A Delightful (Easy) Seaside Hike to The Knob Falmouth MA

This publish might comprise affiliate hyperlinks. Please see my disclosure for extra info. As an affiliate, I earn a small fee each time you make a qualifying buy by way of one among my affiliate hyperlinks (if relevant) at no further price to you.

CONTENTS: On this article, you’ll be taught all the pieces you must know to go to The Knob in Falmouth, Massachusetts.

What’s The Knob, Falmouth?

What’s recognized by locals as “The Knob” in Cape Cod is a hilly outcropping on the finish of a wooded path which extends out from the Falmouth shoreline.

If you happen to didn’t understand it was there, you in all probability wouldn’t stumble throughout it.

However it might be one among Falmouth’s best-kept secrets and techniques.

Right here’s why:

• It’s a beautiful nature stroll, but not too lengthy or strenuous
• The Knob is maintained by the Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuaries, Inc
• Sandy seashores flank each side of the path
• You’ll see extraordinary views of Quissett Harbor and Buzzards Bay alongside the path

How Tough is the Knob to Hike?

The Knob is a simple path slightly below a mile lengthy.

It’s appropriate for all capability ranges, even when you’re not a lot of a hiker however get pleasure from a coastal nature stroll. 

It’s household pleasant too.

Nevertheless, it’s value noting there are a number of areas with stairs and thick roots. That might current a problem for strollers and wheelchairs.

How Lengthy Does The Path Take?

The entire path from starting to the tip of The Knob and again takes below an hour.

You would possibly need to enable longer when you resolve to remain some time on the lookout, go swimming, or have a picnic.

Greatest Time to Go to the Knob

We visited The Knob on Columbus Day weekend throughout the pandemic.

At the moment, it was extra crowded than I’d have appreciated since everybody was heading outdoor. Half a dozen individuals lingered on the lookout platform, and others had been coming and going alongside the path.

Now, it’s an ideal tour.

The parking zone was full after we arrived, though we lucked out with a spot as somebody was simply leaving.

The excellent news is that The Knob is open 12 months spherical.

I think about it could be a bit chilly, even treacherous throughout a New England winter, and maybe extra crowded in summer time.

Meaning the most effective time of 12 months to go to the Knob can be throughout the nice climate within the Cape Cod off season: ideally spring and autumn.

Driving Instructions to Falmouth MA

Falmouth is situated in Cape Cod in an space often called the Higher Cape. It’s about 80 miles southwest of Boston.

By automobile, one of the simplest ways to get to Falmouth is to cross the Bourne Bridge and take Route 28S till you arrive in Falmouth. 

Options to Driving to Falmouth MA

Whereas driving is the most typical and handy approach to get to the Cape, you may have different choices.

As an example, you may fly into the airport in Hyannis (50 miles from Falmouth).

Or, take the bus or prepare strains that run straight into Falmouth. 

After all, you may at all times arrive by boat, too.

The Knob Falmouth – Instructions

The Falmouth panorama includes a sequence of inlets with miles of shoreline and a wide range of seashores.

Some seashores in Falmouth are slender, some are rocky. Most Falmouth MA seashores going through Buzzards Bay are heat.

You’ll discover The Knob on Quissett Harbor Street in Woods Gap, jutting out into Buzzards Bay. 

Wooden’s Gap is identical space of Falmouth the place you’d catch the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard.

As Quissett Harbor Street narrows, you’ll see picturesque dinghies moored throughout the small marina. Vibrant boats mirror within the mild waves, whereas others with polished wooden trim take repose.

You’ll need to park right here, reverse the bay, wherever you possibly can.

Parking in Woods Gap usually might be tough. Parking at The Knob Woods Gap is trickier.

With below a dozen parking spots, you would possibly need to plan your go to to The Knob early within the day, if attainable.

Even higher, go on a weekday or throughout the off season.

How A lot Does It Price to Go to The Knob?

The stroll to the knob within the woods is free!

