Try these great Cape Cod summer hikes: Shade, swimming, vistas and more

When the hot weather hits Cape Cod , finding a good spot to hike can get a little tricky. While some folks seem to thrive on hours of full sun exposure, I tend to melt like butter in a skillet. So I'm always on the lookout for walks that provide a solid serving of shade and maybe even a chance to swim.

Of course, anytime you enter the woods on Cape Cod, the tick clock starts ticking. You want to avoid narrow trails with leg-brushing vegetation, where those horrid little vampires await a delicious blood meal (you). That can lead to all sorts of malaise later on.

And while I am a huge fan of longer hikes, sometimes a short summer walk is perfect for a hot day — it's enough of an outing to earn a scone or even a donut!

So here are some cooler Cape Cod hikes to consider this summer:

Eddy Bay Trail, Brewster

It's always a pleasure to drive down Lower Road in Brewster , one of the most pleasant streets on Cape Cod. It peels off Route 6A near the Brewster General Store and about a half mile down the road you'll see the pull-off parking spots for the Eddy Bay Trail . The short hike (about a mile round trip) begins with a spin through a grove of holly trees and takes you toward Cape Cod Bay, passing through a peaceful woodsy world.

The highlight comes when you reach the highest bluff in Brewster at the end of the trail, which offers a commanding view of the bay. It's especially awesome around low tide, when the legendary Brewster flats seem to stretch into infinity. If you want to add a little distance to the hike, you can explore the nearby Eddy Sisters Trail, located about 150 yards from the Eddy Bay Trail trailhead.

D. Isabel Smith Monomoy River Conservation Lands, Harwich

I recently discovered the D. Isabel Smith Monomoy River Conservation Lands in Harwich on one of my frequent safaris to Ocean State Job Lot in Chatham . There's a nice parking lot located on Bay Road, about a third of a mile from Route 28. There are about 1.25 miles of trails to explore, winding through pleasant woods and along a bluff that overlooks the Monomoy River.

One thing I'm always hoping for along a trail is a good vista, preferably with well-positioned benches that allow me to rest my hams and contemplate important things, like the Red Sox starting pitching and whether chipmunks and squirrels are friends. And this spot delivers an amazing box seat setup above the Monomoy River with comfy seating and a splendid view.

The Knob, Falmouth

The yin and yang of the Knob in Falmouth goes something like this: without a doubt, it is a Cape Cod bucket list location. A short and scenic trail leads you out to a rocky neck that offers off-the-charts views of Buzzards Bay and Quissett Harbor. The area is also home to Crescent Beach, where you can take a dip in the warm bay waters.

On the other hand, this wonderful spot is wildly popular (for good reasons), and there is extremely limited parking at the end of Quissett Harbor Road (maybe ten spots or so). I have been close to sobbing at the Knob when I couldn't find a spot for the Curious Prius. But if you get lucky, the place is awesome.

A worthwhile investment: Nickerson State Park, Brewster

As a noted pinchpenny, I am usually allergic to opening my wallet for a hike. But the combination of hiking and swimming options at Nickerson State Park in Brewster is totally worth the $8 entrance fee for Massachusetts residents, and even the $30 investment for out-of-state residents.

That's because your entrance fee gives you access to swim in a couple of the great kettle ponds of Cape Cod: Flax Pond and Cliff Pond. And the Cliff Pond Trail , a beautiful three-mile loop, circumnavigates Cliff Pond, allowing plenty of opportunities for a refreshing dip. So splurge a little, splash a lot and get some fresh air!

Eric Williams, when not solving Curious Cape Cod mysteries, writes about a variety of ways to enjoy the Cape, the weather, wildlife and other subjects. Contact him at ewilliams@capecodonline.com . Follow him on X: @capecast.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Try these great Cape Cod summer hikes: Shade, swimming, vistas and more