Bourne

Four Ponds Conservation Area: Color coded trails around Freeman Pond, Upper Pond, the Basin and Shop Pond and through the Town Forest. Trail is accessed by a trail through the Bourne Water District off Valley Bar Road, or by the main entrance and parking area on Barlow's Landing Road. Guide available from Bourne Conservation Commission, Town Hall, 24 Perry Ave., Bourne, MA 02532, (508)759-6025.

Trail map of the following areas available from the Bourne Conservation Trust, Box 203, Cataumet, MA 02534.

Nivling-Alexander Reserve: 0.5 mi. of wooded trails on 40 ac. bordering Red Brook Pond and cranberry bogs. Trail entrance and parking near intersection of Shore Rd. and Thaxter Rd.

DeNormandie Woods Conservation Area: 9 ac. of wooded upland with 2/3 mile trail to the Broyer and Robinson Conservation Area via Joyce Path. Entrance on Shore Rd. between Red Brook Harbor Rd. and County Rd.

Broyer and Robinson Conservation Areas: 30 ac. of wooded upland joined by a 1/2 mi. wooded trail. Watch for ladyslippers and rhododendrons in late spring/early summer. Entrances along Red Brook Harbor Rd., between Scraggy Neck Rd. and Parker's Boat Yard.

Sandwich

Scusset Beach State Reservation: 0.7 mi. trail to Sagamore Hill; provides access to former Native American meeting ground and site of World War II coastal fortification; good view of east entrance to Canal and of Cape Cod Bay. Take Meetinghouse Rd. east off Sagamore Rotary to Scusset Beach Rd. to trail entrance opposite fishing pier.

Sandwich Boardwalk & Town Beach: Long boardwalk crosses Mill Creek and Town Neck Marsh to Old Sandwich Harbor and Cape Cod Bay. About 1.5 mi. walk including Town Neck Beach. Parking off Boardwalk Rd.

Briar Patch: Boyhood walking spot for Thornton Burgess; two trail loops meander through abandoned pastures and groves of black locust and white pine. Parking area and two trail entrances on Discovery Hill Rd. off Rt. 6A behind Green Briar Nature Center. Trail guides available at Nature Center, Discovery Hill Rd., E. Sandwich, 02537, (508)888-6870.

Murkwood Conservation Lands: 1.25 mi. of trails on old 79 ac. farmstead; views of Scorton Marsh. Park at west end of E. Sandwich Fire Station; trail entrance north of Rt. 6A.

Talbot's Point Conservation Lands: Network of trails traverse mature woodlands on peninsula extending north from railroad tracks into Scorton Marsh. Parking on the wide sandy road north from Old County Rd. about 1 mi. east of Hoxie Pond.

Maple Swamp Conservation Lands: Network of dirt roads and paths in 750 ac. forest; dramatic topography ranging from 40 to 250 feet above sea level; spectacular views of Cape Cod Bay and Vineyard Sound. Parking south of the Service Rd. between Rt. 6 Exits 3 and 4.

Boyden Farm Conservation Lands: 48 ac. featuring walking trail, wildlife management area and frontage on Peter's Pond. Parking west of Cotuit Rd. just south of Farmersville Rd.

Ryder Conservation Lands: 243 ac. conservation area with frontage on Wakeby Pond and abandoned cranberry bogs; walking trails weave through native holly trees over 100 years old and beech/pine groves. Several parking areas and entrances off the west side of Cotuit Rd. between Harlow Rd. and Boardly Rd.

Falmouth

Town of Falmouth/The 300 Committee Conservation Trail Maps

Map of Falmouth lands, including brief descriptions of conservation lands, is available from the Falmouth Conservation Commission, 59 Town Hall Square, Falmouth, MA 02540, (508)548-7611.

Goodwill Park: Information trail system in 85 ac. wooded area; public beach along Grew's Pond. East side of Rt. 28 (Palmer Ave.)

Beebe Woods: 387 acres of woodlands with well-marked trails for walking, cross-country skiing and birdwatching. Adjacent to the newly protected 88-acre Peterson Farm. Access from Ter Heun Dr. and Highfield Rd. Parking at the Cape Cod Conservatory.

Washburn Island: 334 acres for swimming, fishing, walking, primitive camping (no toilet facilities). Owned by Mass. Dept. of Environmental Management, administered from South Cape Beach State Park, Mashpee. Accessible by boat only from Town Landing Rd. on Waquoit Bay off Cotuit Rd.

