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.
Google Maps
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.
David Clark/AllTrails
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.
Elizabeth Cappel/AllTrails
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.
Reem Leduc/AllTrails
This moderate trail is considered one of the best trails in Massachusetts.

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When starting the hike, you'll mostly be on harder-packed sand.
Stefanie Hale/AllTrails
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.
Barbara Owens/AllTrails
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.
Kelli Burgess/AllTrails
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.
Brian Baumgaertel/Google Maps
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:

 

 

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More to Explore

More Fun in Massachusetts

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | July 15, 2023

Where can we find the best beaches in Massachusetts?

  • Half Moon Beach in Gloucester boasts crystal-clear waters and is easily one of the most beautiful beaches in the state.
  • Nauset Beach is a narrow bit of beach that sticks out from the "elbow" of Cape Cod in Chatham.
  • Brant Rock Beach is a rough and rocky natural beach is located on the coast in Marshfield.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other delightful beaches in Massachusetts.

Where can we find the best nature spots in Massachusetts?

  • Dinosaur Footprints In Holyoke is loaded with hundreds of footprints embedded in the rocks.
  • The Aquinnah Cliffs are among most stunning locations on Martha's Vineyard.
  • The town of Danvers is home to the oldest cultivated fruit tree in America.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other amazing nature spots in Massachusetts.

Where can we find some of the best attractions in Massachusetts?

  • The Franklin Park Zoo in Boston is home to a tropical forest as well as a myriad of cute animals.
  • The Tiki Hut Boats in Salem take passengers on a cruise around the historic Port of Salem.
  • The Cape Cod Inflatable Park in Cape Cod is the largest inflatable park and water park overall in the country.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other fantastic attractions in Massachusetts.

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Great Island, Wellfleet, MA 02667, USA