- Blue Hill Heritage Trust (BHHT) bluehillheritagetrust.org
- Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust (GPMCT) greatpondtrust.org
- Island Heritage Trust (IHT) islandheritagetrust.org
- Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) mcht.org
Blue Hill
Blue Hill Town Park
113 Water St. Playground, picnic tables, tidal access to water. Town of Blue Hill.
Blue Hill Mountain
BHHT. Fine views of Mount Desert Island and Blue Hill Bay from ledges atop the mountain. Base to summit is 1 mile; elevation gain 500 ft. Parking on Mountain Rd. Becton Trail, views of Toddy Pond, 2 miles to summit, parking on Turkey Farm Rd. Post Office Trail, 1-mile trail leads to Osgood Trail up mountain, trail head behind post office.
Heart of Blue Hill Trail System
BHHT. Parker Point to South St., Murphy and Kaiser Trails. Designed for accessibility through village off busy roads. Easy 0.5 mile walk through mixed wood forest. Park on South St. by Mainescape or by trailhead on Parker Point Rd.
Kingdom Woods Conservation Area
BHHT. Kingdom Rd., 1 mile from Rte. 177. Protected wetlands and forest, trails.
Peter’s Brook Trail
BHHT. Half-mile trail along Big Peter’s Brook features steep grades, creating numerous drops and pools, ending at a waterfall. Trailhead is located across from A.B. Herrick Memorial Landing at Peter’s Cove on East Blue Hill Rd.
Brooklin
Harriman Point Preserve
MCHT. Just under 2 miles of shoreline and 138 acres on Harriman Point.
Hundred Acre Wood
BHHT. Easy 1.7-mile trail through 100 acres of varied woodland and ledge outcroppings. Trailhead is located on High St., 0.1 miles from the “four corners” intersection with Hales Wood Rd., River Rd. and Hales Hill Rd.
Brooksville
Ferry Landing
BHHT. W. Brooksville. 23 acres of fields and woods bordering the Bagaduce River across from Castine. From N. Brooksville, drive west on Rte. 176 approximately 3 miles to W. Brooksville and turn right on Ferry Rd.
Holbrook Island Sanctuary State Park
20 Otis Gray Rd., Harborside, 326-4012. Open year-round 9 a.m. to sunset. Visitors can explore and enjoy picnicking, fishing, hiking trails and wildlife watching. Owned and operated by the state of Maine.
John B. Mountain
BHHT. Views of Eggemoggin Reach and E. Penobscot Bay from this 250-foot mountain. Trails to summit are short, steep and rocky, 1-mile loop, with 0.2 mile spur leading to view of Horseshoe Cove. Two small parking areas on west side of Breezemere Rd.
Meadow Brook – Mill Stream Conservation Area
BHHT. 1/3-mile trail with multiple accessibility features. 6-foot wide hard packed gravel path. Site of a restored alewife fish passageway. Parking lot and trail head located on right 1 mile down Bagaduce Rd. from the intersection of Rtes. 175 (Bridge St./Frank’s Flat) & 176 (Bagaduce/Coastal Rd.).
Ram Island and Emanuel Island
MCHT. In the Bagaduce River, southeasterly from Nautilus Island and north of Harborside.
Snow Natural Area
BHHT. N. Brooksville. 40-acre parcel with 2,550+ feet of shorefront on the Bagaduce River. Start at the reversing falls on Rte. 175/176 in N. Brooksville, head south to stop sign, turn right on Rte. 176. Travel 0.25 miles down the road, take a right onto Young’s Point Rd. When the road forks, bear right. Look for a small parking area on right.
Bucksport
Bucksport Waterfront Walkway
Mile-long, brick-paved path along the Penobscot River. Stroller-friendly, features historic plaques, gardens, views of the Penobscot Narrows bridge. Accessed from many points along Main Street in Bucksport; pick any road that heads toward the water to find it.
Miles Lane Trail
Parking is adjacent to all-weather 1/4-mile track at Bucksport High School. 3.1-mile network of trails; walkers can choose different segments as their needs change.
Silver Lake Trails
67-acre park with a self-narrated tour of a species forest; walkers can learn about every tree that is native to this area of Maine. 350 Central Street, Bucksport. Six trails totaling 2.6 miles.
West Trailhead (part of the Wildlands)
GPMCT. Quietest, most remote entry point into the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands. Offers a rugged atmosphere. 445 Mast Hill Road. Small gravel turnout parking fits only a few cars.