Ashumet Holly & Wildlife Sanctuary: Well-marked network of trails on 45 acres of woodlands and fields encircling a large freshwater pond; contains 8 species of holly trees; over 130 species of birds have been sighted here. Located on Ashumet Rd. north of Rt. 151. Admission charge. Maps available at visitor center or contact Mass. Audubon Society, 286 Ashumet Rd., E. Falmouth, MA 02536 (508)563-6930.

Salt Pond Area Reservation: 40 acres with trails along Salt Pond. Parking at Mill Beach parking lot and along roadsides. Owned by Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuaries, 881 Palmer Ave., Falmouth, MA 02540, (508)548-0711.

Bourne Farm: 34 acres managed by Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuaries; ancient working farm with paths for walkers through a woodlot west of the railroad line; farmhouse and barn built in 1775. Parking off Route 28A.

Sea Farms: 67 acres on Bourne's Pond and Israels Cove; trails for hiking and birdwatching. Access from Gayle Ave. parking area in Davisville, E. Falmouth.

Mashpee

South Cape Beach State Park: Over 3 mi. of sand roads for hiking in addition to The Great Flat Pond Trail, a 1 mi. trail crossing pine-oak woodlands, marshes and bogs; trail features a variety of wetland and woodland plants as well as views of Great Flat Pond and marshes. Entrance and parking at end of Great Oak Rd.

Lowell Holly Reservation: 2 mi. of trails on a peninsula dividing Wakeby Pond and Mashpee Pond; easy walk through beech, pine and holly forests. Parking area off South Sandwich Rd. north of Rt. 130. Owned by The Trustees of Reservations, seasonal entrance fee; year round access.

John's Pond Conservation Area: 258 acres adjacent to 323 ac. freshwater pond with a swimming beach, active cranberry bogs, Moody Pond and 4 mi. of walking trails and bog roads; seasonal toilet facilities available. Parking at Town Beach parking area at end of Back Rd., off Hoophole Rd.

Mashpee River Woodlands: Over 8 mi. of trails and dirt roads through 390 ac. of pine forests, abandoned bogs and fresh/salt water marshes along the Mashpee River. Parking located off Quinaquisset Ave., (off Rt. 28 just e. of the Mashpee Rotary), off Mashpee Neck Rd., or at end of River Rd. Cape Cod Pathways trail guide available from Cape Cod Commission, Eastern Mountain Sports (Hyannis) or Mashpee Town Hall.

South Mashpee Pine Barrens Conservation Area: Over 300 ac. of rare pine barrens, Atlantic white cedar swamps, wet heaths, and mixed forests; 3.8 mi. of trails and dirt roads. Parking at dirt road off Great Neck Rd. South opposite Old Dock Lane. Cape Cod Pathways trail guide available (see above).

Barnstable

Town of Barnstable Trail Guides and Maps

Trail guides available from Barnstable Conservation Commission, Town Hall, 367 Main Street, Hyannis, 02601, (508)790-6245

Sandy Neck Recreation Area: 4.8 miles of sand trails in dunes and beach between Cape Cod Bay and the Great Marsh; dunes support a variety of vegetation, including numerous wildflowers and cranberries; and an Area of Critical Environmental Concern. Entrance at the end of Sandy Neck Rd. north off Route 6A in W. Barnstable. Trail maps available from guard shack at entrance.

Long Pond Conservation Area: Network of 2 miles of trails through fields and mixed pine oak woodlands with a dense undergrowth of ferns, huckleberry and other shrubs; main trail leads to observation deck overlooking Long Pond. Parking off Newtown Rd. between Wakeby Rd. and School St.; trail begins at the parking area, adjacent to a community garden.

Crocker Neck Conservation Area: 1.5 miles of trails in 97 ac. area on peninsula bordered by Shoestring Bay, Popponesset Bay, and Pinquickset Cove; mixed oak-pine forest, salt marsh, fresh marsh, shrub swamp, beach, and estuarine flats habitats. Parking and entrance off Santuit Rd.

Hathaway's Pond: Trail encircles sandy edged pond with spur trail into the conservation area; mixed oak-pine forest with a dense undergrowth of huckleberry, blueberry, and other shrubs; picnic area, bath house, and beach near the parking area at se corner of the pond. Entrance on Phinney's La. a short distance n. of its intersection with Rt. 132.

