January 1, the Lower Cape Way—Quiet, Outside, On Purpose

Practical walks. Real places. A clean start—without pretending.

On the Lower Cape, January 1st isn’t treated like a blank slate. It’s treated like a first step—outside, in the cold, on ground that already knows you. That’s the logic behind First Day Hikes Cape Cod: free, guided walks that meet people where they are, at times that make sense, in places locals already trust.

Here’s what’s actually happening—and why each one works for different kinds of starts.

🌅 Before the Year Gets Loud

Sunrise Beach Walk · Monomoy · Chatham · 7:00–9:00 AM

This one starts early on purpose.
You meet at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge (30 Wikis Way), walk out toward Morris Island, and watch the first sunrise of 2026 come up over open water and sand spits. Mary Hake, a retired National Park Service wildlife biologist, leads a 1–1.5 mile walk afterward, pointing out winter birds and signs of wildlife you usually miss later in the day.

It’s quiet, focused, and grounded. Free, but registration is required.

🌲 A Familiar Trail, Two Chances to Show Up

Frost Fish Creek Walks · Chatham · 10:00 AM–12:00 PM or 12:00–1:00 PM

Both walks start from Monomoy Regional Middle School (425 Crowell Road) and follow the Frost Fish Creek Trail. Same route, two time windows—built for real schedules.

These are straightforward, guided walks hosted by the Chatham Conservation Foundation as part of the region-wide First Day Hikes program. Easy pace, familiar terrain, and enough time to walk or talk as much as you want. Free, registration required.

🌊 What Restoration Looks Like on the Ground

Cold Brook Eco-Restoration Tour · Harwich · 11:00 AM–1:00 PM

Meet at the Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve for a two-mile guided walk led by Tom Evans, President of the Harwich Conservation Trust. You’ll walk established trails—including a new half-mile All Persons Trail—and see Cold Brook flowing freely through the 66-acre preserve for the first time in over a century.

This is a working landscape with a clear before-and-after story. The walk runs 1.5–2 hours, is free, and space is limited. Dress for weather.

🌿 An Hour That Doesn’t Ask Much

Mill Pond Valley Walk · Orleans · 1:00–2:00 PM

Meet at 13 Champlain Road and walk into the Mill Pond Valley Conservation Area with the Orleans Conservation Trust. This is a simple, one-hour walk through woods and water—no elevation challenges, no long haul.

It’s part of the larger First Day Hikes Cape Cod celebration, and it’s exactly what it sounds like: a steady hour outside to let the day—and the year—settle in. Free, registration required.

🌲 More Texture Underfoot

Calf Field Pond Trail · Punkhorn Parklands · Brewster · 1:00–2:30 PM

Starting on Run Hill Road, naturalist Phil Kyle leads a deeper walk through Brewster’s Punkhorn Parklands along the Calf Field Pond Trail. Expect a richer understory, varied tree species, and local history layered into the route.

The terrain is sloped in places, with roots and small obstacles—nothing extreme, but not a sidewalk stroll either. Free, registration required.

🧘 A Calm Way to Close the Day

QiGong in Nature · Coy’s Brook Woodlands · Harwich · 2:30–3:30 PM

Before sunset, QiGong instructor Andrea Belford leads a gentle session focused on posture, breathing, and mindful movement, grounded in the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water). The practice is followed by a short, scenic half-mile walk.

It’s quiet, accessible, and designed to leave you steadier than when you arrived. Free, limited space, registration required.

The Common Sense Behind It

None of these walks promise transformation.
They don’t push goals or outcomes.
They just give you a place to be on January 1st—and a reason to step outside.

On the Lower Cape, that’s usually enough.

👉 Pick the walk that fits your morning, your body, and your mood. The year can sort itself out after.