Explore Scenic Cape Cod Bike Trails and Walking Paths:
Leisurely walking along Cape Cod’s miles of continuous sand beaches and dunes is an unforgettable way to experience the natural beauty that Cape Cod has to offer.
Another memorable way to enhance your Cape Cod experience is to explore the variety of natural landscapes displayed along a number of Cape Cod bike trails and hiking paths.
There are several trails on the outer cape that are within easy walking or biking distance from North of Highland Camping Area…
Head of the Meadow Bike Trail: This 2 mile paved bike trail through the Cape Cod National Seashore Park has scenic views of the beach dunes, and North Truro’s Salt Meadow pond. The bike path is predominantly flat throughout, so is easily accessible for most riders young and old.
The bike trail begins less than a half mile from North of Highland Camping Area, near the National Park’s entrance to Head of the Meadow Beach (on the left as you approach the beach). The bike path ends at the base of High Head Road near Pilgrim Lake (the original East Harbor) where there is a small parking area and path leading back over the dunes to a further beach. Along this Cape Cod bike trail you will capture views of the dunes and beautiful Cape Cod landscape including a variety of wild flowers, and other indigenous plants (some shown below). Midway on the trail you will pass the connection to Pilgrim Spring hiking trail, which leads past the historic spring that may have provided the early pilgrims with their first fresh water on Cape Cod. There is parking both at Head of the Meadow Beach and at High Head.
Pilgrim Spring Trail / Pilgrim Heights: This walking path through the pine and oak forest is a 0.7 mile loop extending from the scenic observation shelter at Pilgrim Heights, down to Pilgrim Spring where there is a plaque honoring the early Pilgrims’ arrival and their exploration of Cape Cod. This Cape Cod trail ultimately leads further on to Head of the Meadow Bike Trail. Although the trail is fairly easy there are some moderate grade sections with log steps. At Pilgrim Heights there is a picnic area with seasonal restrooms facilities and parking.
Smalls Swamp Trail / Pilgrim Heights: This 0.6 mile walking loop begins and ends at the Pilgrim Heights covered observation shelter, and includes a short boardwalk section as well as some log steps. It leads through an area that early- European settlers had originally farmed, but has now been reclaimed by the growing pine and oak forest.
Head of the Meadow Trail
View of Salt Meadow and Coastal Dunes
Pilgrim Spring Trail
Some of the most well known Cape Cod Bike Trails and Walking Paths:
The Province Lands Trail (Provincetown): Biking or running along the scenic Province Lands Trail is one of the most popular ways to experience the natural wonder of Cape Cod. This hilly and somewhat challenging bike path winds on a 5.25 mile loop (with side trails leading to local beaches at Race Point and Herring Cove can add another 2 miles) through the Cape Cod National Seashore’s more than 4000 acres of protected natural terrain. This Cape Cod bike trail is available to bicyclers, roller bladers, joggers and walkers alike. Along the trail you will be treated to tremendous views of the varied Cape Cod landscape, including dunes and the coastline of Cape Cod, as well as marsh areas, cranberry bogs and several saltwater kettle ponds. Parking and restrooms are available at the National Park’s Province Lands Visitor’s Center (shown below) where there is a fine gift shop and information center where the National Park Service regularly presents videos. The Province Lands Visitor’s Center has a raised observation deck with viewing scopes looking out over the Outer Cape Cod landscape stretching to the dunes and ocean along Cape Cod’s coastline. The dramatic views from along the biking path and the variation in contours and turns make this well cared for trail one of our favorite of all of the Cape Cod biking trails.
Other Popular Cape Cod Bike Trails:
Nauset Marsh Trail / Salt Pond Visitor’s Center (Eastham): This Cape Cod bike trail starts at the Salt Pond Visitor’s Center and extends 1.6 miles through the cedar, pine and oak forest. Along the way the trail crosses a wooden bridge that spans a portion of the salt pond marsh, providing an excellent up close view of Cape Cod’s tidal wetlands. You can also take a 0.6 mile side loop on the Doane Trail through the forest which includes a picnic area and additional parking. Ultimately the Nauset Marsh Trail ends at Coast Guard Beach where you can catch a dramatic panoramic view looking out over the Atlantic Ocean near the Coast Guard Station.