West Barnstable Conservation Area: Informal system of over 15 mi. of trails in mixed oak-pine woodlands. Trailhead, informational sign, and limited parking at the intersection of Popple Bottom Rd. and Rt. 149; informational sign and parking at intersection of Service Rd. and power line just w. of Route 149; additional entrances along Service Rd. and Race La. near the town line.

Bridge Creek Watershed: Informal network of trails leads past old stone walls, abandoned fields and cranberry bogs encircled by a wooded upland landscape. Trail entrances, informational kiosks, and parking located on Church St. and behind the Fire Station on Rt. 149.

Whelan Property: Informal trail system through fields and upland pine and scrub oak woods. Trailhead, informational kiosk and parking on Old Stage Rd. between Race La. and Walnut St.

Old Jail Lane Conservation Area: Trail through oak-pine woods in wildlife preserve; contains a vernal pool. View of Sandy Neck from high pine ridge. Entrance on w. side of Old Jail La. between Rt. 6A and Phinney's La.

Yarmouth

Town of Yarmouth Walking Trails Booklet (in PDF format)

Trail guides available from Yarmouth Conservation Commission, Town Hall, 1146 Rt. 28, S. Yarmouth 02664, (508)398-2231, x283.

Callery-Darling Conservation Area: 2.4 mi system of trails in salt marsh, vegetated wetland and upland woods; boardwalk over salt marsh. Trail entrances on Center St. at Alms House Rd., near Grays Beach parking lot at end of Center St., on Homers Dock Rd., and at the end of Kingsbury Way off Rt. 6A.

Dennis Pond Conservation Area: 1/2 mi. main trail with side trail, in wooded upland bordering pond. Trail entrances on Willow St. and on Summer St. at Dennis Pond.

Horse Pond Conservation Area: 3/4 mi main trail with several side trails; in upland woods, vegetated wetlands, and along edge of pond. Trail entrance on e. side of Higgins Crowell Rd. 0.5 mi. north of Buck Island Rd.

Raymond J. Syrjala Conservation Area: 3/4 mi loop in wetlands and some upland woods. Trail entrance on Winslow Gray Rd. 0.5 mi. n. of Rt. 28.

Sandy Pond Recreation Area: 1/2 mi. trail around kettle pond; trail includes several exercise stations. Entrance to recreation area is n. of Buck Island Rd. 0.2 mi. w. of Higgins Crowell Rd.

Historical Society of Old Yarmouth Nature Trail: 1.5 miles of trails in 50 ac. of upland woods, pond, and wetland; good display of spring-flowering shrubs. Trail entrance is off Rt. 6A behind Yarmouthport Post Office. Trail guide available at Gate House at trailhead.

Dennis

Indian Lands Conservation Area: 46 ac. bordering Bass River with 3/4 mi. nature trail in wooded upland and salt marsh; good display of ladyslippers in spring. Trail entrance along powerline 1/2 mi. w. of parking lot at Dennis Town Hall, Main St., S. Dennis.

Fresh Pond Conservation Area: Trails in 27 ac. of wetlands and upland woods bordering Fresh Pond. Trail entrances on w. side of Rt. 134 about 1 mi n. of Rt. 28.

Quivett Neck & Crowes Pasture Conservation Areas: Sand roads and foot trails in 71 ac. of wooded uplands, dunes and marsh. Crowes Pasture includes beach along Cape Cod Bay. Entrance at end of South St. n. of Rt. 6A.

Romig-Jacquinet & Simkins Neck Conservation Areas: Dirt roads in 75 ac. of upland woods and bordering salt marsh. Entrance on S. side of New Boston Rd. 0.6 mi. w. of Rt. 6A.

John Kelly Recreation Area: 1 1/4 mi. trail in scrub pine woods with life course. Entrances to the recreation area are on e. side of Old Bass River Rd. 0.1 mi. s. of Access Rd. and on Access Rd. 0.1 mi. e. of Old Bass River Rd.

Brewster

Punkhorn Parklands: 850 ac. area with a variety of habitats including upland woods, freshwater wetlands, kettle ponds, and abandoned cranberry bogs; area traversed by numerous dirt roads and walking, bicycling, skiing and equestrian trails. Parking lot located on Run Hill Rd. 1 1/4 mi s. of Stony Brook Rd. Three marked nature trails start at the parking lot: Calf Field Pond Trail-1 1/2 mi. through woodlands to small kettle hole ponds and marsh lands. Seymour Pond Trail-1 1/2 mi., through woodlands and around maple swamp and abandoned cranberry bogs to the shore of Seymour Pond, a large kettle pond. Eagle Point Trail -3/4 mile, mostly along the shore of Upper Millpond. Trail guides available at the entrances to the trails.