There isn’t any charge to entry the trail. Throughout the pandemic, it was guarded by somebody who reminds you to kindly put on your masks for areas the place you possibly can’t safely social distance.

I discovered that comforting.

You’ll discover the trail is on to the left of the doorway to the Quisset Yacht Club. 

Exploring The Path: The Knob

In the beginning of the path, the trail hugs the marina. Then, it splits off in two instructions, in the end making a loop.

You’ll need to keep to the correct if you wish to take the principle path.

To the left is the lesser-traveled path, which you’ll tackle the return.  

You’ll ascend a number of stairs lower into the earth as you comply with alongside the wooded path.

Alongside the best way, search for the standard Cape Cod crops and tree varieties which flank the trail, together with:

• Scrub Pine
• Rugosa Fose
• Wild Asters
• Poison Ivy 

You’ll additionally need to hold your eyes and ears open for birds and different wildlife alongside the best way.

It’s a nice, meandering stroll with loads of area at most occasions to step apart for on-coming hikers. If you happen to’re undecided what poison ivy seems to be like, you’ll need to keep firmly on the trail.

For essentially the most half, the trail is shaded and funky. 

In actual fact, it’s fairly picturesque.

Each so many hundred yards, the comb clears and also you’ll glimpse the deep blue Atlantic Ocean.

You’ll as additionally see the precise “knob” within the distance.

The Knob, and the trail towards it past the mainland, is shored up by a berm of huge rocks.

After we visited, the sound of the ocean was a delicate throb. I think about throughout a Nor’easter, the spray would possibly come so far as the trail!

You’ll discover a number of paths that descend to an extended strip of seaside under, the place we heard youngsters squealing with delight on the incoming waves.

Additional alongside, a pair sat in camp chairs perched the financial institution overlooking the bay. Maybe they might picnic there till sundown. 

As you proceed alongside the well-worn route towards the knob, the trail narrows. You’ll then cross the passageway that connects the mainland to the Knob.

It truly is a beautiful vista on strategy, maybe extra so than the arrival itself.

Subsequent, you’ll discover a set of stairs that lightly meander up the small hill.

Lastly, on the prime, you’ll end up in a small clearing with stunning panoramic ocean views. 

The viewing platform is paved, and also you’ll discover a number of benches the place you would possibly sit awhile and take within the views.

To the correct, you’ll see the trail you simply accomplished with a view to Buzzards Bay.

To the left, you’ll view the street alongside Quissett Harbor and the Marina.

And, there look like miles and miles of ocean straight forward in Buzzards Bay.

Relying in your timing, this could be a pleasant spot to get pleasure from a picnic lunch or late morning snack.

The Return Path

When you’ve absolutely appreciated the panoramic scene, you’re prepared for the return journey.

You may return precisely the identical method you arrived.

Or, for a change of surroundings, you possibly can take the less-traveled path, as we did. 

Meaning you need to bear proper on the mainland.

Notice that the primary path to the correct will take you on a brief stroll all the way down to the water. Except you need to take a swim and luxuriate in some seaside time, proceed slightly additional alongside to the following path on the correct.

This may lead you again to the start of the path. 

This route is way much less traveled. We didn’t cross paths with anybody on this leg of the path. Within the time of social distancing, that was a aid. 

You’ll discover this path to be extra wooded and shady, too.

Take pleasure in a number of split-rail fences with good overlooks. You’ll additionally see indicators that ask you to stay on the path due to erosion considerations.

I may see the impulse to descend to the seashores under, however you possibly can simply as simply attain the sand from the marina.

Whereas this was extra of a winding and secluded path, it was not as if you’d really feel susceptible to getting misplaced. Simply keep to the correct each time the trail splits.

The paths to the left will merely lead you again to the principle path, anyway.

Eventually, you’ll end up again the place you started the hike.

You’ll be feeling refreshed by the stroll in nature, the attractive water scenes, and the ocean air.

7 Suggestions for Visiting The Knob – Falmouth

I totally loved our outing to The Knob.

