Getting the opportunity to walk along the Sandy River is an experience everyone should have. The river — a 73-mile tributary to the Kennebec River — is shallow, clean and clear, sparkling as it slides over a riverbed of stones. (Here’s another walk on the Sandy River.) At this 124- acre High Peaks Alliance preserve, you can follow
Grafton Notch East in orange, Grafton Notch West in blue. By Sam Shirley With a length of almost 20 miles and 6,000 feet of elevation gain, the east side of the Grafton Loop Trail is a great backpacking trip or a long day hike through a remote part of the Mahoosucs. If doing this section
This very short trail, at Ashley J. Wing Park, in Norridgewock is not a hiking destination, but it is a nice spot to sit and enjoy nature. It leads to what was once one of the largest known white pine trees in the state. Unfortunately, the tree has lost a few of its major limbs
The water in Muddy River was clear and dark when we checked out its moss-covered stones, small cascades and ribbony path toward Sebago Lake. It’s a beautiful little river, good habitat for brook trout. On our visit to this 26-acre parcel donated by Robert Hennick and his family to Land Echo Land Trust in 2025,
While this trail system was primarily designed for bikers, it can also be a nice place to walk, especially if you hike Shore Trail along Perch Pond. Also known as Mud Pond, the undeveloped pond is not terribly appealing for swimming (rocky, murky), but you could easily splash in from one of the spots where
Sklar Park in orange; Rampe Conservation Easement in blue; Jeremiah Colburn Natural Area in green. Orono, Old Town, Bangor — this is the land for long, interconnected trail systems! Many of these link several neighborhoods, making it easy for many people to access. This big trail system connects the Sklar, Rampe, and Colburn parcels, and
The trails at Sebasticook Land Trust’s Richardson Memorial Preserve begin on mown paths through large, open fields before heading into the mixed woods, including a dense stand of balsam fir. Eventually, the trails emerge alongside the shallow, sparkling waters of Sandy Stream. On my map, you can see all the times I left the path
I’m not sure that there is another municipality in Maine with as many “nature trails” as Rangeley! This short and easy trail makes a loop behind the Rangeley Region Guides and Sportsmen’s Association clubhouse. It is named after a dedicated volunteer for the organization and was opened in 2015. The trail is meant to be walked in a clockwise
This donated 91-acre parcel of land connects to the 48-mile Hills to Sea Trail, and is accessible off the Clark Road, as the name suggests! It is protected by the Sebasticook Regional Land Trust. The moderately easy trail follows the Hills to Sea Trail for about 0.2 miles, before branching off to the right to
This short trail — just 0.2 miles — in Rocky Lake Public Land leads to a picnic area and beautiful beach on the south shore of Patrick Lake. From the parking area, the trail heads slightly downhill with the lake quickly coming into view. It first reaches the beach area, perfect for swimming! The trail