Hiking trail on Grape Island, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
GENERAL INFORMATION
There are roughly two miles of inland trails on Grape Island, part of Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. You can also walk around the entire island along the shoreline, a 1.25-mile trek. I hiked all of the inland trails and did the shoreline loop in about two hours: an hour and fifteen minutes for the inland trails and forty-five minutes for the shoreline loop.
During my early August visit I did not run into any mosquitoes, gnats, or flies. However, the island has plenty of ticks, so stay on the designated trails.
INLAND TRAILS
The inland trails on Grape Island have numbered posts along their paths that correspond to information in a printed trail guide. The general idea is that you pick up the guide prior to the hike, and when you get to a numbered post, refer to that stop number in the guide and read the information about either the history or the environment near the stop on the trail. The trail guide is / was available in a brochure box at the dock. I included “was” available in my statement because the public ferry no longer services Grape Island, and I seriously doubt there are any more trail guides, or even a brochure box, since very few people, particularly park Rangers who would stock the brochure box with trail guides, visit the island these days. Luckily, I created a map of Grape Island (below) that shows all the numbered posts. While you most likely will not be able to get the trail guide, you at least have an organized path to follow if you download a copy of my map before heading out to Grape Island.
Grape Island map (click to enlarge)
I’m not going to recap my hiking exploits because Grape Island is only 54 acres, but I will point out a few highlights and things to be aware of. The terrain is moderately hilly, and the trail surface is mainly grass. While most of the hike is through the forest, the trees and shrubs aren’t very tall, so you are often out in the open. Wear a hat and apply sunscreen if avoiding the sun is important to you.
Typical trail at Grape Island, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
There are two hills on Grape Island, one at each end, with the terrain in between being somewhat level. The largest hill has its apex near Stop 4 (see map above). At this stop, a short trail branches off to the west and leads to an overlook with a view towards Houghs Neck. Unfortunately, the view is largely obscured by trees and tall shrubs, but there is a bench on which you can take a rest and enjoy the scenery.
Turnoff for the overlook at Stop 4 on the Grape Island trails, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
View of Houghs Neck from the overlook near Stop 4 on the Grape Island trails, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
The second hill, about half the size, has its apex near Stop 7. There is another overlook area with a view towards Bumpkin Island. Again, trees block much of the view.
View of Bumpkin Island from Stop 7 on the Grape Island trails, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
The only confusing part of the hike is when traveling from Stop 5 to Stop 6. The map makes Stop 6 look like a simple 4-way intersection, but that’s not the case. If you continue straight you are actually heading south towards Stop 12. To continue towards Stop 7, take a left. Once you make the turn there is another left almost immediately. This is one of two access trails that lead to the northern shore, the other being farther down the trail near Stop 7. These are the only access points to the water on the north side of Grape Island; the vegetation is too thick for you to blaze your own path.
Take a left at Stop 6 on the Grape Island trails to proceed towards Stop 7, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
SHORELINE HIKE
Shore of Grape Island, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
It is possible to walk around the entire Grape Island along the shore, and the easiest way to access the shore is at the boat dock. It is also possible to get to the water from the Inland Trails at a few spots along the southern coast, but you may have to walk through tall grass an other weeds to do so; be sure to check yourself for ticks.
Southern shoreline access from the Grape Island inland trail near Stop 11, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
The northern side of the island is thick with vegetation, and as mentioned earlier, there are only two access points, both side trails that branch off of the main Inland Trail. One is at Stop 6 and the other is near Stop 7. The northern shore is a little more rocky than the southern shore, so be careful not to twist an ankle.
Rocky section of Grape Island’s north shore, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
The only spot on the southern shore where you need to watch your step is at Stop 9, the Slate Outcrop. Take a close look at the rocks when you get there. Notice that the sediment layers are vertical. Whenever you see rock formations like this, it means that the entire area was lifted up and tilted sideways. Just imagine a monster bursting out of the ground and you’ll have an idea of how the rocks managed to get this way.
Slate outcropping on the southern shore of Grape Island, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
Vertical sediment layers of the slate on the southern shore of Grape Island, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
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Last updated on January 13, 2024
