One of my absolute favorite things to do on Nantucket is the scenic Bluff Walk trail in ‘Sconset, and I recommend this in almost all my Nantucket travel guides. Providing sweeping views of the coastline, and glimpses at oceanfront properties, it really gives you a taste of Nantucket’s natural beauty, provides amazing photo opportunities, and the ability to explore some other wonderful attractions nearby.
Having been to Nantucket so many times over the span of 10+ years, including day trips and longer getaways, I’ve made a point to come out to ‘Sconset to do the Bluff Walk trail many times, and it continues to be a highlight when visiting.
Ready to see the Bluff Walk for yourself? Let’s get started!
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How To Get To The ‘Sconset Bluff Walk
Located in a town called Siasconset on the eastern coast of the island, the town is actually most often referred to as ‘Sconset, for short – and that’s what you’ll hear the locals calling it, too. ‘Sconset is about 8 miles from downtown Nantucket, and you’ll definitely need to plan how to get out to this part of the island, as walking here would take quite a while.
The easiest way to get to ‘Sconset is by car, Uber, or moped. I never advise that you bring your car on the ferry to the island because it’s actually pretty impractical, and I always recommend you strategically plan to rent a car or moped for a set amount of time once you arrive (if you’d like). This option is the quickest way out to ‘Sconset, and allows you to explore at your own pace.
Alternatively, you can also grab an Uber, which is available all over the island. I’ve used Uber several times to get out to ‘Sconset, and it’s always been reliable, even in spring and fall. You may just need to wait a bit longer (like up to 10 mins or so), and you’ll want to anticipate it being a more expensive option for round-trip fare.
The cheapest options to get to ‘Sconset are by bike or the Wave public bus system. I’ve done both of these as well, and it will all come down to personal preference. You can easily bring your bike to the island if you plan to use it a lot, or you can rent a bike for a set amount of time once you arrive.
The Wave is also very easy to use, and pretty inexpensive. If you’re traveling in-season, you’ll want to take the ‘Sconset via Milestone Road line from downtown. This is the most direct and fastest route, but it only runs in-season from April 1 through September 30. If you visit outside of these times, I’d recommend the Sconset via Old South Road route, which is the next fastest, and runs year-round.
You’ll want to head to 10 Washington Street downtown to grab both of these lines, and depending on the route, it will take about 25-35 minutes.
If you want to bike out to ‘Sconset, this usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on your pace. The first 10 minutes of the ride are in the downtown area, but once you reach the ‘Sconset bike path, it’s a pretty flat and easy ride from there! Since it’s a designated bike path for bikers and pedestrians, it’s also relaxing, and you’re not sharing the road with motorists (although, you are biking parallel to the road).
No matter which way you choose to get to ‘Sconset, all roads lead to the ‘Sconset Rotary! When you arrive in town, this is the first thing you’ll see. Right by the rotary is the ‘Sconset Market, Claudette’s Sandwich Shop, and the ‘Sconset bookstore. The start of the Bluff Walk is just a few steps from this area, which I’ll get more into below 😉
Parking For The Sconset Bluff Walk
If you choose to drive out to ‘Sconset, it’s good to be aware that parking is tricky, even moreso if visiting in-season (Memorial Day through September), as there is no dedicated parking lot for the Bluff Walk.
In full disclosure, I never drive into ‘Sconset in the summer because parking is too much of a hassle. I’ll usually take the Wave or an Uber in the summer.
Parking off-season is much easier, and even after Labor Day, it tends to quiet down a lot, especially on weekdays. This is the time of the year I’ll rent a car or moped to drive around the island to explore. The easiest parking option for the Bluff Walk is the lot for Siasconset Beach, which will come right up in Google Maps. Beyond that, there’s limited street parking in and around town, near the ‘Sconset Market, the main rotary as you come into town, and along select side streets.
Where To Find The Start Of The Bluff Walk
Finding the start of the Bluff Walk can be tricky because it’s a bit inconspicuous. However, I’m here to help! My favorite way to start the Bluff Walk is just a few steps from the ‘Sconset Market, at the corner of Front Street and Broadway. If you’d like to use Google Maps to get you there, you can use these GPS coordinates: 41.26216357597976, -69.96384496827213. This allows you to walk down a scenic part of the path that some people miss if they head to the official starting point.
You’ll basically be walking along a side street with shingled houses on either side, but it’s a really cool section of the trail, and a great photo spot.
From there, you’ll run into the official starting point of the trail, and you’ll see a fork in the road, so to speak (see above photos). You’ll want to stay left, even though it looks as though you’re crossing over onto private property, but you’ll see a sign that says “‘Sconset Foot Path,” so you’ll know you’re on the right course. If you go right at the fork, you’ll miss the entrance to the trail.
Continuing On The Bluff Walk
From there, the rest of the walk quite literally feels like you’re trespassing through the back yards of the oceanfront houses. But don’t worry, you’re not. This is a completely public path, and the homeowners expect people to be walking by.
During the walk, you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the coastline, get a closer look at the multi-million dollar oceanfront houses, and snap some awesome photos along the way. Oh, and of course, get your steps in 😉
Tips & FAQs
How Long Is The Bluff Walk?
The entire trail is about 1 mile each way, and it’s considered to be an out-and-back trail. I’ll explain your options on getting back to town down below.
How Much Time Should I Plan Here?
