Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge - Coskata Pond & Woods

Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge Hike Showcases Nantucket’s Diverse Coastal Ecosystems

A guided trek through Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge offers an immersive journey across one of Nantucket’s most ecologically rich and varied landscapes. The three-mile route, primarily over sandy terrain, connects a remarkable sequence of coastal habitats shaped by wind, water, and tidal movement.

The trail begins near rolling dunes and gradually passes key natural features such as Haulover Pond and the eastern edge of Coskata Pond. Along the way, hikers encounter shifting environments that highlight the island’s geological and ecological transitions between freshwater, saltwater, and upland systems.

Midway through the route, the walk enters The Glades salt marsh, a vibrant wetland ecosystem that supports active osprey nests and a wide variety of coastal birdlife. The path then continues into a shaded maritime oak forest, offering a cooler, sheltered contrast to the exposed shoreline terrain.

The hike concludes at the Head of the Harbor, where tidal waters meet clay, sand, and gravel banks lined with native vegetation. This final section is a productive feeding ground for shorebirds such as oystercatchers, willets, gulls, terns, and egrets, providing a vivid and dynamic finish to an exploration of Nantucket’s protected coastal wilderness.