The Head of the Meadow Trail offers a pleasant winding route through woodlands and marshlands tantalizingly close to the Atlantic Ocean in Truro. In fact, direct access to two of the Cape Cod National Seashore's beaches is available on either end, allowing for relaxation or play before or after a bike ride.
On the paved trail's eastern end, Head of the Meadow Beach, which also allows swimming, offers an opportunity to view an 1872 shipwreck at low tide. This is just one of many shipwrecks known to have occurred in the short distance between Truro and Wellfleet, with a staggering total of over 1,000 such accidents identified.
Parking for the Head of the Meadow Trail is available at Head of the Meadow Beach on Head of the Meadow Road in Truro. Access the parking lot from US 6. Additional parking can be found 0.5 mile to the north at High Head, which is also best reached from US 6.
Restrooms are available at Head of the Meadow Beach in summer only. Note that beach entrance fees are charged when lifeguards are on duty. Visit the Cape Cod National Seashore's official Fees & Passes website for more information.
I decided to bike this trail just to see if there was a nice plus that would offset its shortness. Alas, there was not. Yes, the surface was excellent but the entire way high brush prevented any sighting of the surrounding dunes, ocean or potential wildlife. I was there at high tide so could not verify the existence of a visible 1872 shipwreck at low tide near one of the beaches.
Flat, winding trail on brand new smooth asphalt. Not a single crack or root bump. Wish it was longer! Parked at Head of Meadow beach lot, did this as short bike before heading to the beach.
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