Grants from the Land for Maine’s Future program in 2016 helped enable the purchase of several forested parcels near the Crooked River in Harrison and Otisfield. The largest of these is Loon Echo Land Trust’s Intervale parcel, which contains more than a mile of frontage on the river and some easy trails down to the Read More
Hiking
We are fortunate that Maine has hundreds of miles of trails to explore. These locations are great for all levels of hiking—from winding trails along Maine's coast to high mountain peaks in western Maine and beyond. Always check the weather before heading out, and let a friend or family member know where you are headed if you are hiking alone. Don't forget to check in when you return. Enjoy your time exploring Maine's public lands!
Grafton Notch Conservation Project
In 2007, the Grafton Notch Conservation Project was completed to preserve this parcel of pristine, heavily wooded land that is located in one of New England’s top hiking areas. The property encompasses the southeast slope of Old Speck Mountain, four miles of the Grafton Notch Loop Trail, and a popular snowmobile path. These 3,688 acres Read More
Bald and Ragged Mountains
Both standing at about 1,300 ft., these twin peaks present Midcoast residents and visitors with some excellent hikes and spectacular views of shimmering lakes, dense forests, and nearby Penobscot Bay. Coastal Mountains Land Trust has spearheaded ambitious efforts to conserve these mountains and their surrounding areas for decades. They manage a good deal of the Read More
Rumford Whitecap Mountain Preserve
This Mahoosuc Land Trust project offers nature lovers with a unique opportunity to explore two very different ecological systems in a single visit. The Rumford Whitecap Mountain Preserve includes two trails of moderate difficulty that lead right up to the site’s signature bald summit. Hikers who reach this 2,412’ peak are rewarded with an extraordinary Read More
Baldwin Hill Conservation Cemetery, Fayette
The Baldwin Hill Conservation Cemetery in Fayette is a 10-acre area with a 0.25-mile universally accessible trail that is ADA compliant. This serene spot in Central Maine is a wonderful place to visit for reflection and some quiet time amongst Maine’s beautiful trees. This is an especially beautiful spot to visit during the fall foliage Read More
Hope Cemetery & Woods, Kennebunk
The Friends of Hope Cemetery & Woods constructed this Universally Accessible Trail (UAT), which takes visitors through the woods and along a beautiful meadow, for people who have mobility needs, such as use of wheelchairs and strollers, as well as others who might need to use a cane or walker to travel the trail. There Read More
Trail of the Senses, Hirundo Wildlife Refuge
Chosen By: Beth Comeau, Communications Manager Location: Old Town, Penobscot County Description: Two trails (one 0.15 miles and the other 0.24 miles) within the seven-mile trail system within the Hirundo Wildlife Refuge Activities: Hiking, photography, picnicking, wildlife watching Why it’s special: This trail is special because it meets ADA standards for accessibility so that more Read More
Androscoggin Riverlands
When a timber company with lands along the Androscoggin River began to divest itself of its Maine holdings in the late 1980s, local residents grew concerned that the woods they had long enjoyed for traditional recreation might be subdivided and developed. They circulated petition drives, created a video about the property, and sought help from Read More
Aroostook State Park
In a rolling landscape dominated by farms, Quaggy Joe Mountain presents a prominent profile. Alongside it lies Echo Lake, a popular brook trout fishery and swimming destination. Both these recreational resources lie within Aroostook State Park, the first state park ever created in Maine (in 1939). The Park, just five miles south of Presque Isle, draws Read More