It was one a cautious journey after many months of social isolation throughout the pandemic.

That stated, right here are some things I’d have achieved in a different way.

1. Keep away from Peak Instances

Whereas I believe the low season (non-summer) is a good time to go to The Knob, I’d have visited on a weekday, even perhaps an odd hour of the day.

Not solely does that make it extra probably that you can find a parking area, however there’ll probably be fewer individuals on the path.

2. Select the Street Much less Traveled

As an alternative of taking the principle path, I’d have taken the less-traveled leg of the trail to and from The Knob.

This helps cut back contact with others, though everybody was carrying masks and stepped apart (or we stepped apart).

Plus, you’ll have the sensation of being extra immersed in nature.

3. Deliver Water (and optionally, a picnic)

Any time you’re climbing, you’ll need to ensure you keep hydrated.

If you happen to plan on staying some time, you would possibly even pack some tasty snacks and maybe a blanket or some gentle camp chairs.

We had water for the stroll, however may have positively spent extra time right here, had we been higher ready.

4. Benefit from the Surroundings

If you happen to’re a photographer, make sure you convey your digicam as a result of that is such a novel setting.

It could even be a superb place for some pleinair portray, if you could find an excellent area to arrange an easel.

Or, simply take the time to totally respect this stunning surroundings in Cape Cod.

6. Look ahead to Mountain climbing Hazards

Whereas we didn’t encounter any, you’ll need to be looking out for poison ivy, mosquitos, and ticks. In any case, these are simply widespread hazards of climbing in New England.

7. Put on Snug Sneakers

Additionally, it goes with out saying that you may put on climbing footwear or sneakers for a hike.

However actually, this hike is really easy, any kind of snug footwear would do.

Ultimate Ideas on The Knob Falmouth

The Knob is value visiting when you’re in Falmouth and in search of a brief day hike with beautiful views.

It makes for an awesome addition to any 1-day itinerary for Falmouth.

You may additionally embody actions in Falmouth like grabbing a picnic lunch at Pie within the Sky, purchasing on Major Road, and consuming out in Falmouth. (We advocate Anejo for dinner, however be ready to attend for a seat.) 

You’ll need to embody The Knob in your “finest issues to do in Falmouth” bucket listing.

And, when you plan to remain in a single day in Falmouth, make sure you learn our review of The Inn on the Sound, a boutique inn in Falmouth that overlooks Nantucket Sound. It’s among the many finest locations to remain in Falmouth.

Regularly Requested Questions on The Knob Falmouth

The place is The Knob on the Cape?

You’ll discover “The Knob” and the Salt Pond Space Fowl Sanctuaries in Falmouth, MA, the place Quisset Harbor meets Buzzards Bay. This slim Cape Cod peninsula with seashores and pine bushes, together with the rocky outcropping on the finish, helps to guard Quisset Harbor.

Are you able to swim at The Knob in Falmouth?

Sure! You may definitely swim at The Knob in Falmouth. You can even sit by the shore and discover the coast for shells and different fascinating finds. The one issues is, don’t stroll down from the trail to the seaside. You’ll be including to the erosion issues. As an alternative, entry the seashores straight from the marina.

Are canine allowed at The Knob in Falmouth?

Canine are welcome at The Knob in Falmouth. Nevertheless, you will need to hold them on a leash always and make sure you choose up after them.

Subsequent Steps in Planning Your Journey to The Knob

In case you are planning a visit to The Knob, you’ll additionally need to take a look at these different articles about vacationing in Cape Cod.

Listed below are some nice ideas for packing and what to convey with you once you go to Cape Cod.

And eventually, you’ll discover helpful details about planning your summer time trip to Cape Cod, under.

Don’t overlook to save lots of this text on Pinterest for future reference!

Do you see your self visiting The Knob in Falmouth once you go to subsequent? Have you ever been there (or some place prefer it) earlier than? Tell us about it within the feedback under!