Hiking trail on Spectacle Island in Boston Harbor
The most enjoyable trails within Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area are on Spectacle Island. There are great views no matter where you are, the trails are wide and smooth so you don’t have to watch your step, and you can walk side by side with friends, push a baby carriage, and even navigate some of the trails in a wheelchair. It’s not Appalachian Trail hiking, just relaxing walking.
View of Spectacle Island’s South Drumlin from the top of the North Drumlin, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
Spectacle Island is comprised of two hills, or drumlins as they are defined geologically. The small valley between them is the only semi-level section, and it isn’t very wide. When you come down one hill it isn’t long before you’ll be heading up the other. However, the trails spiral around the bases of the hills as they make their way to the top, so you basically have long, gradual climbs, not mountain-climbing endeavors. What should be of more concern is that there isn’t a shade tree along the route, so wear a hat and apply sunscreen if avoiding the sun is important to you.
Open and hilly terrain on Spectacle Island, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
There are four hiking options at Spectacle Island. The first two involve getting to the top of one of the island’s drumlins to take in the spectacular views of Boston and the harbor. The North Drumlin is the tallest point in Boston at 155 feet above sea level. The South Drumlin is around 125 feet. There are numerous paths that traverse the island, so all you have to do is get a trail map from the Spectacle Island Visitor Center and figure out the quickest way to the top. There are picnic tables and benches along most trails.
Spectacle Island map (click to enlarge)
Typical hiking trail on Spectacle Island in Boston Harbor
View of Boston Harbor from the North Drumlin on Spectacle Island
Benches and picnic tables along the Spectacle Island trails, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
A trip to the top of the North Drumlin from the Visitor Center is 1.5 miles out and back. The round trip to the top of the South Drumlin is .8 mile. There are picnic tables and covered gazebos at the top of each hill, but there are no grills in the park.
Gazebo and picnic table on the South Drumlin at Spectacle Island, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
Wayside exhibits on the Spectacle Island trails identify points of interest, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
In addition to the haphazard wandering that you can do on the island, there are two organized trails. One is called the Interpretive Trail, a 2.25-mile path of finely crushed gravel along which ten wayside exhibits that tell the history of Spectacle Island are posted. My only complaint about the trail is that while it leads to the top of the North Drumlin, it does not go to the top of the South Drumlin, instead opting to skirt around the base and return to the Visitor Center along the shoreline Perimeter ADA Trail.
The Interpretive Trail on Spectacle Island, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
In my opinion, the views from the South Drumlin are as good, if not better, than those from the North Drumlin. If you hike to the top of the South Drumlin instead of following the Interpretive Trail around the base, all you are going to miss are three wayside exhibits, and the views are more rewarding than what you will learn. If you are dead set on hiking the Interpretive Trail in its entirety, you can always retrace your steps back to the divergent point—an extra 1.25 miles, round trip—and then continue on the official route. You also have the option to head directly back to the Visitor Center from the top of the South Drumlin, which is only a .4-mile walk. I made the detour to the top and then returned to finish the Interpretive Trail.
View of Boston from the South Drumlin on Spectacle Island, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
View of Thompson Island from the South Drumlin on Spectacle Island, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
If you are coming from the North Drumlin on the Interpretive Trail, when you get to the northern base of the South Drumlin you have an option to walk directly up the hill on a mowed path instead of taking the long, winding spiral trail to the top. You do not have this option for scaling the North Drumlin.
North base of the South Drumlin on Spectacle Island, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
Mowed path to the top of the South Drumlin on Spectacle Island, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
The other organized trail is the Perimeter ADA Trail, a wheelchair accessible trail that circles the entire island by following the shoreline. It is not perfectly level, but those with a motorized wheelchair, a little help, or good upper body strength should be able to pull the small hills. The Perimeter ADA Trail is a 1.7-mile loop and takes 45 minutes to an hour to complete without resting.
Perimeter ADA Trail at Spectacle Island in Boston Harbor
Example of a hill on the Perimeter ADA Trail on Spectacle Island, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
If you take the Perimeter ADA Trail, there are two short detours you might be interested in. At the very southern end of Spectacle Island is a wide, gravel road that branches off towards the shore, a 50-yard detour. There is a display of sea glass and other items that were found on the beach.
Display of sea glass and other items found on the shore of Spectacle Island, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
At the northeast corner of the island is a path that leads to a shelter. Inside are three mosaics made from garbage such as broken pieces of pottery and glass that was found on the island. Spectacle Island was a garbage dump before being turned into a park in the 1990s.
Shelter along the Perimeter ADA Trail on Spectacle Island, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
Mosaics made of trash items found on Spectacle Island, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
Mosaic made of trash items found on Spectacle Island, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
It is not possible to walk around Spectacle Island on the actual shore due to the seawall that begins at the northwest corner of the island and continues to the southeastern end. Not only are you not supposed to walk on the boulders that are part of the wall, but it would take all day to do so—if you don’t break a leg or ankle in the process. Thus, the Perimeter ADA Trail is the only way to hike along the shoreline.
Seawall around a portion of Spectacle Island, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
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Last updated on January 19, 2024
