Nantucket should be on your bucket list of must-visit places as an avid adventurer. It is not only one of the most famous New England holiday destinations, but it is also full of surprises that you will love if you are an outdoor person.
Among the attractions on the island are beaches, hotels, forests, and hiking trails. Our attention is on the many hiking trails that you will find on the island.
You may get confused when choosing an ideal hiking spot. This should not be a problem as we bring you a list of the finest hiking trails that you can explore.
-
Eel Point
Located in the northwestern part of the island, Eel Point is the perfect spot for hiking and photography. The ecosystem provides an excellent hub for nesting shorebirds. You will see some of the birds that make up the diverse fauna of Nantucket.
The beach looks amazing and is punctuated by several shallow saltwater lagoons. It is a calming place, and the scenery is simply comforting. Accessibility to this nature trail is through a soft sand road off Eel Point road. Parking is available, with a driving road for 4×4 vehicles.
A suitable way to access the road is by foot, which allows you to see the niceties on the island. You can also pick an accommodation that is near the area. The closest neighborhoods with many rental properties available are Dionis and Madaket.
-
Lost Farm
If you are into bird watching, Lost Farm is the place to be. It is Nantucket’s largest pitch pine forest and home to species like pine warblers, saw-whet owls, eastern towhees, and black-capped chickadees. You can hear the birds gently humming if your timing is right.
Additionally, you may take a stroll to the Hummock Pond, which is home to other bird species.
Lost Farm is the perfect sanctuary if you want some alone time and natural shade far from the beaches. The hiking trail is open daily from dawn to dusk, and admission is free. However, you can give donations.
-
Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge
This wildlife refuge contains many rare plant and animal species. It is an excellent place to explore with your family in your free time.
You access Coskata-Coatue via narrow soft sand roads, which need 4X4 vehicles. You will need a vehicle permit to access this refuge, which you get at the Wauwinet Gatehouse. The conservancy remains closed to cars between May and August to protect endangered birds.
-
Sanford Farm
Located along Cliff Road, Nantucket, Sanford Farm has the characteristics of your typical nature trail. Its history goes back to the 17th and 18th centuries when it was grazing land for sheep and cattle. Presently, it is a picturesque scene for bikers, hikers, and dog walkers.
Some of the amazing things you will notice on this trail include the Hummock Pond, the ocean, a small forest, and a grassy patch. You may also catch a glimpse of ospreys that nest in this area.
-
Milestone Cranberry Bog
Near the heart of Nantucket is the Milestone cranberry bog, the largest and oldest cranberry farm on the island. It has been around for nearly 150 years and continues to flourish.
The primary activity in Milestone bog is cranberry farming, and you may learn a thing or two about the history of the cultivation of this crop in Nantucket.
The rolling hills and grasslands that decorate the establishment make for an excellent nature trail. A stroll on the property results in a rare encounter with deer, some types of hawks, and various plants. It is a great place to be with your family or if you want some solo time to catch up on hobbies such as reading.
-
Squam Swamp
The other trail to check out when in Nantucket is Squam Swamp. It is located on Wauwinet Road and is a 1.75-mile round trip suitable for a nature walk. The scenery is breathtaking, punctuated with hardwood trees, swamps, shrubs, vernal pools, and freshwater bogs.
Squam Swamp is the perfect nature trail if you are into nature photography, as there are several things to capture and add to your portfolio. The trail has markings for easy navigation, and a provided brochure will guide you on your hike. The vernal pools are breeding grounds for amphibians, reptiles, and some bird species.
-
Sesachacha Heathlands
To the eastern part of Nantucket, you find the gem that is Sesachacha Heathlands. You will observe two rare habitats in Massachusetts: the sandplain grassland and coastal heathland.
Moreover, you will encounter Sesachacha Pond, Nantucket’s largest body of brackish water. The pond is home to over 300 bird species, meaning you will have a field day as a bird watcher.
Other attractions on the 5-mile trail are the huckleberry, which turns the moorlands into a scarlet shade in November.
It is a calm nature trail that you can tackle during the mornings before the heat goes up. Admission is free, but you can also donate to its conservancy.
You can check-in Sesachacha at any time, as it is open daily from dawn to dusk.
-
Middle Moors
Closing our list of the finest trails in Nantucket is Middle Moors. It is the most extensive stretch of undeveloped land on the island, totaling around 3220-acres. The Altar Rock, the Serengeti, and the Pout Ponds are some of the key attractions on the Middle Moors.
The Altar Rock, standing at 100 feet above sea level, is one of the most dominant attractions in the conservancy. When the weather is calm and clear, you can hike this rock and get a perfect view of Pocomo Head, Polpis Harbor, Sankaty Head Light, and Coatue.
You should also check out the Serengeti, which is acres upon acres of low-growing vegetation. It is a good place for picnicking with your loved ones or observing nature.
Closing Remark
Nantucket has something for everyone. For lovers of the outdoors who are ready to go for an adventure on this island, the above curated list of top hiking trails will come in handy. Most are accessible for free during the day though you may donate something for their conservancy.
If you are tired of seeing the beach and the city center, take a refreshing break by going on a nature trail on the island.