EasyHarwich

Cape Cod Rail Trail (Harwich)

Listed & VerifiedVerified Oct 6, 2026

Part of the Cape Cod Rail TrailWhere to park, every official lot

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What is Cape Cod Rail Trail (Harwich) like?

The Cape Cod Rail Trail is a 25.5-mile paved DCR rail trail running from Yarmouth to South Wellfleet; its Harwich stretch passes the Headwaters Drive trailhead and links to Thompson's Field and the Hinckleys Pond preserve. The smooth asphalt path is ideal for cyclists, walkers, runners, inline skaters, and strollers, winding past ponds and woodlands.

Plan your walk

Cape Cod Rail Trail (Harwich)

Directions to the trailhead

Headwaters Drive, Harwich, MA

Check conditions before you go. Trail details from Mass.gov (DCR) (opens in a new tab)

When should you go?

Best time to go

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What’s the trail like?

Length: Not noted
Difficulty: Easy
Surface: Paved
Dogs: Allowed (leashed)
Kids: Kid-friendly
Accessible: Wheelchair, Stroller
Views: Not noted
Good for: Biking, Walking, Hiking

What should you know before you go?

Parking

Free trail parking at the Headwaters Drive lot, 55 Headwaters Dr, Harwich.

Dogs

Allowed (leashed)

Managed by

Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR)

What you'll see

Dog-friendly, Forest, Kid-friendly, Pond, Stroller-friendly, Wheelchair accessible

Where is the trailhead?

Headwaters Drive, Harwich, MA.

Get directions

Get directions Open in Google Maps

Where else can you walk in Harwich?

Easy · 1.8 mi
D. Isabel Smith Monomoy River Conservation Lands
Natural trail · Harwich Conservation Trust
A scenic 1.8-mile loop along nearly half a mile of Monomoy River (locally called Muddy Creek) in East Harwich. The trail winds through forest with benches positioned over the river, ending at a distant view of Pleasant Bay. A birder's favorite for herons and shorebirds; dogs are not permitted on this preserve.
Listed & Verified · Verified 2026-06-25
See details
Easy · 0.3 mi
Muddy Creek Headwaters Preserve
Natural trail · Harwich Conservation Trust
A 17-acre preserve with 1,400 feet of frontage on the headwaters of Muddy Creek, acquired by the Harwich Conservation Trust in 2017. A short loop trail passes through open meadow, shrub wetland, and wooded upland — a surprisingly diverse habitat for such a compact parcel. The trailhead is accessed from Church Street off Route 137.
Listed & Verified · Verified 2026-06-25
See details
Easy · 2.75 mi
Bell's Neck Conservation Lands
Natural trail · Harwich Conservation Trust / Town of Harwich
259-acre conservation area surrounding the freshwater West Reservoir and brackish East Reservoir along the Herring River. About 2.75 miles of trails wind past sweeping salt marsh, tidal creeks, and wind-ruffled water. A premier birding spot for ospreys and black-crowned night herons; each April river herring climb the herring ladder at the west trailhead. Canoe/kayak launches near each trailhead.
Listed & Verified · Verified 2026-06-19
See details
Easy · 2.75 mi
Thompson's Field Conservation Area
Natural trail · Town of Harwich / Harwich Conservation Trust
57-acre town conservation area of open fields and woods, purchased in 1984 to protect groundwater feeding the adjacent public wellfield. About 2.75 miles of trails cross a mosaic of grassland and pitch-pine/red-cedar woods bisected by the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Popular with dog-walkers and birders thanks to its open-field habitat.
Listed & Verified · Verified 2026-06-19
See details
Easy · 2 mi
Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve
Mixed · Harwich Conservation Trust
66-acre wetland and upland preserve where a 2025 eco-restoration returned retired cranberry bogs to free-flowing wetlands along Cold Brook, which runs from spring-fed Grassy Pond to Saquatucket Harbor. About 2 miles of trails cross the brook on berms in three places, and a half-mile wheelchair-accessible All Persons Trail loops the bogs. Home to 280+ plant species and a 44-box bluebird trail. Named for HCT founding trustee Robert F. Smith.
Listed & Verified · Verified 2026-06-19
See details
Moderate · 2.3 mi
Hawksnest State Park
Natural trail · Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR)
230-acre DCR-managed state park in Harwich's Six Ponds district, a 'hidden gem' of old Cape Cod. DCR maps about 2.3 miles of trails (more exist), a mix of dirt fire roads and singletrack looping around Hawksnest, Oliver's, and Black Ponds. Popular blue-rated mountain-biking singletrack ridable both directions, set among pitch-pine woods and clean-air lichens.
Listed & Verified · Verified 2026-06-19
See details

