Families are invited to take a break from holiday errands and step into the quiet beauty of the dunes on this guided hike through Castle Neck. While Crane Beach may be familiar territory, the dune trails offer a far less explored landscape—one of the most accessible dune systems in New England.

These paths open up sweeping views of Choate Island and the diverse habitats of Castle Neck, from Pitch Pine forests to naturally occurring cranberry bogs.

This four-mile hike leads participants into the heart of the Castle Neck trail network, offering a true sampling of its terrain. The hills and soft sand add a bit of challenge, but the scenery more than rewards the effort. Along the way, a CraneOutdoors guide highlights notable flora, including the abundant Woolly Hudsonia (False Heather), the unusual Earth Star mushroom, and the fragrant Bayberry, once used for candle making. The route is chosen day-of based on weather and wind, typically covering portions of the green and red loops on the Crane Estate trail map.

By the end, guests will gain a working understanding of the trail system—enough to inspire confidence for future visits and deeper exploration. Trail difficulty is Moderate due to sandy, hilly terrain.