In the Middle Road, yeah…
Right in the heart of Chilmark is a great trail with sweet views that runs from the Middle Road to the King’s Highway. Also an excellent back way to Middle Road for mountain bikers sneaking up the King’s Highway…but it’s steep in places.
Sheriff’s Meadow Says: The more than 100 acres of the Middle Road Sanctuary are found on two separate parcels of land connected by a trail easement across private property. The Sanctuary is located on the terminal moraine which marks the farthest advance of the last glacier roughly 18,000 years ago. Steep ridges and valleys betray the glacial origins of the Sanctuary, as do the numerous erratics, large rocks left behind as the ice sheet retreated. While the steep ridges make for relatively strenuous hiking, the views of Chilmark Great Pond, Black Point Pond and Tisbury Great Pond from the King’s Highway end of the yellow trail provide a fitting reward.
Getting there: A bike rack, small parking area and trail map are located on the south side of Middle Road, not far from the intersection with Tabor House Road. From down-Island, take the Pan Handle Road to Middle Road and head towards Chilmark for roughly 2.5 miles. Look for Meetinghouse Road on your left. The Sanctuary parking lot, also on your left, is about 0.4 mile past the intersection with Meetinghouse Road. From up-Island, take Middle Road heading east from Beetlebung Corner. Look for Tabor House Road on your left; the parking lot will be on your right, 0.2 mile past the intersection. The entrance to the parking area is marked by a green and white “Middle Road Sanctuary” sign.
Find out more at www.sheriffsmeadow.org.
