The 1961 founding of Cape Cod National Seashore , which set aside the majority of the Lower Cape as parklands, inspired a broad-based conservation movement to protect the Cape and Islands' fragile ecology. Since then, Cape Cod's municipal governments and more than a dozen private land trusts have acquired thousands of acres of land for the preservation of open space and environmentally sensitive habitats. The Cape and Islands have excellent four-season hiking. With a climate tempered by the ocean, it's generally cooler in summer and warmer in winter than in inland areas. In spring, wildflowers bloom, and migrating birds stop off on their way north.
Summer provides the opportunity for combining hiking with swimming.
Fall lingers longer here than elsewhere in New England and is a delightful time for hiking, while winter offers solitude and crisp, blue skies. We've selected six hikes that show off the splendor of Cape Cod's wildlife. Walking distances given at the beginning of each hike are round-trip. Walking times are an estimate of the time it takes to walk each route at a leisurely pace, allowing time to stop and enjoy viewpoints and other sights along the way. Nearly 4000 Trips Work Outdoors at GORP Jobs Click Here.