Ober Road to Cedar Trail Loop (Nickerson State Park)

Ober Road to Cedar Trail Loop (Nickerson State Park)

Distance: 3.11 miles
Elevation: 141 feet

Time: 1 hour, 3 mintues
Hike Type: Loop
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

It's officially the week where no one knows what day it is - a few friends and I have a soft tradition of getting a house on the cape for a few days, and this years house's back yard was Nickerson State Park! I took two adventures in here on this day. The first was early in the morning with my umbrella, as it was raining on-and-off. Our back yard backed onto Ober Road of the state park, which I followed northward, past a very loud rooster, over some horse tracks and poo, and across a neat power cut.

Ober Road then crosses the Cape Cod Rail Trail, which I followed to Nickerston State Park headquarters. There are A LOT of trails that are not on the map, but most were on AllTrails, so I let my phone guide me. I didn't really have a plan for this walk, just meandering in a general loop-like fashion, so this kind of worked out for me. I took an unmapped path that had a singular blue-acord blaze? It then met up with Ober Road, which led to Deer Park Trail, both of which were paved.

I was stunned by how much lichen were in these woods. Curious about what the story is with the lichen - is it good, neutral, or bad for the trees? What exactly are they? I'm sure someday I'll find out. I only passed a few people on this morning adventure, which was lovely.

I later made my way to the Cedar Trail, which was also paved. I get why paced paths are good - accessibility and all, but I always prefer soft dirt. I did walk past a dangling slug which was FASCINATING. Couldn't tell if it was on purpose or if it was dead and just... drooling?

The Cedar Trail led to the Ober Trail, which then led to an unmapped trail that went past a very old grave site, then back to Ober Road, and finally back to the Airbnb. A lovely morning walk!

Step-By-Step

*Note: There are MANY unmapped trails in Nickerson State Park. 

- Access Ober Rd. via backyard of Airbnb house.

- Hike north-east along Ober Rd.

- Turn right onto Cape Cod Rail Trail.

- At trail kiosk, hike on unmapped trail toward Ober Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Ober Trail. 

- At next jct., turn right onto Deer Park Trail.

- At next jct., veer left onto Cedar Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Ober Trail.

- At next, unmapped junction, turn right onto trail.

- Turn right onto Ober Road, return to Airbnb.

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