Cape Cod Activities: Falmouth and Woods Hole Walks

Some of Our Favorite Walks on the Cape, Cape Cod Activities

Many guests who visit the Palmer House ask us about where they can take a nice walk. The following are some of my favorite locations for beautiful and interesting places to stroll or stride, which ever your style, all wonderful places to experience some of our many Cape Cod activities.

Cape Cod Activities: The Knob Beach

The Knob Beach.

The Knob

I have written about this charming spot on several other occasions, however, I think that it deserves another mention. It is part of the twelve acre Cornelia Cary Sanctuary. The wooded trail is about half a mile long and leads to a rocky peninsula. It is an ideal location to take in a sunset or have a picnic.  You will not get a rigorous work-out but beach lovers will not be disappointed. See our post and video on The Knob or take a look at our 2013 Falmouth Beach Review.

How to Get There

Turn right as you depart the Palmer House drive. At the corner turn left onto North Main Street. That road becomes Locust Street and then Woods Hole Road. At the traffic light turn right onto Quissett Harbor Road. Just past the working harbor is a small parking area. The trail-head is directly behind the lot to the right of the harbor. Stay on the main trail through the woods for 15 minutes and you will emerge onto a crescent-shaped sandy beach tucked onto a small inlet. It is a good place for beach goers on windy or slightly chilly days. Just a little farther down the path is a hill of land jutting out into the water offering amazing views of Buzzards Bay. To enjoy the fill loop of trails, turn right as you exit the beach. The trail circles around, hugging the water, with several short offshoots crisscrossing the acreage.

Cape Cod Activities: Beebe Woods Ice House Pond

Ice House Pond.

Beebe Woods

Cape Cod Activities: Beebe Woods Hiking Trail Sign

Trail signs created by the local Boy Scouts in Beebe Woods.

This is a beautiful four hundred acre tract of conservation land.  It has miles of wooded trails that are clearly marked. Several years ago a local Boy Scout took it upon himself to as his Eagle Scout project to make wooden signs with trail names and arrows to guide hikers around the land. Hikers can see ancient kettle hole ponds that were formed by the glacier thousands of years ago and miles of absolutely beautiful Cape Cod foliage. Explore Falmouth’s Walking Trails.

Cape Cod Activities: Beebe Woods Hiking Trail

Hiking trail in Beebe Woods.

How to Get There

Turn right as you depart the Palmer House drive. Turn left onto North Main Street at the corner, then take your first right onto Depot Avenue. When you cross the Shining Sea Bike path the road becomes Highfield Drive. Bear right after Highfield Hall mansion,  pass the College Light Opera Building. You can park in the lot adjacent to the Cape Cod Conservatory building. The trail is begins to the right of the Conservatory.

Cape Cod Activities: Boats on the Beach

Boats on the Beach at on Waquoit Bay.

Washburn Island

Cape Cod Activities: Washburn Island on Waquoit Bay

View of Washburn Island on Waquoit Bay

This is a 334 acre island that is located in Waquoit Bay and is accessible by boat from Town Landing Road off Cotuit Road.  It is the island, part of the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. In addition to hiking the island offers opportunities for many other great Cape Cod activities including swimming and fishing.

How to Get There

Turn left as you depart the Palmer House drive. Follow route 28 for about 4 miles. After going over the Childs River bridge, turn right onto Cotuit Road and then left onto Town Landing Road. The Town Landing is on the left after the yacht club. For information about accessing the island, call 508 457-0495.  You have to have your own boat to get to the island but “Ride Away Kayak” rentals in Mashpee will deliver the kayaks and all other necessary equipment to the landing for you. Their number is (508) 247-0827. The island is a 30 to 45 minute paddle from the landing. It is an easy paddle  because the water is relatively calm. For more information: rideawaykayak.com


Emily Dickinson, Room 5 with a kingbed, fireplace and jetted tub

Emily Dickinson Room

While all of our rooms have their own individual charm suitable for relaxation after the most wonderful day of adventures, we recommend the Harriet Beecher Stowe room or the Emily Dickinson room. Both rooms feature comfortable king beds, fireplaces, jetted tubs and a relaxing stay before and after your market-going adventures.