Happy Trails

Six hikes that will show you the natural beauty of this island—and rev up your appetite for a fine dinner later!

ARTICLE BILL BARLOW

Given that Cape Island covers less than four square miles, you’d think it would be difficult to get lost around here. You’d be surprised. Deep forests, rolling dunes and expansive wetlands are easily within reach and can add a whole new dimension to your vacation in America’s Original Seaside Resort.

Miles of hiking trails await in Cape May Point State Park, in the adjoining South Cape May Meadows nature area and in the wild expanse of Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area. Surrounding Beach Plum Farm in West Cape May and the beaches of the Delaware Bay, these reserves comprise more than 1,000 acres of virtual wilderness.

“Higbee’s is a gem. It really is,” says Matt Pelligrine, a naturalist with Cape May Point State Park, home of the famous lighthouse. The area offers an extraordinary variety of habitats—and a chance to glimpse an equally extraordinary variety of wildlife.

Pelligrine suggests setting aside at least three hours to explore the paths of Higbee Beach on foot and added a note of caution—it’s easier to get lost in the tangled briars and shifting dune paths than many expect. (But don’t worry—your phone’s GPS will work in this area.)

There are walks on Cape Island for any level of stamina or enthusiasm. There are short walks in the state park and the quarter-mile stroll near Cape May Bird Observatory’s Northwood Center in Cape May Point. There are also day-long adventures.

Leading nature walks is part of Pelligrine’s job, but he’s also out there on his days off. One of his favorite summer routes starts at the Cove in Cape May at the western end of Beach Avenue. He walks the beach past the meadows and the World War II bunker, enjoys a cooling dip in the lifeguard-protected waters off Cape May Point, then exits the beach and winds his way back toward Cape May through the shaded paths of the state park and meadow trails.

The paths won’t take you all the way back to the Cove, so at some point, the walk must either return to the beach or move over to Sunset Boulevard.

Some sections of the beach are closed in summer for the protection of endangered species, but you can always walk along the water line. Here are the island hikes you shouldn’t miss. And remember to wear a good pair of walking shoes—flip-flops won’t cut it.

Entrance at Lighthouse Avenue

Point to day-long adventures. Trails range from a half-mile to 1.5 miles, Leading nature walks is part of Pelligrine’s job, but he’s also out there on his days off. One of his favorite each in a loop summer routes starts at the Cove in Cape May at the Hiking Level: easy to moderate western end of Beach Avenue. He walks the beach No dogs allowed past the meadows and the World War II bunker, enjoys a cooling dip in the lifeguard-protected waters off Beyond the historic white lighthouse, which greets you

Cape May Point then exits the beach and winds his at the park’s entrance, there is a parking lot. On one way back toward Cape May through the shaded paths side, next to the lighthouse, is a visitor’s center and of the state park and meadows. museum. On the other side of the parking lot is a hawkThe paths won’t take you all the way back to the watch platform with trailheads to the left. Cove, so at some point, the walk must either return to the beach or move over to Sunset Boulevard. Some sections of the beach are closed in summer for the protection of endangered species, but you can always walk along the water line. Here are the island hikes you shouldn’t miss. And remember to wear a good pair of walking shoes—flip-flops won’t cut it.

Views of Cape May’s famous sentinel from the delightful trails at Cape May Point State Park.

692 Sunset Boulevard One-mile loop trail, with connections to other trails and to the state park Hiking Level: easy No dogs allowed

The main trail runs from the gravel parking lot off Sunset Boulevard, offering an excellent chance to see wading birds, ducks, geese, hawks and eagles. One mile loop trail, with connections to other trails and to the state park.

More than 1,000 acres Accessible from the western end of New England Road and Sunset Beach Hiking Level: moderate difficulty, with soft sand and winding paths Beach access • Dogs must be leashed

In the northwest corner of Cape Island, at the end of New England Road, sits the rutted parking lot of Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area. A path leads through wooded dunes to a Delaware Bay beach, an option popular enough that the parking area is usually packed in the summer. Another option from the New England Road parking lot is a blue-marked trail leading through the dunes to Davey’s Lake, a rare freshwater lake set close to the bay.

Northwood Center

701 E. Lake Drive Cape May Point Hiking Level: easy Quarter mile

For those just starting out, or those who don’t want to commit to a long walk, take the short trail at Cape May Bird Observatory’s Northwood Center, across from Lake Lily.

Garrett Family Preserve

801 Wilson Street Hiking Level: easy

Most of the six trails are a fraction of a mile long, geared more for meandering through what was once a family farm, while the orangemarked perimeter trail runs two miles along the outside of the preserve.

Cape May Promenade

Along Beach Avenue from 2nd Avenue to Madison Avenue Hiking Level: easy

The Cape May promenade stretches for nearly two miles, taking you on a scenic walk or run past Cape May’s beaches.

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CAPE RESORTS

LOCATIONS 1 200 Congress Place Congress Hall 200 Congress Place 29 Perry Street 2 The Star 29 Perry Street Virginia Hotel & Cottages 3 Virginia Hotel & Cottages 25 Jackson Street 25 Jackson Street 11 Beach Avenue 4 Sandpiper 11 Beach Avenue 205 Beach Avenue 5 Beach Shack 205 Beach Avenue Congress Place Suites 6 Congress Place Suites 302 Washington Street 302 Washington Street 7 Beach Plum Farm 140 Stevens Street 140 Stevens Street 8 West End Garage 484 West Perry Street 484 West Perry Street

GREAT HIKING TRAILS GREAT HIKING TRAILS

EASY TO MODERATE EASY TO MODERATE 9 9 The Garrett Family Preserve The Garrett Family Preserve 801 Wilson Street 801 Wilson Street 10 Cape May Promenade 10 Cape May Promenade Beach Avenue - 2nd Avenue to Madison AvenueBeach Avenue - 2nd Avenue to Madison Avenue 11 Northwood Center 11 Northwood Center 701 East Lake Drive 701 East Lake Drive 12 Cape May Point State Park 12 Cape May Point State Park 215 Lighthouse Avenue 215 Lighthouse Avenue 13 Cape May Meadows 13 Cape May Meadows 692 Sunset Boulevard 692 Sunset Boulevard 14 Higbee Beach 14 Higbee Beach 1 Higbee Beach Road 1 Higbee Beach Road

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AROUND CAPE MAY

WALKING DESTINATIONS 801 Wilson Street 7 Beach Plum Farm 140 Stevens Street Beach Avenue - 2nd Avenue to Madison Avenue 8 West End Garage 484 West Perry Street 701 East Lake Drive 12 Cape May Lighthouse 215 Lighthouse Avenue 215 Lighthouse Avenue 15 Sunset Beach 502 Sunset Boulevard 692 Sunset Boulevard16 Emlen Physick Estate 1048 Washington Street 1 Higbee Beach Road 17 Cape May Convention Hall 714 Beach Avenue

AROUND CAPE MAYView hiking maps online!

WALKING DESTINATIONS 7 Beach Plum Farm 140 Stevens Street Visit CapeResorts.com/Hiking (or follow the QR code 8 West End Garage 484 West Perry Street below) for maps of our favorite Cape May hikes. 12 Cape May Lighthouse 215 Lighthouse Avenue 15 Sunset Beach 502 Sunset Boulevard 16 Emlen Physick Estate 1048 Washington Street 17 Cape May Convention Hall 714 Beach Avenue