The Little-Known Beach In Massachusetts You Can Only Reach By Hiking This 2-Mile Trail

Unless you're a local or have vacationed on the outer Cape for many years, you may not have heard about Great Island on Cape Cod. It is connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land known as "The Gut," with the Wellfleet Habor on one side and the Cape Cod Bay on the other. This island is home to a little-known beach in Massachusetts and is worth getting to with a bit of hiking. So come with us as we explore this wonderful state gem and enjoy one of the best hikes in Massachusetts!

The parking lot for Great Island is located where Chequesset Neck Road and Griffin Island Road meet.

To get there, you have to drive through the harbor area of Wellfleet, pass by Mayo Beach, and continue on until Chequesset Neck Road ends.

At the free parking lot, you'll find the trailhead for Great Island Trail.

Part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, Great Island and Wellfleet are connected by a thin piece of land known as "The Gut."

Make sure you have a good pair of hiking shoes or boots on as the trail is sandy most of the way.

You'll first descend down a set of stairs through the forest until you get to the sandy beach.

The Great Island Trail and The Gut out-and-back hike is approximately 1.9 miles long.

This moderate trail is considered one of the best trails in Massachusetts.

When starting the hike, you'll mostly be on harder-packed sand.

Keep your eyes out for small holes by the edge of the beach grass - that's where you can see hundreds of fiddler crabs!

Take in the spectacular views of Wellfleet Harbor as you hike.

You may also want to time your hike at low tide, especially if you want to explore the island beyond this particular trail.

On the Cape Cod Bay side, you may notice a couple of offshoots along the trail that lead up through the hilly dunes.

Take one of these and you'll be led to a gorgeous pristine beach. You may even have it all to yourself!

You can always go back and continue hiking along the Great Island Trail, but a walk along the beach may be in order instead.

And if you're looking for a spot to watch the sunset, this Great Island beach is perfect - just make sure you take a flashlight with you and head back to the parking lot before dark!

Have you hiked to this little-known beach in Massachusetts? If so, let us know in the comments! To learn more about the trail and to see what other hikers have to say, visit the Great Island Trail page on AllTrails. You can also discover other awesome hikes in the area on AllTrails+. Visit the National Park Service Great Island Trail website for trail conditions, closures, and other information.

The Bay State is filled with magnificent hidden gems like the World's End in Hingham. Located on a peninsula, you'll find hiking trails, a beach, and some of the most spectacular views of Boston.

If you’re still in the mood for more Old Bay State adventures, take a look at this video: