TIME: 45-minute outer loop
DRIVING DISTANCE FROM BOSTON COMMON: 4.5 miles, although you can’t drive
ELEVATION: 157' at trailhead, no significant gain
SEASON: Late June–Labor Day
ACCESS: Open 9 a.m.–sunset. Park access is free, but getting there requires a ferry trip. Check bostonharborislands.org/ferry-schedule for current schedule and ticket prices.
MAPS: Available at visitor center
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: Yes
FACILITIES: Restrooms, drinking fountain, snack bar
CONTACT: Boston Harbor Islands, bostonharbor islands.org/spectacle-island, 617-223-8666
LOCATION: Boston Harbor, Boston, MA
You can easily get lost in the dramatic views from Spectacle Island.
ONCE A LANDFILL for the city of Boston, the beautiful, windswept Spectacle Island is now a true gem. The trail circumnavigating it offers dramatic views of Boston Harbor and the Boston skyline.
DESCRIPTION
The Boston Harbor Islands are a spectacular resource, almost hiding in plain sight. Most of the islands are clearly visible from Boston, and the ferries and the islands themselves are often bustling with people eager to escape the city heat for ocean breezes, but it seems surprising the islands aren’t even more popular. Spectacle Island is one of several open to the public free of charge (save for the ferry ticket). The others are Peddocks, Lovells, Grape, Bumpkin, and Georges, which is home to the historic Fort Warren. You can also camp in a yurt on Peddocks Island or go tent camping with a permit on Grape, Bumpkin, and Lovells.
Getting to Spectacle Island couldn’t be easier, but you can’t drive or hike there. Catch a ferry at Marriott Long Wharf. The ferry ticket office and dock are on the left side of the hotel when looking out to the harbor. Be sure to check the schedule, as there is a summer schedule and a spring/fall schedule. There are far fewer ferries during the spring and fall, so plan accordingly. (If you do try to drive, please be sure to roll up your windows!)
After the 25-minute or so ferry ride, you’ll pull up to the massive dock on the west side of the island. After you step off the boat and walk down the dock, look for the interpretive trail that circumnavigates the island. The trail heads north directly from the ferry dock and visitor center. As you set off, you’ll pass an outdoor shower for those hardy souls who decided to take a dip in Boston Harbor.
The trail leading away from the beach is a wide, carriage road–like path. The surface is firmly packed dirt, sand, and gravel. While there are two small drumlins (they are in fact called North Drumlin and South Drumlin) toward the center of the island, the trail around the outer perimeter is relatively flat. It is also extremely well defined and virtually impossible to miss or get off-trail. The trail initially follows a beach fence along some dense beach growth. There’s a gentle rise here as the trail nears the north end of the island and follows around North Drumlin. As you come around the northeast corner of the island, there is a fascinating sculpture commemorating the island signal lights.
North and South Drumlin provide panoramic views of Boston Harbor and the skyline. Both are well worth a visit while hiking around Spectacle Island. There are trails leading up to the center of the island and the tops of the drumlins, but stay on the outer interpretive trail for now. After curving around the north end of the island and passing the signal lights sculpture, you’ll have a straight shot down the eastern, seaward side of the island.
As you come around the southern end of the island, you can see the southern flank of Long Island to the east, Moon Island to the south, and Thompson Island to the west. The walk around the island has a similar feel—and certainly similar scenery—to World’s End (which is also part of Boston Harbor Island National Park—see Hike 9). As you round the southwestern tip of the island, you’re faced with a dramatic view of the Boston skyline. Then it’s a short, straight shot back to the visitor center. The loop around the island is about 45 minutes, not accounting for any time spent on a bench or two admiring the view and the action in Boston Harbor.
From here, if you have the time before the next ferry, it’s well worth the short hike up to the top of South Drumlin. North Drumlin is also fantastic, but you’re more likely to find a moment of solitude on South Drumlin. The trail extends from the visitor center then takes a hairpin turn south (right). After passing the yurt that is home to some of the park rangers during the busy summer season, the trail climbs gently along the side of the drumlin and loops around. Near the top of the drumlin are a bench, a picnic table, and a gazebo with another table—all spectacular spots to enjoy the view. It’s a short, 15-minute jaunt to the gazebo from the visitor center.
Glimpses of the Boston skyline mix with views of the rustic beach grasses.
Boston Harbor Islands National & State Park is a popular spot, so you will almost certainly have company on the trails—especially on warm, clear summer days. There are several benches perched along the path to stop and watch the boat traffic moving through Boston Harbor and the air traffic coming in and out of Logan. The sounds of island life, the waves washing against the rocky shore, and the sound of birds and insects mix with the sounds of the marine and air traffic.
Stay on the defined trails to preserve the fragile, windswept island vegetation. It’s no challenge staying on the trail, as it is quite well defined and maintained. The only problem as you walk along may be tripping and losing your footing as you get distracted by the spectacular views. It’s curious to note Spectacle Island was once a landfill for the city of Boston. After dumping stopped, the continued natural forces of the tides filled in the spaces between the northern and southern parts of the island and actually expanded the island’s footprint. Today, Spectacle Island is truly a spectacle among the archipelago of the Boston Harbor Islands.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
When you return to land, if you’re hungry or thirsty, you’re in the right place. It’s downtown Boston, so your options are virtually limitless. There’s a Legal Sea Foods (617-742-5300, legalseafoods.com) right near the Marriott. Walk a bit farther down Atlantic Avenue to Trade (617-451-1234, trade-boston.com), which offers all sorts of food and drink. Head in closer to town and you can find just about any variety of cuisine that suits your mood. Exploring a bit and finding something unexpected is at least half the fun.
GPS TRAILHEAD COORDINATES N42° 19.250' W71° 07.270'
DIRECTIONS Take the ferry from the ferry dock located next to the Marriott Long Wharf. The ferry dock is on the north side of the hotel, to the left as you look out to the harbor.
Spectacle Island is not far from Boston, but you’ll feel as if you’re a million miles away.
