There are so many things to do on Cape Cod that there is truly
something for everyone. One of the very best things about Cape Cod is
the natural beauty and variety of wildlife to see. The Cape has managed
to maintain its unique appeal through extensive protection of wildlife
areas, coastal and marshland regions and development of resources for
visitors to enjoy without damaging these areas. There are several
protected areas that offer great outings that even the most out-of-shape
person will be able to walk and enjoy.
A
smart way to allow people to experience the marshlands on the Cape has
been the building of boardwalks in several regions. Over the years
several towns have added these walks to enhance the opportunity for
people to get an up-close and personal view of these natural features.
There are several boardwalks on the Cape for you to enjoy, some even
handicap accessible. Each offers a look at a different eco-system,
teeming with a wide variety of wildlife.
The Sandwich Boardwalk
can be accessed at the end of Jarves and Harbor Streets off of Route 6A.
The boardwalk leads to one of the town beaches where you can relax and
swim or walk on the beach. Don't forget to look down at the boards as
you walk. The townspeople and friends "sold" 1,700 planks to replace the
original walk destroyed in a hurricane in the early 1990s. There are
interesting messages carved by the contributors. The boardwalk is 1,350
feet long.
Wellfleet has two boardwalks to chose from - or do
both. The first is located near the historical Marconi Station Site and
is named Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail, so you can also include that
in your visit. This boardwalk ambles through the trees and marsh areas.
It is fascinating to see the effect that the winds have had on the
vegetation, including the trees, as you walk this trail. You can find
the Swamp Trail by following signs for the Marconi site on Route 6A in
Wellfleet. The entrance to the trailhead is off the parking lot.
The
other Wellfleet boardwalk is very popular with artists and
photographers. Uncle Tim's bridge crosses Duck Creek and takes you to a
conservation area. Portions of the boardwalk are under water at high
tide, so plan carefully or you will have to walk in cold water. At the
end of the walk you can observe crabs and other sea life. You can find
the entry to the boardwalk on Commercial Street in Wellfleet.
Yarmouthport
boasts the Bass Hole Boardwalk near Grey's Beach and Chapin beach. This
860-foot-long structure extends out over marshlands rich with wildlife
and it is near walking trails and a picnic area, too. You can watch
small fish, crabs, and horseshoe crabs in the waters around and under
the boardwalk, as well as see the raised nests of the osprey that live
here. To get to the boardwalk, find Church Street on Route 6A in
Yarmouthport. Bear left off of Church Street onto Centre Street and you
will find it at the end.
Eastham has two boardwalks, both within
the Cape Cod National Seashore park. The Fort Hill Trail is 1.5 miles
long and is part boardwalk, part walking trail. It will take you through
the Red Maple Swamp, old historical town ruins, scenic salt marshes and
orchards. There is plenty of wildlife to observe in the salt marsh,
and you'll likely see children trying to catch crabs and small fish in
the low areas along the trail. You can access the Fort Hill Trail off of
Route 6 - turn right onto Governor Prence Road and go about 1/4 mile to
the parking area beyond the Captain Penniman House.
The second
trail in Eastham starts at the CCNS Visitor Center on Route 6. You can
bike or walk this trail and it will take you across Great Marsh to Coast
Guard Beach. Don't forget to visit the center before you embark on the
trail. It has lots of helpful information to make your walk even more
interesting and enjoyable.
Brewster stretches along Route 6A on
the lower Cape. The John Wing Trail, located next to the Cape Cod Museum
of Natural History, leads to Wing Island where you can explore the
grounds to see the wildlife. You can also observe osprey nests off in
the distance of the marsh area, and can even continue studying them up
close when you get back to the museum through their brand new
"ospreycam". The ospreycam is a newly sponsored project in 2006 and is
wired to large screens in the center where visitors can watch these
birds in their natural habitat. There are already seasonal "residents"
in the nest. The boardwalk trail begins next to the museum on Route 6A
in Brewster.
