If you like leisurely walks in some of the most beautiful settings, then Nantucket is one of the best destinations to add to your bucket list. Thanks to the never-ending efforts by the local conservation organizations such as the Land Bank and the Conservation Foundation, about 50% of the island is protected from any development.
Eel Point
This remote beach area is located on the northwestern point of Nantucket and offers some of the most spectacular views of the Madaket Harbor and the Nantucket Sound. The property is about 100 acres in size and is a preferred nesting spot for many different shorebirds. It is, in fact, one of the best places to go bird-watching on the island. There is also a beautiful beach that is not as crowded as other beaches in Nantucket. The wide and bumpy grass walking trail starts at the end of Eel Point Road. Since it is not so close to town, it is usually quiet and private.
Squam Swamp
The Squam Swamp walking trail is 1.75 miles long, which is very easy and suitable for families with young kids. On the way, you will pass by the swamps, meadows, vernal pools, bogs, and forests with sassafras, American beech trees, tupelos, and red maple trees. It is a loop walking trail that passes through boardwalks, roots, and stumps. You can find the trail at the point where Pocomo Road reaches Wauwinet Road.
The Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge
The trail at the Coskata-Coatue Refuge is one of the longest and most secluded ones on the island. The walking trail is about 16 miles long and is mostly on soft sand, so you need to be prepared with the right shoes and also to walk for at least four hours when you head there. The wildlife refuge is located on two long peninsulas at the scenic barrier beach which separates the Harbor from Nantucket Sound. It is a vast 390-acre refuge where you can spot a wide variety of animals like seals, deer and raptors, birds, and coastal flora and enjoy the mesmerizing view. The trail can be reached via a four-wheel drive vehicle with an over-the-sand permit, or you can hike there from Wauwinet. Once you get there, don’t miss the opportunity to go to the Great Point Lighthouse.
Sanford Farm, Ram Pasture
Sanford Farm, Ram Pasture is a 780-acre property that was originally considered common land for settlers of the island and was used through the 17th and 18th century as grazing land for sheep and cows, farmland, and for harvesting natural resources like wood. You will take well marked and maintained trails on a calm walk with views of a lake, grassy pastures, forests, and beaches. One of the most serene hikes one can find on the island, this trail is great for anyone looking for a relaxed walk in peaceful, varied nature. This trail is accessible year-round, and despite the long distance, it is suitable for anyone who would like to experience the various landscapes on the island.
Middle Moors
Middle Moors is the largest conserved piece of land on the island. It is 3,220 acres in size, with multiple hiking and walking trails. This extensive all-natural area consists of three parts. One is Altar Rock. It is among the highest point in Nantucket and is the best spot for a birdseye view of the island and ocean. The other two areas are: Serengeti and Pout Ponds. The area named Serengeti looks like the famous Serengeti Park in Tanzania. The entire area is covered with walking and hiking trails of different lengths and difficulty levels.
