This Scenic Massachusetts Hike Is Even Better With Friends

When my dad moved to Cape Cod, he started a hiking group as a way to meet people who shared his interest in hiking and enjoying the great outdoors. After all, it's more fun to hike with friends, right? Since its beginning a decade ago, his club has amassed over 1,500 members, and I often go on hikes with his hiking club friends when visiting throughout the year. I am going to share one of his favorite hikes, which is not only an incredibly scenic Massachusetts hike to do in winter, but also one that's best enjoyed in the company of friends. Now, this hike is a bit strenuous, as portions of it involve trekking along a sandy beach to an island, but it's well worth the effort if you have the physical ability to conquer it. So, pack your snacks and water, lace up those hiking boots, and gather your friends for the Nauset Beach to Pochet Island hike.

What to Know About Nauset Beach and Pochet Island

Located in Orleans, a town at "the elbow" of the Cape Cod peninsula, Nauset Beach is one of several popular town beaches that become crowded during the summer. The sand stretches about 10 miles along the Atlantic coast, and the powerful surf makes it an ideal destination for surfers. Visiting during the summer months means you'll have to pay for parking, but once September rolls around, there's no charge to visit this outstanding Cape Cod beach. And as the weather gets cooler and winter approaches, you won't find too many people out on the sand for a stroll.

Pochet Island is a 150-acre privately owned island, although hikers are allowed to explore as long as they follow the rules: no automobiles, no camping, no fires, and no hunting. The island is reachable only by boat or on foot from Nauset Beach. Over the years, we have met a couple of family members who own the island, and they are welcoming and more than happy to share information about the beloved island. As you are walking the trails on this charming island, you'll find a house and a few cottages, woods, a salt marsh, and numerous bird species. Please respect the property when visiting.

Details on the Nauset Beach to Pochet Island Hike

The Nauset Beach to Pochet Island hike is 5.4 miles round-trip and takes over two hours to complete. You'll park at the Nauset Beach parking lot and head to the sand, traveling south. As the first mile and a half are along the beach, I would add extra time (I'd set aside 3.5 hours in total) and also make this trek during low tide. While the trail is rated "easy" on AllTrails, I can assure you it isn't—trudging through sand makes it challenging, and I would call this a hard or strenuous hike instead.

After hiking through sand for 1.5 miles, you'll veer off onto a sandy path and over a wetlands footbridge to the island. You'll walk past the main house, through the forest, and past the cottages on the island. There are even benches where you can sit, take in the magnificent views, and realize how special Pochet Island truly is.

Why Hike on Cape Cod in Winter?

While summer draws hordes of tourists, causing traffic jams along Cape Cod's main route, Route 6, the peninsula is relatively quiet with mostly residents and the occasional day tripper. During the summer, parking is at a premium, which you will pay for whether it's at a beach, a pier, or on the main streets of a town. Winter is a different story, depending on where you are, of course. While Nauset Beach in Orleans charges parking fees during the late spring through the summer months, there's no parking charge during the winter. Furthermore, there's plenty of parking in the lot, so no threat of being turned away if the lot is full. My dad prefers planning hikes in the off-season and often offers more hikes than in the summer months when parking can be costly and/or hard to find.

Another reason is the weather. Cape Cod doesn't receive as much snow as other parts of Massachusetts, and when the sun is shining, the temperatures are cool but not typically freezing, and there is usually not too much wind. However, check the weather forecast before making a hiking plan with your friends, and be sure to bundle up in layers, as Cape Cod in the winter can still be cold.

If you've never done the Nauset Beach to Pochet Island hike, it's an enjoyable winter hike to tackle with friends—I speak from experience! The family that owns this island is its steward, tending to it as if it were a member of the family, because it is. It's thanks to their generosity that we can appreciate the peaceful beauty and the wildlife that inhabit this area. For trail information and a map, head to AllTrails. After your hike, head to The Alley in Orleans for some BBQ and bowling!

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own winter hiking trip in Massachusetts using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.