Every Harwich trail Trails across the Cape

Directions

What is Cape Cod Rail Trail (Harwich) like?

Where else can you walk in Harwich?

Easy · 1.8 mi

D. Isabel Smith Monomoy River Conservation Lands

Natural trail · Harwich Conservation Trust

A scenic 1.8-mile loop along nearly half a mile of Monomoy River (locally called Muddy Creek) in East Harwich. The trail winds through forest with benches positioned over the river, ending at a distant view of Pleasant Bay. A birder's favorite for herons and shorebirds; dogs are not permitted on this preserve.

Listed & Verified · Verified 2026-06-25

See details

Easy · 0.3 mi

Muddy Creek Headwaters Preserve

Natural trail · Harwich Conservation Trust

A 17-acre preserve with 1,400 feet of frontage on the headwaters of Muddy Creek, acquired by the Harwich Conservation Trust in 2017. A short loop trail passes through open meadow, shrub wetland, and wooded upland — a surprisingly diverse habitat for such a compact parcel. The trailhead is accessed from Church Street off Route 137.

Listed & Verified · Verified 2026-06-25

See details

Easy · 2.75 mi

Bell's Neck Conservation Lands

Natural trail · Harwich Conservation Trust / Town of Harwich

259-acre conservation area surrounding the freshwater West Reservoir and brackish East Reservoir along the Herring River. About 2.75 miles of trails wind past sweeping salt marsh, tidal creeks, and wind-ruffled water. A premier birding spot for ospreys and black-crowned night herons; each April river herring climb the herring ladder at the west trailhead. Canoe/kayak launches near each trailhead.

Listed & Verified · Verified 2026-06-19

See details

Easy · 2.75 mi

Thompson's Field Conservation Area

Natural trail · Town of Harwich / Harwich Conservation Trust

57-acre town conservation area of open fields and woods, purchased in 1984 to protect groundwater feeding the adjacent public wellfield. About 2.75 miles of trails cross a mosaic of grassland and pitch-pine/red-cedar woods bisected by the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Popular with dog-walkers and birders thanks to its open-field habitat.

Listed & Verified · Verified 2026-06-19

See details

Easy · 2 mi

Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve

Mixed · Harwich Conservation Trust

66-acre wetland and upland preserve where a 2025 eco-restoration returned retired cranberry bogs to free-flowing wetlands along Cold Brook, which runs from spring-fed Grassy Pond to Saquatucket Harbor. About 2 miles of trails cross the brook on berms in three places, and a half-mile wheelchair-accessible All Persons Trail loops the bogs. Home to 280+ plant species and a 44-box bluebird trail. Named for HCT founding trustee Robert F. Smith.

Listed & Verified · Verified 2026-06-19

See details

Moderate · 2.3 mi

Hawksnest State Park

Natural trail · Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR)

230-acre DCR-managed state park in Harwich's Six Ponds district, a 'hidden gem' of old Cape Cod. DCR maps about 2.3 miles of trails (more exist), a mix of dirt fire roads and singletrack looping around Hawksnest, Oliver's, and Black Ponds. Popular blue-rated mountain-biking singletrack ridable both directions, set among pitch-pine woods and clean-air lichens.

Listed & Verified · Verified 2026-06-19

See details