I usually recommend about an hour to really enjoy the walk without feeling too rushed. However, this will depend on your pace, as some people may only need about 45 minutes, and some a bit more than an hour.
How Do I Get Back To Town After Reaching The End Of The Trail?
The end of the trail is very obvious, as there will be a sign, and a roped-off fence area letting you know. You can either go back down the trail the way you came, or you can walk away from the coastline toward Baxter Road, and take this road back into town.
My favorite option, however, is to extend the trail and walk out to Sankaty Head Lighthouse, if you have the time. This will add a mile round trip, as the lighthouse is about a half-mile from the end of the Bluff Walk trail, but this lighthouse is very much worth seeing while in town. I’ll share more about the lighthouse down below.
Are Dogs Allowed On The Trail?
Yes, leashed, well-behaved dogs are allowed on the trail. Just be sure to pick-up after them!
Is The Bluff Walk Worth It?
I definitely think so! It takes a little bit of effort to get out there, of course, but honestly, all of ‘Sconset is incredibly charming. But the Bluff Walk really does offer some wonderful views of the coastline, and it feels like such a unique thing to experience because of its proximity to the oceanfront properties. Personally, I think it’s one of the best things to do on the island.
More Tips:
→ The trail is actually pretty narrow, and that surprised me on my first visit here. It’s sometimes difficult to walk side-by-side with someone for most of it, so keep that in mind.
→ While the trail is mostly flat, there are some small sections that require a minor uphill walk. However, all skill levels should easily be able to walk the trail. The only exception would be those with wheelchairs or walkers, as the terrain is definitely uneven.
→ Since the trail is not paved and uneven, sturdy footwear is a good idea. I usually wear sneakers.
→ It’s incredibly important to be respectful of the private property that borders the trail. Please do not trespass onto private property, which includes the staircases and decks leading down to the beach. And it’s also important to maintain a respectful volume while talking on the trail so as not to disturb the people who live in the nearby houses. And of course, it goes without saying to leave no trace 😊
More Things To Do Around ‘Sconset
Even though the Bluff Walk is definitely a highlight of ‘Sconset, there are some other wonderful things to do out this way to make the excursion even more worth it. Here are some more things that I suggest you check out during your visit.
Sankaty Head Lighthouse
Earlier in the post, I mentioned that you can extend your Bluff Walk out to Sankaty Light, and I really recommend that option. This lighthouse is so beautiful, and it’s unique red and white stripes make for awesome photos.
If you’re not up for the extra walk out to the lighthouse, you could always drive back out here (if you have a car or moped) after the trail, as it has its own parking area.
While the inside tower of the lighthouse is usually only open about twice a year for tours, it’s still worth visiting just to see the outside of it, and explore the grounds.
Find The Famous Rose House On Mitchell Street
The iconic house is usually covered in roses in the summer, and it’s such a fun place to see in person. It can be found on the corner of Mitchell and Center, and you can’t miss it because Mitchell Street is tiny. The house usually begins to bloom mid to late June, and continues all summer.
Enjoy More Rose-Covered Cottages, Too
‘Sconset is known for being one of the best places on the island to enjoy rose-covered cottages, which usually begin to bloom in mid to late June. Depending on the variety and weather, they’ll either continue to bloom all summer long, or they’ll have a second flush of blooms later in the summer season. But usually during the entire summer season, you can see at least a few houses covered in roses.
Snap Photos On The Footbridge
This will come right up in Google Maps, but the Footbridge is such a scenic spot, and makes for amazing photos. It’s a very short walk from ‘Sconset Market, and will come up in Google Maps.
Grab Yummy Sandwiches From Claudette’s
This quaint little spot is known for having delicious sandwiches, making it the perfect place to grab a casual lunch while out in ‘Sconset. They have a small outdoor patio to sit down while you eat, too. Keep in mind that they’re only open seasonally, though.
Visit ‘Sconset Beach
Of course, ‘Sconset Beach is one of the best things to do in town, and this beach is truly stunning. Beaches on Nantucket are free for all to visit (you just have to find parking, and the lot for this beach is small). But the entrance to the beach can be found by going underneath the Footbridge, and walking toward the water. It’s super easy to find 😉
Better yet, grab some sandwiches from Claudette’s, and take them to the beach for a picnic!
Grab Lunch At The Summer House Beachside Bistro
The Summer House is a hotel made up of cottage rentals in ‘Sconset, and their Beachside Bistro is open for lunch to the public, in-season. This has a lower rating on Google because people tend to find it expensive. And honestly, it definitely is! However, the vibes here are awesome, and if you’re looking for a fun outdoor lunch experience, this is a nice spot. They have great cocktails, water views, an outdoor patio, and classics on their menu like lobster rolls.
More posts you may enjoy:
- Ultimate Nantucket Day Trip Guide
- Nantucket vs. Martha’s Vineyard For A Day Trip
- How To Visit All 3 Nantucket Lighthouses
- Cape Cod vs. Nantucket: Which Is Best For You?
- Ultimate Guide To The Nantucket Daffodil Festival
That’s A Wrap On Exploring The ‘Sconset Bluff Walk On Nantucket!
And there you have it! Hopefully you now feel prepared to explore the beautiful Bluff Walk like a pro during your visit to Nantucket. Whether you’re just venturing out to ‘Sconset to walk the trail, or you’re excited to visit some of the other spots nearby, just know it’s very much worth the effort (in my humble opinion 😉). Happy planning!
