Although it may be one of the most popular summer vacation spots in the country, and the people on this quaint island may swell up five times during the peak of the season, it is still a place where you can get immersed in nature and forget about all the hustle and bustle of the big city.
Thanks to the never-ending support and efforts by the local conservation organizations, authorities, and the Nantucket community, about 50% of the land on this New England island is protected and considered a conservation territory. Because of this policy, unlike in other upscale island resorts, in Nantucket, all beaches are open to the public and free to access. The same goes for its entire coastline.
The island has several wildlife reserves and other conservation territories which you can explore while you are visiting Nantucket. You can plan and book a nearby located house for your stay if you want to be as close to nature as possible.
Here are some of the best walking and hiking trails to take in order to enjoy the natural scenery and untouched nature on Nantucket.
Eel Point
This is a remote beach property located on the northwestern coast of Nantucket. There you can enjoy some of the best views of the Nantucket Sound and the Madaket Harbor, as well as spot and admire some rare shore birds.
Eel point is a preferred area for nesting by different birds and is the perfect secluded walking trail for birdwatchers and nature lovers.
You can reach it at the end of Eel Point Road, where this grass-covered trail begins.
Tupancy Links
Tupancy Links used to be the location of the first golf course in Nantucket, which used to be mowed by herds of sheep and angora goats. But it was gifted by its owner to the local Conservation Foundation to prevent further development and protect its flora and fauna.
Today it is a popular walking and hiking spot and a preferred destination for family picnics, dog walking, and birdwatchers.
The expansive grassland is covered with wildflowers and native and imported grasses. You can enjoy a beautiful view of the bay and Nantucket Sound as you take a leisurely walk there.
The trail itself is easy and short. You can complete the 0.9 miles in just about 18 minutes, so it is an excellent place for a brief walk or jog, even with young children.
It is located about a mile from Main Street and starts at 165 Cliff Road.
Squam Swamp
Squam Swamp is a loop walking trail that is 1.75 miles long. It is an excellent place to enjoy a peaceful walk among the swamps, bogs, vernal pools, meadows, and the red maple, tupelo, American beech tree, and sassafras forests.
It is even and easy, so it is a preferred spot for families with children.
The entire loop can be completed in about 48 minutes, and the path passes over stumps, roots, and boardwalks.
You can get to the trail if you take Pocomo Road from town and reach Wauwinet Road.
The Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge
The Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge encompasses a total of 390 acres of perfectly preserved wildlife. It is located on a remote and picturesque barrier beach that separates Nantucket Sound from the Harbor.
Since it is one of the most remote walking trails from town and is the longest in Nantucket, you should be prepared to walk for at least 4 hours. Plus, most of the 16-mile walking and over-sand trails in the refuge are on soft sand, so wear suitable shoes when heading there.
There are hundreds of coastal plants, birds, and animals like deer, raptors, and seals you can spot during your walk. Best of all, you can walk right to the Great Point Lighthouse, located at the northwestern point of the island.
You can reach the trail by hiking from Wauwinet or with a 4WD and a permit for over-the-sand driving from the local authorities.
Lost Farm Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary has an area of about 75 acres of protected land and a network of 5-mile-long walking trails. The trails go around Hummock Pond and pass through the largest pine forest on the island. This is an excellent spot for bird watching, as the forest is home to hundreds of different birds like Black-capped Chickadees, Eastern Towhees, Pine Warblers, and more.
The trails at Lost Farm Wildlife Sanctuary are an excellent choice if you are looking for a remote and quiet place to enjoy the untouched nature away from the crowds and noises of town.
Middle Moors
With a size of 3,220 acres, Middle Moors is the most extensive undeveloped and conserved piece of land in Nantucket. The land is divided into three areas, including Serengeti, Altar Rock, and Pout Ponds.
The entire area is covered with walking and hiking trails of different lengths and difficulty levels.
Alter Rock is one of the highest points on Nantucket, so its peak offers a one-of-a-kind birds-eye view of the entire island and the ocean.
Serengeti, as its name suggests, is like the famous Tanzanian park of the same name. There are even some fun cutout wooden figures of wild African animals along the trails.
Masquetuck Reservation
This 13-acre natural preserve has a walking trail that offers an opportunity to get immersed in nature while vacationing in Nantucket.
The trail is short and will take you about 10-15 minutes to complete, but it will take you past a freshwater bog, some salt marshes, shrublands, grasslands, and meadows, and through a hidden forest with old and rare trees.
You can find the trail if you take Polpis Road from town and turn left at Quaise Pastures Road. The main path leads to the beautiful beach. There is a side path you can take if you want to enjoy a panoramic view of the Polpis Harbor and the beach from above.