John Wing Trail: Trail across salt marsh (over boardwalk) to "island" of wooded upland and to beach and tidal flat along Cape Cod Bay; 1 1/2 mi. round trip. Trail entrance at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History on Rt. 6A, 1.7 mi. e. of the Brewster-Dennis town line. Two shorter trails, the North Trail and the South Trail also start here. Trail guides available at the Museum.

Spruce Hill Conservation Area: 1/2 mi. trail from Rt. 6A to Cape Cod Bay; trail passes through an 1840 homestead, pitch pine and oak woods, tupelo swamp, dune, and beach. Trail entrance is on Rt. 6A at Brewster Historical Society Museum, 0.2 mi. w. of Linnell Landing Rd. Trail guide prepared by Brewster Conservation Trust, Box 268, Brewster, 02631.

Bakers Pond Conservation Area: See Orleans listing.

Nickerson State Park: 1900 ac. park in woods with 5 kettle ponds and wetlands; contains a variety of facilities including campsites and walking, riding and bicycle trails; many opportunities for walkers including three loop trails around Cliff, Flax, and Little ponds. Map available at park entrance on Rt. 6A in season or at administration building off season; or contact Nickerson State Park, 3488 Main St., Brewster, 02631-1521, (508)896-3491.

Harwich

Hawksnest Park: Large network of trails and dirt roads in undeveloped state park and town conservation lands containing oak/pine woods, wetlands, and several kettle ponds. Entrances s. of Spruce Rd., 1/2 to 3/4 mi. w. of Rt. 137 just s. of Rt. 6. Please note that the one structure on Hawksnest Pond in Harwich is private property; please, no trespassing.

Thompson's Field: Dirt roads and trails in large open field and pine/oak woods in town conservation land. Entrance on n. side of Chatham Rd. 3/4 mi. e. of its intersection with Main St. (Rt. 39). Main trail extends 3/4 mi. n. to Rt. 39.

Chatham

Former Old Colony Railroad Right-of-Way: 1 1/2 mi. trail through woodlands along old rail bed between Chatham airport and Rt. 137; future spur of Cape Cod Rail Trail. Park at Town Hall Annex or Chatham Municipal Airport on George Ryder Rd.; trail entrance adjacent to the Annex and opposite hanger.

South Beach: 3 mi. walk along Chatham Harbor and Atlantic Ocean in area that has undergone extensive change since a storm-induced breach in North Beach in 1987. Park at Lighthouse Overlook on Main St. across from Coast Guard Station during the off-season or in the village when parking restrictions are enforced at the overlook.

Morris Island Trail: 3/4 mi. trail through oak/pine woodlands, salt marsh, dunes and beach; excellent birding. Trail entrance at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge headquarters on Wikis Way e. of Morris Island Rd. Impassable at high tide. Trail guide available at the Refuge headquarters.

Orleans

Paw Wah Point Conservation Area: 1/3 mi. trail loops through upland woods to beach on Little Pleasant Bay; panoramic view of bay and backside of Nauset Beach and tidal marsh on Paw Wah Pond. Trail entrance on s. side of Namequoit Rd. 1 mi. e. of Rt. 28. Trail guide available from Orleans Conservation Commission, Town Offices, Orleans, 02653, (508)240-3700 x425 and at the site.

Bakers Pond Conservation Area: 0.2 mi. loop along bluff in upland woods overlooking Bakers Pond; will eventually connect through Brewster to Nickerson State Park. Entrance 0.6 mi. s. of Rt. 6A on Bakers Pond Rd.; no pond access.

Eastham

Lamont Smith Conservation Area: 27 ac. with loop trail in pine/oak woods and blueberry swamp. Parking at end of Peach Orchard Lane, from Rt. 6 via South Eastham St. and Arrowwood Drive.

Cottontail Acres Conservation Area: 24 ac. abutting Herring Pond; 1/2 mi. trail through meadows with stands of pine, oak, and red cedar. Parking at corner of Samoset Rd. and Lawton Rd.

