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Punkhorn Parklands: Brewster, Cape Cod

With over 800 acres dotted with walking trails and wide, dirt roads, Punkhorn Parklands in Brewster is a terrific place for hikers and mountain bikers. Walkers Pond, Upper Mill Pond and Seymour Pond hug the perimeters of this conservation area, also rich in woodlands and wetlands.

Through the 1600s, the Saquatuck tribe inhabited this area. In the 1700s, the land served as a common area for grazing sheep. A century later, cranberries flourished within, and the bogs, although untended, still produce some berries today. In the late 1980s, the town purchased the majority of acreage as conservation land.

The name for this conservation area means, "place of spongy wood." As you walk the narrow trails through marshland, you'll discover thoughtfully-placed planks over "spongy" patches.

To reach Punkhorn, take Route 6A in Brewster to Stony Brook Road (at the flashing yellow light). From Stony Brook, turn onto Run Hill Road and continue to the parking lot on the left, a half mile after the Town Disposal area. There is a large map here, so stop to orient yourself. There are usually trail guides in the box.

The Eagle Point Trail to the right of the parking lot will give you a good feel for the terrain. Although it is short, it travels uphill to a very scenic overlook on Upper Mill Pond. Although two eagles have made a home here, we did not catch sight of them on a recent visit last fall.

Along the trail, you'll discover a memorial plaque to former stewards of the land. It reminds us, "We don't inherit the earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children." If you venture down the road at the start of this trail, you'll discover a lovely pavilion overlooking a pond, a peaceful spot for a picnic. Plan to launch a canoe or small sailboat at the adjacent boat landing on a future visit.

For a change of pace, leave the trails and follow one of the Punkhorn's many dirt roads--especially if you've come for a day of mountain biking. Although there are signs throughout the area reassuring you that you're still in the park, given the Punkhorn's size, it is easy to get lost or unintentionally wander into private property. So, get an early start, assess your bearings frequently and plan your return before dusk.