Walker Point in the West Barnstable Conservation Area

Cape Cod is full of great places to hike and mountain bike, and you can choose areas with different terrain types depending on what you want to experience that day.

For example, if you're into a leisurely walk, run, or bike ride, the Cape Cod Rail Trail, Shining Sea Bikeway, and Old Colony Rail Trail provide you with flat, paved paths through some of the Cape's most scenic landscapes.

When you're in search of something a little more adventurous, you'll want to visit the inland trails. These hiking and biking areas are a bit bumpier and feature significant tree cover, offering a peaceful experience away from the Cape's bustle.

There's a large natural area between Mystic Lake and the Mid-Cape Highway in West Barnstable that offers unique hiking and biking opportunities. The West Barnstable Conservation Area, as it's known, is minutes from active communities like Osterville, Hyannis, and Sandwich while providing a serene escape for Cape Cod residents.

The area is 1,200 acres in size and features over 21 miles of trails through a canopy of American beech, white pine, American holly, red oak, and sassafras, making it the perfect place to get in touch with nature. And at the end of your journey, Walker Point, featuring some of the Cape's most sweeping views, is waiting for you.

Here's some information on one of Cape Cod's least known yet most beautiful hiking and biking areas.

The Area's Significance

The West Barnstable Conservation Area was a popular motorcycle enduro loop in the 1970s. Eventually, it became a mountain biking area, and today motorized vehicles are banned on the trails.

Walker Point is dedicated to the memory of Steven D. Walker, a local mountain biker who frequented the area before his passing. There's a viewing deck at the point, which the New England Mountain Bike Association built using a grant offered by the Barnstable Conservation Department.

The deck itself features some seating and has a map showing the trails that run through the park. It also offers sweeping panoramas of the tree canopy and is one of the only places in Barnstable where you can get above the vegetation. The sights are gorgeous, and the park is well worth a visit, if only for a peek from this viewpoint.

The deck is also only a short distance from another hill that, at 232 feet, is the highest point in Barnstable. You can ride or hike to the top of this peak, as well, for even more views of the surrounding area.

How to Get There

There are dozens of ways to get to Walker Point, depending on how far you want to walk or ride.

The shortest path is less than 1,000 feet from Popple Bottom Road, which you can access via Great Hill Road. Taking this trail involves driving through a residential area and continuing up a dirt road before walking up a short hill to reach the observation deck.

Of course, the shortest path isn't always the most rewarding, so you can choose from various other trails if you want to make a day of your time in the West Barnstable Conservation Area.

One such starting point is Crooked Cartway. This road runs through a residential area before abruptly ending at a locked gate. You can begin your ride or hike at this gate, and it's about a mile-long journey to the observation deck. There are other trails to explore before or after you reach the terrace, too, giving you all kinds of riding opportunities.

Numerous other trails begin on the east side of the park on Route 149 and Osterville-West Barnstable Road. There are access roads that enter the conservation area, each leading to multiple trails along the way. You can also take the access road through the park if you're worried about getting lost in the woods.

There are trails at the park's north end, but that area has a shooting range, so many are closed to the public. Obey all of the signs to ensure you don't end up in a dangerous location.

Where to Park

The West Barnstable Conservation Area doesn't have a central parking lot where every visitor will leave their vehicle. Instead, there are locked gates around the perimeter of the park that act as parking spaces.

The one exception is the paved parking area off Race Lane in the park's southwest region. This lot is a fair distance from Walker Point, but it's an excellent option if you're riding your bike.

The other parking area in the southwest section of the park is the gate, as mentioned above, on the Crooked Cartway.

The park's southeast section has a dirt parking area just south of the Cape Cod Airfield. You'll have to cross Race Lane and head up Crocker Road to reach the trails.

There's a parking area on Route 149 almost directly across from the Barnstable Municipal Golf Course. This area only has room for about four vehicles and is a long ride from the viewing deck.

You'll find a couple more parking pull-outs on the east side of the park off Osterville-West Barnstable Road and the Mid-Cape Highway.

All of the parking lots are marked with signs for the West Barnstable Conservation Area and have maps providing an overview of the trail system before you depart.

Some of the Cape's Best Views

When searching for some of the most breathtaking views on Cape Cod, you might have a preconceived notion that you have to visit the ocean. Now that you know about Walker Point, though, you can head out and see some of the Cape's most beautiful sights in a peaceful inland environment.

You'll never run out of great activities to try once you buy a home on Cape Cod, and if you're into biking or hiking, this trail system will provide you with years of enjoyment in West Barnstable.