Callery Darling Conservation Area, Yarmouth
Miles of hiking and walking trails await you at Yarmouth’s breathtaking Callery Darling Conservation Area. Surrounded by long-abandoned cranberry bogs, these trails are fit for anyone. From beginners to advanced, and all fitness levels in between, there’s something for everyone here.
The brackish water – the place where freshwater meets saltwater – creates some of the most stunning wetlands in the area that are home to an incredible array of oak, pine, and red maple trees, as well as numerous avian, reptilian, amphibian, and mammalian species, so be on the lookout!
If what you’re after is just a short jaunt rather than a miles-long hike, the Callery Darling Conservation Area is also home to the Bass Hole Boardwalk. An 800-foot wooden boardwalk surrounded by salt marshes, Bass Hole crosses small panes and creeks and ends in a sitting area that’s perfect for watching the sunset.
Crowe’s Pasture, Dennis
Crowe’s Pasture is one of those little Cape secrets. Difficult to get to and off the beaten path, this dirt playground wows anyone who stumbles upon it. You can take a stroll through this stunning area or take off-road vehicles and head out on a day trip. There are some places along the beach that have been blocked off by boulders to prevent off-roading, so be mindful of those, but for the most part, Crowe’s Pasture has something for everyone, whether you want to trek through forest trails or walk along beautiful rocky beaches.
At high tide, the sandbar between Brewster and Dennis becomes almost like a small swimming pool, where anyone, young and old, can cool off and splash around, without fear of getting bowled over by giant waves. When the tide rolls out, get your cameras ready to snap some shots of the awe-inspiring marine life that is revealed. Clam beds, marsh grass, seaweed, oyster farms, sea glass, and beautiful small stones ripe for collecting are the amateur oceanographer’s dream come true.
Bridge Creek Conservation Area, Barnstable
The 246 acres of the Bridge Creek Conservation Area are notable for their wildly diverse and incredibly accessible wetlands and wetland habitats. Freshwater and tidal streams, more abandoned cranberry bogs, hardwood swamp, open marsh, beautiful stone walls make this terrain an all-in-one experience.
There are a total of 2.5 miles of hiking trails throughout the conservation area, and the terrain isn’t too rough, making for a light, easy walking excursion for anyone who finds themselves in the area. A boardwalk that leads to two bridges offering stunning views of the Bridge Creek Marsh is an excellent spot for birdwatching, or just relaxing and taking in the spectacular Cape Cod scenery.
If more strenuous exercise is what you’re after, the majority of the trails as Bridge Creek are also open to mountain biking and horseback riding. Though some may be closed to those activities, depending on the season. Hunting is also permitted here but is subject to local rules and regulations. Stop by the kiosks at the parking area for more info.
Historical Society of Old Yarmouth Nature Trail, Yarmouth
The more than 50 acres of nature trails of the Historical Society of Old Yarmouth was once a golf course but was donated by the descendants of famed Cape Cod philanthropist, Henry C. Thacher, with the promise that they would be preserved as a natural habitat forever. Trail maps, strategically placed benches, and new signage were installed along the nature trail in 2020, allowing for a smoother hiking or walking excursion.
Pets are allowed, as long as they are kept on a leash, and are picked up after, which is great for those families who love taking their dogs on their hikes with them!
While you’re on your walks through this gorgeous nature reserve, keep an eye out for the Little Free Library, crafted and installed by Scout Troops 50 and 150, and stocked by the Historical Society and the Yarmouth Port Library.
You’ll spot many species of birds and tiny mammals on your hikes, as well as a beautiful array of trees and wildflowers. Trails are open and accessible year-round!
Have you visited any of these Mid-Cape walking trails before? Please, tell us what you thought of them! And if not, are you planning to soon? Or maybe we’ve missed your favorite walking trail on the Mid-Cape. We’d love to hear about that too!
