Fort Hill Trail map (click to enlarge)

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See the Hiking Trails web page for an interactive location map.

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Length: 1-mile loop
Time: 45 minutes
Difficulty: Not easy, but less than moderate—hilly terrain

When a small group of Pilgrims first came over from across the bay at Plymouth to settle Cape Cod in 1644, Fort Hill was where they built a meeting house. Being the highest point in their settlement, it was a natural defense, though it is not known if an actual fort was ever built here. Today visitors to Cape Cod National Seashore are invited to take a short hike around the area on the Fort Hill Trail. An adjacent low-lying swamp can be explored on the Red Maple Swamp Trail. Together the two form a Figure-8, with the center of the two loops being common to both. If you are looking for a longer hike, the trails can be combined into one, large oval. This review only covers the Fort Hill Trail.

The Fort Hill area has its own parking lot located just past the Captain Edward Penniman House on Fort Hill Road. The parking lot holds fifteen vehicles. If it fills up there is an overflow parking lot at the very end of the road that holds another dozen vehicles (.2 mile farther down). There is no fee to park at either of these lots.

The official start of both the Fort Hill and Red Maple Swamp trails is at the far left corner of the first parking lot. Be sure to pick up a trail guide from the brochure box next to the identification sign. The guide has a map of the two trails and discusses the history of the area.

Start of the Fort Hill Trail at the first parking lot on Fort Hill Road in Cape Cod National Seashore

The Fort Hill Trail is completely out in the open, so apply sunscreen and wear a hat if avoiding the sun is important to you. Ticks are also common in the tall grass and other vegetation, so I suggest wearing long pants. When I hiked the trail in late July there were also plenty of biting flies, and I’ll go so far as to say that I had more problems with flies on the Fort Hill Trail than on any other trail or destination within Cape Cod National Seashore. I was covered in DEET and it had no effect on them. You might even consider a mosquito net for your head.

Typical terrain of the Fort Hill Trail at Cape Cod National Seashore

The first point of interest on the hike is the turnoff for the Red Maple Swamp Trail, which is only a tenth of a mile from the start. If you plan to combine the two trails, you’ll want to turn here, otherwise stay straight to hike the Fort Hill Trail.

Intersection of the Fort Hill and Red Maple Swamp trails at Cape Cod National Seashore

The center section of the two trails—or the west side of the Fort Hill Trail, depending on how you look at it—skirts the forest on its left as it circles around a field of tall grass on the right. It was in this area that I first encountered the biting flies, though this is far from the worst section of the trail. Just wait until you get to the Penniman House!

West side of the Fort Hill Trail at Cape Cod National Seashore

The trail forks a tenth of a mile past the Red Maple Swamp Trail, and this intersection is not on the trail guide map. The fork to the left is the official trail, while the fork to the right is simply a shortcut that bypasses Indian Rock, one of the most interesting destinations on the hike. For the life of me I can’t figure out why anyone would take the shortcut, so stay to the left.

Fork on Cape Cod National Seashore’s Fort Hill Trail that is not on the Trail Guide map

A hundred-and-fifty yards past the intersection is Indian Rock. Here you will find a covered pavilion with a picnic table, a few wayside exhibits about early French explorers, and the aforementioned Indian Rock. A seasonal restroom with modern plumbing is located a tenth of a mile down a paved path to the left. This is also where the Fort Hill and Red Maple Swamp trails merge at the north end of Fort Hill.

Covered pavilion at Indian Rock at Fort Hill in Cape Cod National Seashore

Indian Rock was used as a grinding stone by the Nauset Indians. On it they would sharpen rocks and bones to make spear tips and axes. The rock was originally in another location nearby; the National Park Service moved it here in 1965 when Cape Cod National Seashore first opened.

Indian Rock at Fort Hill in Cape Cod National Seashore

Gouges on Indian Rock from sharpening rocks and bones, Cape Cod National Seashore

You can also get a good view of Nauset Marsh from here. There are some wayside exhibits on the marsh ecosystem and the animals you might spot.

View of Nauset Marsh from Indian Rock at Fort Hill in Cape Cod National Seashore

To continue east on the Fort Hill Trail, make your way back to the covered pavilion and take the dirt path that runs opposite from the paved path to the restroom. This quickly dead ends into the shortcut trail, and when it does, take a left. You won’t go another hundred feet before being forced to turn right. None of this is on the trail map.

Cape Cod National Seashore’s Fort Hill Trail heads east from Indian Rock

For the next quarter mile the trail runs along a bluff above Nauset Marsh, though trees block the view for the first half of the stretch.

Trees often stand between the Fort Hill Trail and Nauset Marsh (on left), Cape Cod National Seashore

At the halfway point the trees clear and you will have an unfettered view of the marsh.

Glimpse of Nauset Marsh from the Fort Hill Trail at Cape Cod National Seashore

The next navigational point of interest is a fork in the trail at a large boulder. Take a right to start back towards the parking areas. If you continue around to the left you’ll find yourself heading towards the marsh on a narrowing trail that eventually gets so overgrown that to continue farther you’d have to bushwhack your way through.

Boulder at the southeast corner of the Fort Hill Trail in Cape Cod National Seashore

It is a tenth of a mile from the rock to the second parking lot (the one at the end of Fort Hill Road) where you will find a clearing that provides a nice view of the marsh, waterways, and a swanky neighborhood. The sign at the start of the trail mentions a Fort Hill Overlook as a destination of interest, so I am guessing that this is the overlook. If all you want is a photo, there is no need to even hike the trail—just walk or drive to the second parking lot.

View from the second parking lot at Fort Hill, Cape Cod National Seashore

View from the second parking lot at Fort Hill, Cape Cod National Seashore

The official Fort Hill Trail continues on the opposite side of the parking lot and eventually snakes its way down to the Captain Edward Penniman House, cutting through both a field and the forest to do so. The flies pick up again as soon as you get near the house—this was the worst spot on the trail. You won’t be missing much by simply walking back to the first parking lot via the road. I stuck to the trail, but actually ran most of the way to escape the flies. It was like I stirred up a hornet’s nest.

Section of the Fort Hill Trail that leads to the Captain Edward Penniman House at Cape Cod National Seashore

Fort Hill Trail near the Captain Edward Penniman House at Cape Cod National Seashore

Once at the Captain Edward Penniman House there really isn’t any specific trail, so just make your way back to the road and the parking area. Captain Edward Penniman built this French Second Empire-style house in 1868.

Captain Edward Penniman House at Cape Cod National Seashore

I prefer trails that are out in the open to those that run through the forest, so aside from the flies, I really enjoyed the Fort Hill Trail. The open field, the blowing wind, and the marsh gave me a “Cape Cod” feeling. Depending on when you visit, the field may be abloom with flowers. If you want a longer walk and don’t mind dealing with mosquitoes, add the Red Maple Swamp Trail to your itinerary. Personally, I’d stick with the Fort Hill Trail only.

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