Hike Great Head Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The cliff edges along the eastern loop have no railings and the granite gets slick when wet or icy — one wrong step on a foggy morning and you're dealing with a very unforgiving drop to the ocean.
Incoming tide can make the beach crossing at the south end tricky. Check tide charts before you go; if the tide is high, stick to the inland connector trail instead of trying to rock-hop along the shoreline.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Go counterclockwise from Sand Beach to hit the exposed ocean cliffs first while your legs are fresh and the morning light rakes across the granite — the forest section on the return feels like a cool-down lap.
Between mid-June and mid-October, driving to Sand Beach requires a timed reservation through Recreation.gov. Skip the headache entirely by taking the free Island Explorer bus (Route 3/Sand Beach) and walk right to the trailhead.
The millstone near the top of the granite steps is easy to miss — look left about 30 feet off-trail once you crest the first rise. It's nearly seven feet across, a relic from the Satterlee estate, and most hikers walk right past it.
Photos
NPS