The Cape Cod Rail Trail (Wellfleet to South Dennis): This 22 mile Cape Cod bike trail famously runs along the right-of-way for the Old Colony Railroad which was once an active transportation route serving much of Cape Cod. The Cape Cod Rail Trail is the most widely traveled of the Cape Cod bike trails and walking paths. The paved way leads through several of Cape Cod’s quaint towns, past beaches, cranberry bogs and salt marshes as well as main streets. Parking is available at both ends of the Cape Cod Rail Trail, on Lecount Hollow Road in Wellfleet and in South Dennis as well as at several other points along the Cape Cod Rail Trail in between.
If you are Walking or Hiking:
Pamet Area Trails (North Truro): This moderately difficult walking trail is 0.6 miles out and then 0.6 miles back again. The trail includes great views of the Pamet landcape overlooking the ocean, and the Pamet valley as well as a former cranberry boghouse that had been used for commercial harvesting. There are log steps and the terrain can be steep leading up to the overlook.
Fort Hill Trail (Eastham): This 1 mile loop starts with an outstanding scenic overlook of the Nauset Marsh Area. It crosses open field areas and connects to Red Maple Swamp Trail. If you plan to walk the trails be sure to bring your bug repellant, as the horse flies and mosquitos can be a nuisance, but the view from up near the parking area alone is worth the trip.
Looking for Accommodations on Cape Cod?
One of the best ways to fully experience the natural beauty of Cape Cod is through exploring some of these Cape Cod bike trails, nature hikes and scenic overlooks, finding quiet places to soak in the peace and tranquility of the Cape Cod landscape. If you enjoy the outdoors and being active, then what better way to stay on Cape Cod, then camping near the beach, surrounded by nature.
Come experience all that Cape Cod has to offer conveniently from North of Highland Camping Area in North Truro, near the tip of Cape Cod.
We provide a quiet, family friendly environment on nearly 60 wooded acres that are completely surrounded by the natural beauty of the Cape Cod National Seashore, yet we are still only a quick half mile walk from stunning Head of the Meadow Beach in North Truro, and only minutes from bustling Provincetown and Wellfleet. North of Highland Camping Area has been owned and operated by the Currier family for three generations providing some of Cape Cod’s most desirable tent camping for more than 60 years.
OTHER NEARBY CAPE COD ATTRACTIONS:
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Walk to Head of the Meadow Beach
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More Bayside and Oceanside Beaches are only minutes away
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Historic and Quaint Towns of Wellfleet, Truro and Provincetown
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Dining – Wide variety of dining options ranging from finer restaurants to fried seafood or ice cream shops
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Local Artist Galleries
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Shopping – Diverse and eclectic mixture of stores you won’t find anywhere else
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Museums and Historic Areas
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Pilgrim Monument – Climb the tallest all granite structure in the USA up 116 steps and 60 ramps to reach the top of the 252 foot tower with views overlooking Provincetown and the harbor.
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Whale Watching
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Charter Fishing Boats
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Boat and Kayak Rentals
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Walk along the Provincetown Jettie Barrier to the very end of Cape Cod.
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Highland Light – Cape Cod’s oldest active light house built in 1767
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Truro’s Center for the Arts at Castle Hill – You can join in Truro’s artistic community with Castle Hill’s art programs and instruction in painting, mixed media, clay, print making, sculpture, jewelry, photography and writing workshops
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Shipwrecks and Pirate’s Treasure – See and learn about the real life treasures and artifacts recovered from the Wydah pirate shipwreck or explore your own shipwreck remains in the shifting sandbars along Truro’s oceanside beaches
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Golfing at Highland Links – Play a memorable round of golf in the Scottish Links tradition