Explore the very tip of Cape Cod: Hatches Harbor Trail

Hatches Harbor at low tide with Race Point Lighthouse

Hatches Harbor Trail is an unpaved fire road connecting the Province Lands Bicycle Trail Loop with Hatches Harbor—a tidal harbor and salt marsh. While a Herring Cove beach stroll may take you to the mouth of Hatches Harbor, the hiking trail gets you to the upper area where a dike separates the undisturbed, natural salt marsh from the northside marsh area next to the Provincetown Airport.

Hatches Harbor Trail coming out of the forest

Hatches Harbor Trail comes without orientational signage or posts; but the trailhead is easily found: it is located at the bicycle trail junction where the Herring Cove bicycle path meets the loop trail. Leave the loop and follow the trail to Herring Cove. After underpassing the Province Lands Road you will find the trailhead, consisting of a small dirt parking lot, on your right.  

Hatches Harbor at low tide with Herring Cove Beach and Massachusetts Bay in the background

Past the fire road gate at the end of the lot, a sandy trail leads first through forest, which is soon opening up. Once the salt marsh and the Race Point sand dunes are coming into view, the path follows a straight line that continues along the dike towards the dune landscape. The dike hike offers views of the Race Point Lighthouse and Massachusetts Bay.

Tidal creek at the end of Hatches Harbor Trail

The main trail ends past the bridge over the stream of salt-water flowing in or out depending on the tides. Here, you will enter a landscape of low-tide flats and tidal channels surrounded by dunes. Onwards, you will be on your own if your plan is to continue on for a visit of the historic lighthouse site or Race Point Beach. Although the lighthouse tower is visible and not that far away, you may want to check the tide table before you go. Be prepared to do some salt-water wading.

Race Point sand dune landscape

 

Map

Hatches Harbor Trail on the map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hatches+Harbor+Trail/@42.0615953,-70.2173209,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xf22a1f3bd02b2ff7!8m2!3d42.0615953!4d-70.2173209.

 

More to explore

Shaun Logan. Explore Hatches Harbor and Race Point. Website: https://www.theoutbound.com/massachusetts/hiking/explore-hatches-harbor-and-race-point.

Hatches Harbor Tidal Restoration Project. Cape Cod - National Seashore Massachusetts. Nation Park Service. Last updated: April, 2015. Website: https://www.nps.gov/caco/learn/nature/hatches-harbor-tidal-restoration-project.htm.