Many associate Cape Cod with Summertime Fun, and while those warm months are a popular time to visit, the cooler Fall season provides a special kind of magic for visitors. We’ve hosted many guests at our Brewster bed & breakfast from all parts of the world, who have sought the fresh ocean air, outdoor adventure, and peace & quiet. In addition to the plentiful sandy beaches on the Cape, there are fantastic parks and hiking trails to explore. Here are just a few of our favorite hikes to enjoy during your quiet season getaway.
John Wing Trail
Just a 5-minute walk from the Inn, John Wing is one of the trails belonging and adjacent to the Museum of Natural History in Brewster. This is a fantastic path to take, on which you’ll experience the Cape’s diverse natural habitat. Within just 1.3 miles, you’ll walk through coastal pine woodlands, across salt marshes, to Wing’s Island and the beaches and tide pools of Cape Cod Bay, where you’ll have the opportunity to see a variety of fish, crabs, shellfish, and seaside plant life. (Learn more about these ecological features at the Museum!)
Nickerson State Park
Located just 10 minutes from us down Main Street is the 1,900-acre Nickerson State Park. Endless wooded trails abound offering hours of adventure, with wooded and kettle pond scenery, very different from the coastal Cape Cod landscapes. In addition to hiking trails, there is an incredible 8-mile bike path which ultimately connects to the 22-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail (which tours through six of the Cape’s charming towns – a whole day unto itself!)
Punkhorn Parklands
Also about 10 minutes away is a lesser-known hiking destination in Brewster. Punkhorn Parklands is home to 45 different trails that wind in and out of woods, meadows, marshes, and even cranberry bogs, a celebrated staple of Cape Cod. Owned and protected by the town of Brewster, this is a unique place to spend your day and unwind.
Harding’s Beach Walk
Located just 20 minutes south in the town of West Chatham, Harding’s Beach offers a unique hiking experience involving sand dunes and views of Nantucket Sound and North Monomoy Island. About a mile-long walk across Harding’s Beach, this is a popular Cape Cod activity taking you out to the mouth of Stage Harbor and its quintessential lighthouse. Don’t forget your camera!
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
About 25 minutes up the Cape, Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is a must. Explore hillsides and shoreline trails overlooking the Wellfleet Harbor and encounter natural wildlife along the way. You’ll enjoy walking through pine woodlands, sandy beaches, and panoramic salt marshes. In addition to the natural beauty and variety of trails, the sanctuary is home to an award-winning green nature center where you’ll discover several exhibits and aquariums.
Open Tuesday-Sundays October through May. Nonmember admission is between $3-$5.
Great Island Trail – National Seashore
A bit further of a drive from the Inn, the Great Island Trail is one of the beach paths we highly recommend checking out during your stay. One of the National Seashore’s more difficult hikes, expect some increases in elevation and soft sandy trails. This is all worth it once you reach the spectacular ocean vistas. There’s a 4-mile loop and a 9-mile loop so depending on how adventurous you feel, allow most of your morning or afternoon to explore Great Island.
Stay at Brewster by the Sea Inn
Whatever you’re seeking to do during your fall or winter getaway on the Cape, make Brewster by the Sea Inn your home base. Enjoy exploring the beaches, parks, tide pools, and lighthouses during the quiet season and let us help you find your path to a beautiful adventure. Find your favorite room and start planning your peaceful escape today!
