Cape Cod Boardwalks
Peaceful Walkways For All Season
While wonderful trails criss-cross our sandy peninsula, leading hikers through breathtaking marshland, lush woodland and along working cranberry bogs, strollers shouldn't overlook the Cape's boardwalks. These peaceful walkways offer splendid scenery during any season of the year.
A beautiful public beach awaits at the end of the Sandwich Booardwalk
The Sandwich Boardwalk
The Sandwich Boardwalk fords Mill Creek across Sandwich Harbor to a lovely public beach. Relax on the benches for awhile, comb the shoreline for treasures, or take a short trek over the sand to the Cape Cod Canal.
In the early 1990s, a hurricane and subsequent storm destroyed the original boardwalk here. However, residents and friends banded together to raise funds by selling 1700 planks to complete the new 1350-foot walkway.
Half the fun of visiting this boardwalk is reading the contributors' messages carved into the planks. Some pay tribute to loved ones lost. Others like "Friends from Connecticut," "Mom's Beach 1992" and "Squibby from M.V." remind us of past visitors. "Old Man River" and "Hey Diddle Diddle" grace two of the planks. A third cautions "Slippery when Wet." Perhaps, though, our favorite is "Meet Here," a cryptic invitation to visit often.
To reach this walkway, follow Route 6A, Sandwich, to Jarves Street. The boardwalk is at the end of Jarves and Harbor Streets.
The Bass Hole Boardwalk stretches across lush marshlands.
The Bass Hole Boardwalk, Yarmouthport
The Bass Hole Boardwalk stretches across lush marshland near Gray's Beach. As you walk along this 860-foot boardwalk, look for the Osprey nest across the marsh to your left. Chapin Beach in Dennis is to your right. The buildings in the distance are part of Aquacultural Research Corporation. This Cape company breeds quahogs, which are then planted in beds in Wellfleet waters until large enough to harvest, then sell.
While enjoying the surrounding scenery and sunsets here, look below the boardwalk as well. Small fish, fiddler crabs, horseshoe crabs and other wildlife live in the shallow waters. The Callery-Darling walking trails and a picnic area are also nearby.
To reach this walkway, follow Rte. 6A,Yarmouthport, to Church Street (look for the playground). From Church Street, bear left onto Centre Street and follow to end.
The John Wing Trail, Brewster
The John Wing Trail, wooden planks through a sassafras grove and salt marshes, leads to Wing's Island. In the mid 1600s Edward Bangs of the Mayflower Company owned the island. Later, John Wing purchased the property and lived there until about 1656. At one time, salt works operated here and salt hay was harvested. The trail begins behind the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, on Route 6A in Brewster.
Cape Cod National Seashore, Eastham
The two boardwalks in Eastham are within the Cape Cod National Seashore. If you're up for a 1.5 mile walk, choose the Fort Hill Trail, which includes a spur loop through the Red Maple Swamp. Part of the latter is a boardwalk. From Route 6/North, turn right onto Governor Prence Road (look for the Fort Hill signs). Continue about 1/4 mile to the parking area just past the Captain Edward Penniman House.
The other trail featuring a boardwalk begins at the CCNS Visitor Center, Route 6 (at the lights), in Eastham. Here, you can bike or walk across the Great Marsh to Coast Guard Beach via a stunning boardwalk.
The Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail, Wellfleet
The Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail is located near the Marconi Station Site in Wellfleet, so put both stops on your itinerary. As you follow the meandering boardwalk, notice that the trees further inland away from the mighty Atlantic grow gradually taller. From Route 6/North, look for the signs to the Marconi Site and Marconi Beach on your right. Turn left, following signs to Marconi Site. The trailhead is off the parking lot.
Uncle Tim's Bridge, Wellfleet
Uncle Tim's Bridge, the subject for countless artists and photographers, crosses Duck Creek and the inner harbor, leading to an island conservation area. Access this boardwalk from Commercial Street in Wellfleet.
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