A quarter-mile boardwalk trail through maritime forest and salt marsh in the heart of Hatteras village
Hatteras Village Park sits right in the village, a small nature reserve built around the Sea Breeze Trail — a quarter-mile loop of elevated boardwalk that carries you out over salt marsh and through a pocket of maritime forest without a single wrong turn. It's an easy, flat walk rather than a hike, which is exactly its appeal on an island where most of the attention goes to the beach and the lighthouse.
The boardwalk crosses both high marsh, thick with needle rush, and tidal marsh dominated by smooth cordgrass, before ending at an observation deck over the water. Free self-guided booklets at the trailhead key out the plants and birds you're likely to see, and the marsh edge is a reliable spot for wading birds and other waterfowl, particularly early or late in the day.
It's a worthwhile stop to break up a drive along NC-12 between the Hatteras Island villages, or a quiet way to spend twenty minutes before catching the ferry out of Hatteras village.
33 reviews
2 months ago
It was a nice short walk! I was looking for things to do in the evening and this popped up. It's a good way to see the salt marsh. The boardwalk is well maintained and wheelchair accessible. It also looks like there are solar lights along the trail if it gets dark.
2 months ago
Beautiful walk just off the beach
3 years ago
What a beautiful boardwalk across a well-preserved marsh, wetland and brakes habitat. The best part is the booklet that is kept at the trailhead, which gives all details of the flora and fauna you're about to find here. The booklet is basically like a reading tour with markers throughout the hike. I learnt a lot from it. Thank you Hatteras.
3 years ago
This is a one mile loop nature hike with an interpretive brochure. There were not very many birds in late morning. There were many interesting plants and salt marsh and a very nice boardwalk. We did not have any problems with bugs.
5 years ago
a great place to explore all the native life of a salt marsh, all types of birds will make themselves known, the path was well maintained and easily accessible, we enjoyed it, very relaxing!!