10 Cape Cod Hikes off the Beaten Path


PUNKHORN PARKLANDS
BREWSTER
At 875 acres, Punkhorn Parklands is an ideal
spot for a peaceful hike through cranberry
bogs, forests and around Upper Mill Pond.
Two main trails—the 4.7-mile Eagle Point Blue
WILLIAM DESOUSA-MAUK
Trail and the 1.8-mile Punkhorn Yellow and
Orange Loop—lead through a rich landscape
of red maple swamps, huckleberry brambles,
and mixed pitch pine and oak forests. These
dog- and family-friendly trails are also
popular among birders.
WAYNE EARL CHINNOCK
MONKS PARK
BOURNE
Adjacent to the Little Bay Conservation Area,
Monks Park features rolling hills formed by
glaciers, peaceful pine and oak forests, and
sandy shores. This network of trails provides
eye candy views and several scenic spots for
kayakers, paddleboarders and those hoping to
dig for quahogs or blue crabs. The Valley Bars
Circle trails are short, but connecting to Little
WAYNE EARL CHINNOCK
Bay Conservation Area can extend your hike.
FORT HILL TRAIL
EASTHAM
A serene, one-mile loop within the Cape
Cod National Seashore, Fort Hill Trail offers
tranquil views of Nauset Marsh. Popular
among birders and hikers, this easy
trail meanders through open 昀椀elds and
connects to the Red Maple Swamp Trail
for those seeking a longer walk. In late
spring and early summer, vibrant purple
lupine 昀氀owers blanket the 昀椀elds, creating
an Instagram-worthy backdrop for any
nature lover.
40
CAPE COD TRAVEL GUIDE « 2025
capecodchamber.org
Paperturn flipbook