From marsh views to a forgotten state park: Our favorite hiking trails in Harwich
Editor's note: This is part of our Best Hikes on Cape Cod series, which will highlight trails across Cape Cod all summer. Read our recommendations for hikes in Truro, Barnstable, Wellfleet, Chatham, Provincetown, Orleans, Yarmouth and Brewster, and check back each week for more.
Hiking in Harwich is a heckuva good time.
You'll come to appreciate the Harwich Conservation Trust website, which provides really nice maps and information on cool areas in the town. And on this list is one of my all-time faves of Cape Cod hiking: Bell's Neck Conservation Lands. They have an old-timey, backroads-meets-marsh vibe that I just can't get enough of.
As you start planning your Harwich adventures, make sure to take ticks into consideration. You may want to look into treating your clothing with permethrin, an insecticide that keeps ticks from clinging to your apparel. The spray form is available at many Cape hardware stores. Several clothing companies (including Insect Shield and L.L. Bean) sell clothing that is pre-treated with permethrin — the protection lasts for about 70 washes.
How to protect against ticks on Cape Cod 'Tick aware, but not tick afraid.' What you need to know about ticks on Cape Cod
As always, sunscreen and water should be part of your tool kit. So lace up the hiking shoes and let's take a look at some of the top trails in Harwich:
Bell’s Neck Conservation Lands
How about 2.75 miles of trails with incredible marsh views and a great look around West Reservoir? You'll find that and more at Bell's Neck, one of the most scenic and pleasant places on the whole Cape. If your timing is right, you might even see the herring running!
A dirt road runs through the property, connecting side trails. There are scenic bridges and plenty of wildlife to observe. If you like herons and waterbirds, bring the binoculars. Bell's Neck is a great spot to unplug from the cares of the world for a while and there's plenty of space for a nice bit of exercise.
Here is parking information from the Harwich Conservation Trust:
West Trailhead Parking: From Route 28 in Dennis Port, take Depot Street north for 1.1 miles. Turn right onto a dirt road (to identify this dirt road, look for an open gate) and travel for 0.2 mile until you reach the parking area. From Great Western Road, take Depot Street south 0.6 mile. Turn left onto a dirt road (to identify this dirt road, look for an open gate) and travel for 0.2 mile until you reach the parking area.
East Trailhead Parking: From Great Western Road, take Bell’s Neck Road (dirt) south. Drive 0.25 mile and on the left will be a small trailhead kiosk and parking area.
More: Curious Cape Cod: The state park in Harwich that time forgot
Hawksnest State Park
Hawksnest State Park is the state park that time forgot. Original plans called for the development of campsites and other facilities on the 236-acre site, but those plans never came to fruition. Now, it's a delightful and perhaps somewhat forgotten conservation area with dirt roads, informal side trails and ponds. It's a great place to explore, though you'll have to wing it a bit.
The stars of the show are the ponds: Oliver's, Hawksnest and Black. It is so refreshing to see ponds with no development around them, just pristine woods and splashy ducks. While a state campground might have been a fun and useful place, I kind of prefer Hawksnest just the way it is.
The easiest way to access Hawksnest State Park is to drive a half mile down Spruce Road, located just off Exit 85 (formerly Exit 11). Park on the side of Spruce Road where you see a dirt road heading into the woods. The dirt road takes you into the park.
More: Curious Cape Cod: Serenity rules along an amazing trail in Harwich
D. Isabel Smith Monomoy River Conservation Lands
The D. Isabel Smith Monomoy River Conservation Lands are located in a part of Harwich you may not have visited before. The parking lot is off Bay Road, a nice side street that connects Route 39 and Route 28 near Pleasant Bay. Your reward for finding the place? Exploring 77 acres of open space with 1.25 acres of trails and a nice Pleasant Bay view.
According to the Birding Hotspots website, bird sightings here over the last few years have included ospreys, fish crows, northern flickers and golden-crowned kinglets.
Here is parking information from the Harwich Conservation Trust:
From Route 39, take Bay Road one mile east to parking area on the right, opposite Blue Heron Landing.
From Route 28, take Bay Road 0.3 mile west to the parking area on left.
Eric Williams, when not solving Curious Cape Cod mysteries, writes about a variety of ways to enjoy the Cape, the weather, wildlife and other subjects. Contact him at ewilliams@capecodonline.com. Follow him on Twitter: @capecast.
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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Hiking in Harwich: Three great trails to try. Plus, where to park.