Castine
Greenbie Natural Area
BHHT. Walking trail begins at Rte. 166A. 43-acre property includes field, mixed woods, two seasonal streams, beaver flowage.
Hatch Cove Preserve
BHHT. Castine Rd. Picnic on mowed fields on either side of Rte. 166 just north of the British Canal.
Lookout Rock Preserve
MCHT. 17-acre parcel with stone steps leading to viewpoints over Penobscot Bay, Camden Hills, Vinalhaven and Isle au Haut. Located off Herrick Rd. in Brooksville.
Rene Henderson Natural Area
MCHT. The Shore Rd. Located on the east side of Rte. 166A, 0.7 miles north of its southern intersection with Rte. 166. Two trails: Eagle Trail and Garden Club Trail. Working forest area with trails, open to the public.
Starr & Virginia Lampson Preserve
MCHT. Rte. 199, just off Rte. 166, Castine/Penobscot. 21 acres, with 0.75 mile loop trail to Bagaduce River. 1,500 feet of shoreline and trail to Grindle’s Eddy cove. Small parking area.
Witherle Woods
MCHT. 185 acres of old-growth woods offers a network of trails, including 300 feet of ocean frontage along Blockhouse Point.
Deer Isle
Barred Island Preserve
IHT/Nature Conservancy. 0.9 mile down Goose Cove Rd. 1-mile, moderately difficult walk through quiet forest to overlook and then to beach and bar to Barred Island.
Causeway Beach
IHT. Beach off Rte. 15 causeway between Deer Isle and Little Deer Isle.
Church Land Preserve
IHT. King Row, Deer Isle. 1.3 miles, moderate, on 47 acres, with series of loop trails, one of which touches the Lily Pond. Old growth trees, rocky outcrops.
Edgar M. Tennis Preserve
IHT. Off Sunshine Rd. Historical and natural areas spread over several moderately difficult trails on 145 acres.
Lily Pond Park
IHT. Parking off Quaco Rd. Easy walk to beach, swimming, changing room, carry-in boat launch, trails. Wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Lisa Tolman Wotton Nature Preserve
IHT. 1 mile down Blastow Rd. Trails through cedar groves and over rocky ledges.
Mariners Memorial Park
Short distance from Rte. 15 and Sunshine Rd. Flowers, shrubs in spring and summer with walking trails in fields and woods to shore. Owned/managed by Evergreen Garden Club.
Pine Hill Preserve
IHT. Off Blastow Cove Rd., Little Deer Isle. Short, steep difficult climb to panoramic view of Eggemoggin Reach with unique rocks and plants, and quarry.
Reach Beach at Gray’s Cove
IHT. Reach Rd./Oak Point Rd. Picnicking and walking with views over to Naskeag Point.
Scott’s Landing
IHT. Entrance across from Causeway Beach. 20 acres of trails, beaches and fields at site of old ferry landing.
Shore Acres Preserve
IHT. Greenlaw District Rd., off Sunshine Rd. Easy, level and relaxing 1.5-mile loop trail to shore.
Isle au Haut
Duck Harbor
Acadia National Park. Mount Champlain, good viewpoint on the highest summit, with trails along ridge from summit (road to summit, 1 mile, elevation gain 400 ft.). Numerous trails on island. 288-3338
Orland
Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery
Trail system consists of about 2.7 miles of interconnected paths, generally flat, well-maintained, and easy to navigate, good for children and casual hikers. Parking: 306 Hatchery Rd. and other spots.
Dead River Trailhead (part of the Wildlands)
GMPCT. Foot, bicycle, horse access. On Don Fish Rd. 0.5 mi. past Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery, gate accesses the west side of the Wildlands; parking available; horse trailer parking at hatchery.
Mountain Trailhead (part of the Wildlands)
GMPCT. Foot access only. Starting point for Stuart Gross Path, most popular hiking trail in the Wildlands.
North Trailhead (part of the Wildlands)
GMPCT. Northern entrance to the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands, a 5,200-acre preserve. Rugged and remote. 1387 Bald Mountain Rd. Two small parking areas.
South Trailhead (part of the Wildlands)
GPMCT. The most accessible entrance to the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands. Offers a different landscape of meadows, brooks and rolling hills. Parking is 100 yards west of intersection of Rtes. 1 and 176 (1574 Acadia Highway).
Penobscot
Frank Wiswall Natural Area & Dunc’s Meadow
30 acres with beaver dam and lodge in Dunc’s Meadow pond.