Wellfleet

Town of Wellfleet - Fox Island Conservation Area Trail Map (in PDF format)
Fox Island Marsh -- 29.7 acres of Wellfleet Conservation Trust land traverses pitch pine and mixed oak forest land en route to the Fox Island Marsh. Directions: One mile south of the Wellfleet Post Office, take a sharp right onto Paine Hollow Road. From South Wellfleet, 0.5 miles north of LeCount Hollow Road, turn left onto Paine Hollow Road. At fork, go left on Paine Hollow Rd. for 0.3 miles and turn right onto Baker Road. Baker will become dirt after turning left and will bend toward the north. The parking area is at the end of the road.

Massachusetts Audubon Society Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary: 1,000 ac. preserve in salt marsh, wooded upland, freshwater wetlands, ponds, and fields; 5 mi. of trails in several loops of varying length start at Audubon Nature Center; road to the Center goes west from Rt. 6, 1/4 mi n. of the Wellfleet-Eastham town line. Trail maps and guide available at the Nature Center.

Truro

Railroad Dike-Corn Hill to Pamet Harbor: 3/4 mi. trail across old railroad dike; views across salt marsh and harbor; great sunset walk. Park at Corn Hill Town Beach; trail entrance at s. end of parking lot.

Provincetown

Corn Hill to Pamet Harbor Railroad Right of Way: 1.5 mi. trail along abandoned railroad through pine and oak woods and dunes between Rts. 6 and 6A; abuts new Foss Woods Conservation Area. Trail entrances on Howland Lane and along Rt. 6A near the east edge of town.

Cape Cod National Seashore

The 27,000 ac. of upland within the National Seashore extend from Provincetown through Truro, Wellfleet, and Orleans to Chatham, and includes ocean beaches, dunes, salt marsh, woodland, and freshwater ponds; extensive trails and sand roads for walking and biking; ranger-guided activities April through November. Following is a list of self-guiding nature trails within the Seashore:

Fort Hill and Red Maple Swamp trails (Eastham): Fort Hill trail is 1.5 mi. loop through open fields with views of Nauset Marsh and Nauset Spit; connects with Red Maple Swamp trail which is 0.5 mi. long with boardwalk sections through maple swamp. Fort Hill trail entrance is off Governor Prence Rd, 0.4 mi. e. of Rt. 6; some parking available for Red Maple Swamp trail on Hemenway Rd. off Rt. 6.

Buttonbush Trail (Eastham): Trail features guide rope and texts in Braille and large print; 0.25 mi. through forest and formerly cultivated area; boardwalk bridge across Buttonbush Pond. Trail is adjacent to Salt Pond Visitor Center amphitheater.

Nauset Marsh Trail (Eastham): One-mile trail along Salt Pond and Nauset Marsh and through field and recovering forest; spectacular vistas. Trail is adjacent to Salt Pond Visitor Center amphitheater.

Doane Loop Trail (Eastham): Wheelchair accessible loop 0.5 mi. long; trail winds through emerging pine/oak forest with views of Nauset Marsh. Trail entrance is 1 mi. e. of Salt Pond Visitor Center on road to Coast Guard Beach.

Atlantic White Cedar Swamp (Wellfleet): 1.25 mi. loop in stunted oak/pine woods, boardwalk through cedar swamp. Trail entrance at Marconi Station Site off Rt. 6, follow signs to Seashore Headquarters and Marconi Site.

Great Island Trail (Wellfleet): Long trail with spectacular vistas, 7 to 8 miles round trip, through woods, salt marsh, and dunes between Cape Cod Bay and Wellfleet Harbor; the Seashore's most difficult trail; optional route can be confusing. Trail entrance on Chequesset Neck Rd. w. of Wellfleet Center.

Cranberry Bog Trail (Truro): 0.5 mi. trail through several former cranberry bogs. Trail entrance near end of N. Pamet Rd. 1.5 mi. e. of Rt. 6.

Small Swamp and Pilgrim Spring Trails (Truro): Two loops, each 0.75 mi. long, in pine/oak forest and abandoned Pilgrim farmlands. Entrances at the Pilgrim Heights interpretive shelter 0.25 mi. n. of Rt. 6 in N. Truro.

Beech Forest Trail (Provincetown): One mile trail through beech forest and along shore of Beech Forest Pond and dunes that are engulfing parts of the forest. Entrance on Race Point Rd., 0.5 mi. n. of Rt. 6.