Hiking Through Beauty Daniel Rodriguez With endless stretches of scenic shoreline, rolling hills, expansive woodlands, and hundreds of miles of protected trails through the Island’s diverse landscape, there really is no better place to take a hike. Here’s our picks for the most picturesque (and most Instagrammable!) places to explore on foot. Aquinnah Headlands Preserve This area refers to what is commonly known as the Aquinnah or Gay Head Cliffs. This spot is often named the most beautiful location in Massachusetts and for good reason. This sacred ground covers almost 50 acres and the cliffs themselves rise 100 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy views of the Charlie Utz Elizabeth Islands, the Cape Cod coastline, the Rhode Island shore, and, directly below, the Devil’s Bridge, a mile-long string of boulders and other glacial shards that proved dangerous to many in maritime history over the years. Thimble Farm This impressive cropland has long been a fixture on the Island, and is known for its innovative hydroponic greenhouses as well as a circumferential trail leading past Little Duarte’s Pond, a thick cool wetland nearby, on a preserve of over 60 acres Mytoi Japanese Garden If you weren’t expecting it you’d be surprised to find this little slice of Japanese heaven tucked away on Chappaquiddick island, a part of Edgartown. Mytoi is an intimate Japanese-style garden, which offers a natural place to escape and ponder. Sheltered by a charming cluster of pines, the preserve includes a small pond and island, flowers and plants, walkways and seating areas perfect for contemplation. If you’re looking for an outdoor venue, quiet reflection or meditation, this is the spot. 66 Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce Caroline Tuthill Preserve This parcel of land is conveniently located off of Beach Road in Edgartown and Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road. This 150-acre preserve is made up of oak and pitch pine forest, wooded wetlands, salt marsh and open meadow, and it abuts Sengekontacket Pond to the north. While walking the preserve, one might observe such birds as crows, blue jays, chickadees, towhees, pine warblers, white-breasted nuthatches and red-eyed vireos. Charlie Utz Menemsha Hills Reservation A beautiful and diverse nature reserve located off of North Road in Chilmark and a popular hike that offers a variety of natural habitats including wetland, marsh, wooded groves, and a rocky shoreline, with sweeping views of Vineyard Sound. The three miles of trails are easily passable for the moderate hiker, with some extra energy needed to summit Prospect Hill and the view is worth the extra work! For additional details on our local hikes download the handy TrailsMVapp, a user friendly app that helps you better explore and connect the various trails on Martha’s Vineyard. Happy hiking! Charlie Utz PLAY
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