Sankaty Bluff

Sand, gravel and boulders laid down by the last glacier during the Wisconsinan Glacial Stage was not the first layer of foundation for Nantucket; an ocean bottom created during the Sangamonian Interglacial Stage and another pavement of glacial material during the Illinoian Glacial Stage are also underneath us. The only place to see all three distinct layers up close in an exposed cross-section view is Sankaty Bluff. On this hike, we’ll walk south down the beach from the Hoicks Hollow Road public way to where these layers are visible, learn about how they were formed and how they are part of Nantucket’s geological past.

Logging your steps and counting the miles.
If you’re counting your steps with a fitness/activity tracker, this hike offers around 3,900 steps and is 1.6 miles in length.

Hiking fees.
This hike costs $65 for adults and $30 for children under 13. Nantucket Walkabout offers a 20-percent military discount to active and retired military personnel, and their spouses. When booking your hike, please enter the promo code, MILITARYDISCOUNT when prompted to do so. If you’re booking a hike with non-military hikers, please book for yourself or, yourself and your spouse in a separate booking from your friends and family. Also, please present your military ID card to our guide at the time of pick up. Check the Hike Calendar to see when we are hiking the Sankaty Bluff trail and to book it. To arrange for a private hike on this route, call or email us for our rates and to discuss your hiking needs.

Continuing your island discovery!
We encourage you to explore Nantucket on your own! There are more than 15,000 acres open for exploration on land owned by the Nantucket Conservation Foundation, the Nantucket Islands Land Bank, the Linda Loring Nature Foundation, the Massachusetts Audubon Society, The Trustees of Reservations and The ’Sconset Trust. After your hike with Nantucket Walkabout, ask your guide for a package of maps from most of these conservation organizations.