There’s so much to do at Cape Cod that there’s really something for everyone. One of the best things about Cape Cod is to see a variety of natural beauty and wildlife. Cape wildlife areas, coastal and marshy areas managed to maintain unparalleled appeal through extensive conservation and the development of resources for visitors to enjoy these areas without harm. There are various protected areas that offer great sightseeing that will even be able to walk and enjoy the most out-of-shape person.
A smart way to let people experience the swamps on the Cape was to build boardwalks in various areas. Over the years several towns have added these walks to improve the opportunity for people to get an up-close and personal look at these natural features. There are a few boardwalks you can enjoy on the Cape, some even accessible to the disabled. Each offers a glimpse into a different eco-system filled with a wide range of wildlife.
Sandwich Boardwalk can be reached from the end of Jarves and Harbor Streets at the end of Route 6A. Boardwalk and swimming or walking on the beach lead to one of the town’s beaches. Don’t forget to look at the boards when you walk. Townspeople and friends “sold” 1,700 planks to replace the original march, which collapsed in a hurricane in the early 1990s. There are interesting messages carved by contributors. The sidewalk is 1,000 feet long.
Wellfleet has two boardwalks selected or both. The first is located near the historic Marconi Station Area and is called Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Road, so you can add it to your visit as well. This board is wandering among the trees and swampy areas. It’s fascinating to see the impact of the wind on plants as we walk down this path. You can find the Swamp Trail by following the signs of the Marconi district on Route 6A in Wellfleet. The entrance to the trail is outside the parking lot.
Other Wellfleet boardwalk is very popular with artists and photographers. Uncle Tim’s bridge crosses Duck Creek and takes you to the guard area. Boardwalk sections are high tide underwater, so you will have to plan carefully or walk-in cold water. At the end of the walk, you can observe crabs and other marine life. You can find the entrance to the pavement on Commercial Street in Wellfleet.
Yarmouthport features a bass hole boardwalk near Grey Beach and Chapin beach. This 860-meter-long structure stretches over wildlife-rich marshes and is very close to hiking trails and picnic areas. You can watch small fish, crabs, and horseflies crabs in the waters around and below the board, and see the raised nests of the osprey that live here. Find Church Street on Route 6A in Yarmouthport to get to the curb. Leave Church Street and land on Centre Street and a bear you can finally find.
Eastham’s Cape Cod National Coastal Park has two boardwalks. The Fort Hill Trail is 1.6 miles long and is a part boardwalk, part hiking trail. It will take you from the Red Maple Swamp to the ruins of the old historic city, natural salt marshes, and orchards. Plenty of wildlife to observe in the salt swamp, and most likely you will see children trying to catch crabs and small fish in low areas along the trail. You can access fort hill trail from Route 6 — turn right on Governor Prence Road and go about 1/4 mile to the parking lot beyond Captain Penniman House.
The second trial in Eastham begins at the CCNS Visitor Centre on Route 6. You can cycle or walk down this road and the Coast Guard will take you through Beach Great Marsh. Don’t forget to visit the center before you go on the trail. It has a lot of useful information to make your walk even more interesting and enjoyable.
Brewster stretches down along Cape Route 6A. Located next to the Cape Cod Natural History Museum, John Wing Trail opens to Wing Island, where you can explore the garden to see the wildlife. You can also observe osprey nests in the distance of the marsh area, and even continue by taking a closer look at them when you return to the museum with the brand new “osprey glass”. Osprey glass is a new sponsored project in 2006 and is wired to big screens in the center where visitors can watch these birds in their natural life. In the nest, there are already seasonal “inhabitants”. The Boardwalk trail begins next to the museum on Brewster Route 6A.
Boardwalks are not unique, but those in Cape Cod offer a special taste of nature and many don’t miss out on a view of the cape. When you’re looking for things to do at Cape Cod, experience the Cape in a new and different way — you and your family will love it.
