Hiking Martha’s Vineyard: Discover the Island’s Best-Kept Natural Secrets

Most people associate Martha’s Vineyard with its stunning beaches—after all, it’s an island. However, what many visitors may not realize is that much of the island is rural and wooded, with thousands of acres of preserved land perfect for hiking and exploring. Martha’s Vineyard is a paradise for nature enthusiasts, offering over 200 miles of trails and more than 100 preserved properties open to the public. From dramatic coastal cliffs to serene woodlands, the island’s natural beauty is as diverse as it is breathtaking.

Here are our top three hiking trails on the island and where to find them. Keep in mind that many are located in remote areas with limited cell reception, and navigation systems often confuse coordinates on Martha’s Vineyard. Make sure to follow trail maps and markers. If you have an iPhone, be sure to download the TrailsMV app, available in the Apple App Store courtesy of the island’s Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation. This free app for hikers exploring Martha’s Vineyard doesn’t require cell service or Wi-Fi, making it an invaluable tool for your adventure.

Photo of Menemsha Hills by The Trustees

Menemsha Hills Reservation: Menemsha Hills is a beautiful and diverse nature reserve located off North Road in Chilmark. This 211-acre preserve, owned and managed by The Trustees, is a popular hike that offers a variety of natural habitats, including wetlands, marshes, wooded groves, and a rocky shoreline, with sweeping views of Vineyard Sound. The three miles of trails are perfect for the moderate hiker, with some extra energy needed to summit Prospect Hill, the second-highest point on the Vineyard at 308 feet. The panoramic view from the top is well worth the effort, offering a breathtaking vantage point of the surrounding landscape. Menemsha Hills is open year-round, daily from sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 1½ hours to fully appreciate the trail.

Long Point Wildlife Refuge: Long Point is an expansive property on the south side of the island, accessible off Edgartown-West Tisbury Road. Long Point is not only a great spot to hike but is also a favorite destination for beachgoers, swimmers, and kayakers. Its sprawling coastline and sheltered salt and freshwater ponds make it a perfect spot to splash in the waves or enjoy a leisurely paddle. You can stay by the water and relax or follow a two-mile trail that leads through oak forests and savanna bordered by Middle Point, Long Cove, and Tisbury Great Ponds. Long Point offers a rare grassland habitat across its more than 600 acres, making it one of the largest publicly accessible properties on Martha’s Vineyard. Managed by The Trustees, this property is beloved for its diversity and size—even on a busy day, you’ll feel like you have the place to yourself. Birders and other nature-watchers appreciate this spot for the wide variety of plants and wildlife that call it home. Long Point is open year-round, but during the summer months, the last admission is at 5:30 pm, and the gate closes at 7 pm. Public restrooms, picnic tables, bike racks, and a small visitor center are available, as well as kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals from 10 am to 3 pm.

Cedar Tree Neck Sanctuary: Cedar Tree Neck is another island gem, located on the north shore in West Tisbury. This sprawling 400-acre preserve, managed by the Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation, is one of their oldest and largest properties. It just celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. The property is accessible via Indian Hill Road and Obed Daggett Road—be forewarned that the last mile of the drive is extra bumpy and unpaved, but keep going—you’re in the right place. Once there, you’ll find a true sanctuary, showcasing the island’s natural beauty at its finest. Take your pick of a series of trails where you’ll traverse alongside a bubbling brook, under canopies of cedar trees, large ferns, beech trees, and oaks, in between large glacial boulders, and out toward the beautiful Vineyard Sound. While swimming is not permitted here, the breathtaking views more than make up for it. Cedar Tree Neck is open daily from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.

For those eager to discover even more of the island’s trails, consider grabbing a copy of the book “The Walking Trails of Martha’s Vineyard,” provided by the Vineyard Conservation Society. It’s available for purchase at many island retailers, including Bunch of Grapes Bookstore, Edgartown Books, Alley's General Store, and Cronig's Markets. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for a leisurely stroll, Martha’s Vineyard offers a trail for every adventurer. Happy hiking!