Penobscot Community Forest at Wallamatogus Mountain
BHHT. Mill Creek Rd. Two+ miles of roads through blueberry fields, views of Penobscot Bay, Bagaduce River watershed.
Sherm Perkins Memorial Park
BHHT. Expansive views of Northern Bay. Located in the village on Rtes. 175 and 199 immediately west of the Bay View Market and Take Out.
Starr & Virginia Lampson Preserve
MCHT. Rte. 199, just off Rte. 166, Castine/Penobscot. 21 acres, with 0.75 mile loop trail to Bagaduce River. 1,500 feet of shoreline and trail to Grindle’s Eddy Cove. Small parking area.
Tills Point Preserve
MCHT. Tills Point Rd. off Wardwell Point Rd. 49-acre shoreline, observe songbirds, shorebirds, seals, ospreys, bald eagles. 0.5-mile easy trail ends at the shore. Trail can be wet.
Weinland Natural Area
BHHT. Gray Ridge Rd. 40+ acres includes hard- and soft-wood stands, brook, wetlands, granite outcroppings along 1-mile trail.
Sedgwick
Bluff Head
BHHT. Off Route 15, 0.2 miles down Rope Ferry Rd., parking, trailhead. Pleasant walk through woods leading to panoramic views of Bagaduce River.
Cooper Farm at Caterpillar Hill
BHHT. 134-acre Cooper Farm property lies on the sloping fields of Caterpillar Hill on Rte 15. Hike the 2-mile trail network, pick blueberries, swim or paddle at nearby Walker Pond.
Snow’s Cove Preserve
BHHT. Two-mile trail through diverse forests with views of Bagaduce River. Horseshoe crab breeding area. Small parking lot and trailhead located on west side of Rte. 15/Snow’s Cove Rd.
Stonington
Crockett Cove Woods
IHT/Nature Conservancy. Off Whitman Rd., Burnt Cove. Self-guided, quiet nature trails over 98 acres with several trails through spruce and fir bog forest, interesting lichens and mosses, birds and natural features.
Holt Mill Pond Preserve
Airport Rd. Self-guided, quiet nature trails through forest and marshes with large bird population to observe. Town of Stonington.
Settlement Quarry
IHT. Oceanville Rd. Spectacular 50-acre site with trails, views over Webb Cove and to Stonington Harbor with interesting geology, history and forests.
Small Cove Park
6 Atlantic Ave. “Pocket” park with view of harbor, picnic tables, children’s area. Town of Stonington.
Surry
Carter Nature Preserve
BHHT. Cross Rd., maintained with help from Friends of Morgan Bay. Panoramic views of Morgan Bay with ledges, tidal pools, cobble beach, three sections of trail through field, shoreline, mixed inland forest.
Furth Wildlife Sanctuary & Talalay Nature Sanctuary
BHHT. Trail starts at Cross Rd. then splits into two loops. To the left is a 1-mile loop trail through the Furth Wildlife Sanctuary’s forest to active beaver habitat. To the right is the Talalay Sanctuary’s 1-mile loop trail. Maintained with help from Friends of Morgan Bay.
Meadowbrook Forest
BHHT. Parking and trail head on Jill’s Lane off Surry Rd., 1/4 mile past post office. 2,030 acres, 11 miles of logging roads, including 5-mile loop, for running, walking, biking. Dogs are permitted off-leash.
Osgood Trail
BHHT. Accessible behind Surry Town Office or from athletic fields located just off Murphy Rd. Easy to moderate 1.1 mile-trail, passes through a mossy forest. Mostly wooded, with rocks and roots, ledges and several steps of stone stairs.
Patten Stream Preserve
BHHT. Above Surry Village, Patten Stream leaps and meanders through 41 acres of conservation property. From the parking area on Warren Ln., South Loop Trail travels through hemlock forest to the stream. A short spur trail connects it to North Loop Trail. Total distance for a round-trip hike of both loops is 1.5 miles.
Surry Forest
BHHT. Off Toddy Pond Road, 2,114 acres of forest land stretching to the Blue Hill town border, comprising a wildlife corridor running north/ south along the Peninsula. Parking available off Toddy Pond Rd. (Rte. 176) at Chestnut Ln. Park off to the side and do not completely block gate.
Verona Island
Joost Family Preserve
GMPCT. Peaceful, coastal alternative to more rugged mountain hikes in nearby Orland. 0.8 mile loop, mostly flat. Turn off US Rte. 1 onto East Side Dr. Drive 2 miles to small parking lot on left at 150 East Side Dr.