Since the New England island of Nantucket is a mere 14 miles long and is 3 to 5 miles wide, with a total size of 47.8 square miles, most of it is easily accessible and can be explored by foot.
No matter whether you are looking for a leisurely stroll by the beach, take a wood trail path or explore the undeveloped wilderness and all kinds of terrains on the island, you are bound to have a good time if you decide to enjoy some hiking and walking in Nantucket.
There are some unique beach walk paths, as well as trails and bike paths, forests, moors, bogs, wildlife sanctuaries, and dirt roads you can explore once you set foot on this picturesque island.
So, here are some ideas for hiking to consider once you have booked your trip and found the most suitable accommodation in Nantucket. Thankfully, there are some unique private homes available for guests at Congdon & Coleman. They are spread in all areas of this island.
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Eel Point
This is the place to go if you love hiking and birding. It is a beach property that is at the northwesternmost point of the island of Nantucket. Eel Point offers stunning views of Nantucket Sound and Madaket Harbor.
It is also the best location on the island for viewing shorebirds in their natural habitat.
This beach property, located on the island’s northwest corner, is a significant nesting area with spectacular views north of Nantucket Sound and west over Madaket Harbor toward Tuckernuck.
You can see various shorebirds, such as terns, oystercatchers, plovers, and more flying over the rolling dues and shallow and calm lagoons.
The point is accessible via a road of soft sand from the end of the Eel Point Road.
Lost Farm Wildlife Sanctuary
This wildlife sanctuary is located at Hummock Pond Road and has a size of 75 acres. The hiking trails are 5 miles and are free to access and use from dawn to dusk.
At this sanctuary, you can spend time in a more serene atmosphere away from the crowds on the beaches and the streets. Instead, you can walk and relax in the largest pine forest on the island, where you can enjoy viewing and listening to the many birds in the area, including Eastern Towhees, Pine Warblers, Black-Cappaer Chickadees, Saw-whet and Barn owls, and more.
There are a lot of other wildlife mammals and beautiful plants and flowers you can spot while spending time at Lost Farm Wildlife Sanctuary.
Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge
This is one of the most famous wildlife refuges on the island and has an area of 390 acres consisting of a barrier beach separating the Harbor from the Nantucket Sound.
The refuge is home to some unique and rare animals, birds, and plants. It is also the place with one of the most scenic beaches in Nantucket.
The refuge can be accessed via a 4WD if you have an Over-sand Vehicle Permit. But there is also transport to Wauwinet so that you can hike as well. There are organized hikes from town, which will take you from the Coskata Pond and then on a 5.5-mile trip through the trails to the picturesque Great Point Lighthouse.
This is one of the longest hiking trails, so make sure you plan to walk for about 3.5 to 4 hours or more. And since most of the walking is on soft sand, you should be prepared for a more strenuous walk, wear suitable shoes or hiking boots, and carry water, snacks, sunblock, and bug spray.
Sanford Farm
Sanford Farm was used as a grazing area for cows and sheep in the past, and now has several excellent walking and running trails which you can enjoy. It is perfect for bikers and dog walkers too. If you walk the Ocean Walk trail, which is 6 miles, you can enjoy some stunning views of the ocean and of Hummock Pond. The end of the trail leads to the southern waterfront and offers a view and access to both Cisco and Madaket beaches. So make sure to pack a bathing suit too. This trail is perfect for enjoying the sunset in the early fall.
Milestone Cranberry Bog
This is the largest and the oldest cranberry bog in Nantucket and has been growing cranberries for over 150 years.
Apart from being a major source for the commercial cranberries, which are crucial for the economy and heritage of the island, the Milestone Bog is also surrounded by the Middle Moors freshwater ponds, grasslands, and hills where the deer roam, the red-tailed hawks live and hunt, and there are some rare plants.
You can get to the area by starting at the Rotary and then heading east on Milestone Road. After about 4.2 miles, you will see the entrance for the bog marked by a large rock with the number 220 on it.
Squam Swamp
This area encompasses some freshwater bogs, swamps, meadows, vernal pools and red maple, tupelo, sassafras, and American beech tree forests.
There is a 1.75-mile hiking trail and an optional interpretive brochure that will inform you of the land’s history, geology, and ecology. Once you reach the southern part of this trail, you can head towards the Squam Farm.
To get to the Squam Swamp trailhead, take Wauwinet Road from Polpis Road up to Pocomo Road.
Sesachacha Heathlands Wildlife Sanctuary
This is a rare wildlife sanctuary consisting of two habitats – the sandplain grassland and coastal heathland. It is located in eastern Nantucket and also includes the largest brackish water pond, which attracts over 300 different types of birds, such as Eastern Towhees and Northern Harriers.
The total area of the Sesachacha Heathlands Wildlife sanctuary is 875 acres, and the trail mileage is 5 miles.
The paths are sandy and mostly unmarked and will take you through grassland, which resembles a prairie, and the huckleberries in the moorlands are particularly spectacular in October.
Middle Moors
This area is the largest undeveloped piece of land on the island of Nantucket. Its size is 3,220 acres and consists of three main areas, including Pout Ponds, Serengeti, and Altar Rock.
Alter Rock is the fourth-highest point in Nantucket and rises at 100 feet above sea level.
It offers a breathtaking view of a large part of the island, including Coatue, Sankaty Head Light, Great Point Light, Polpis Harbor, and Siasconset.
Pout Ponds are kettle ponds named after a legendary giant by the Native American population.
The Nantucket Serengeti is 400 acres in size and consists mostly of low grasses and vegetation, hence the name. For an added thrill, there are added wood cutout figures of zebras, gazelles, and lions throughout it.
The entire sanctuary is covered by intersecting hiking trails and roads. To reach Altar Rock, take Polpis Road and head east. After about three miles, turn on Altar Rock Road, where you will see a parking lot and find a map of all trails.
