Happy trails at the trailhead! Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
by Jeff Shaw
In summer 2025, a new recreation trail opened in the wooded area that surrounds the busy boatyard of Ryder’s Cove in Chatham. That trail is named the Marconi/RCA Wireless Conservation Trail, and it is the perfect setting to sit and sip a beverage of your choice.
The kiosk at the trailhead provides a history lesson. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
Given that the trail is quite short (3 acre parcel), practically, it’s more of a pocket park, with a kiosk providing detail of the historic nature of the site and some seating. It also leans into the areas history; it was a recreation area for the staff of the Marconi-RCA Wireless Receiving Station from 1914 until the 1990s.
The wide and gentle terrain trail leads to the overlook. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
Along the trail, there are benches and a picnic table to sit and sip, with most spots overlooking the moored boats bobbing gently in ever changing tides.
Not surprisingly, my choice of beverage was hot coffee, on a chilly late summer morning. Just across the road, you can pick up the Wireless Trail at the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center grounds, the starting point of a fun adventure – the Antenna Trail Challenge – similarly inspired by the site’s history (and a pandemic).
The view from the overlook. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
Back at the turn of the 20th century, the Marconi-RCA Wireless Receiving Station was once the busiest ship-to-shore radio stations anywhere. Still standing at the site are two wireless towers, which now host osprey nesting platforms. Concrete footings of the former wireless transmission site can still be seen at Forest Beach in Chatham (osprey nests, too).
In case you need a reminder why you’re on the trail! Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
Nowadays, on an average day, Ryder Cove is busy to say the least. But on an average summer day, buckle up, take a seat, sip and enjoy the show!
The former wireless transmission site, Forest Beach, South Chatham. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
by Jeff Shaw (May 16, 2021)
Author’s Note: Picture this: a bright blue sky, the smell of salty air and fallen pine needles, the sounds of chirping birds, breaking waves and rumbling motor boats. Among a bustling fishing village and northeast vacation destination is both the literal foundation and historical sites that much of modern communication was built upon – even GPS tracking FKTs!
The location is Chatham, Massachusetts, an Atlantic Ocean facing Cape Cod town. The historical site is the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center, celebrating the final of three consecutive centennials commemorating the first trans-Atlantic and wireless maritime communication (a notable example is the Titanic’s distress signal). The man was radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi, who won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1909 for his work in wireless telegraphy.
All smiles as I attempt to create a historic route and set a fastest known time! Photo credit: Ellen Shaw.
Chatham Marconi Wireless Route
I call this route the “Chatham Marconi Wireless Route,” ideal for American history lovers, tech buffs and beach bums alike! The inspiration for the route was the “Antenna Trail Challenge,” a first-ever virtual event encouraging people to visit the remaining historic sites.
The route is a historic, coast to coast sprint, featuring a combination of surfaces: dirt trail, road, paved recreation path, and sandy beach trail. The route follows modern day roads and trails that connect the original marine radio wireless transmitting stations in North and South Chatham.
I was sure to share the route with the Race Director, so who knows, perhaps this route will be the future 5K route of Antenna Challenges!
Forest Beach Conservation Area. From the overlook, you can see former concrete pilings and poles, now historic markers. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
Start – Chatham Marconi Maritime Museum, North Chatham
The route begins on the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center grounds, at the top of the hill of the outdoor Antenna Field Trail at the bench and informational sign. The trail descends quickly into the parking lot that leads to Orleans Road with the sparkling emerald blue waters of Ryders Cove in view.
Orleans Road to Old Comers Road
Turn right out of the parking lot onto Orleans Road, passing two restored buildings on the Center grounds. Turn right onto Old Comers Road. The term “old comers” is an old Cape Cod term for families that came over on the Mayflower. Another historical site along this route, is a smallpox cemetery at the 1.5 mile mark, part of “The Triangle” conservation area.
The sandy path begins at the Forest Beach parking lot and ends at Mill Creek. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
Sam Ryder Road to West Pond Road (to Old Colony Rail Trail)
Turn left onto Sam Ryder Road. Sam Ryder was part of the fishing family of which Ryders Cove bear his last name. Turn left onto West Pond Road and immediately bear right onto the Old Colony Rail Trail Volunteer Park Extension.
Turn right onto Old Colony Rail Trail. Another historic site, the Old Colony Rail Trail is a paved pathway that runs the length of the former Chatham railway, eventually intersecting with the iconic Cape Cod Rail Trail in Harwich.
A beautiful summer day at Forest Beach, South Chatham. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
Morton Road to Forest Beach Road
Turn left onto Morton Road. At the intersection with Route 28, continue straight onto Forest Beach Road. Use the crosswalk.
Turn left onto Bay View Road. Keep right up the small hill, which is the Forest Beach Conservation Area. At the top of the hill is an overlook of the salt marsh that was the location of the former wireless transmission site. A handful of poles and four concrete pilings remain as historical reminders. At the overlook informational sign, turn around and head back down the way you came toward Forest Beach Road.
The rock jetty at Mill Creek. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
Finish – Rock Jetty at Mill Creek Entrance (between Forest Beach & Cockle Cove), South Chatham
Turn left onto Forest Beach Road into the beach parking lot. Halfway into the parking lot is a sandy path on the left.
Take a left onto the sandy path. Bare left onto the lower path. Finish at the large metal “5-MPH” Ideal Speed sign at the rock jetty entrance to Mill Creek.
Bask in an incredible view of Nantucket Sound from this remote beach!
I fell in love with the view of this remote stretch of Forest Beach and returned for the sunset. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
