This small network of easy trails across from Mount Blue High School seems to be mostly used by the cross country teams at the high school, but it is also great for anyone who wants to enjoy quiet wooded trails not far from town. From the parking area, a variety of mowed trails criss-cross the
This property is owned and managed by the Orono Land Trust and has a nice network of trails, not far from downtown. The trail network is rather complex, and there are also unmarked trails not shown on the map. However, it is still pretty easy to navigate, thanks to trail markings and a a detailed map of the official trails.
This 72-acre city park isn’t set up for walkers as much as it is for many other recreational enthusiasts. The park has a penned-in dog park (looks like fun dogs hang out here!), 9-hole disc golf course, playing fields, a sandy beach and swimming area (fabulous!), sledding hills, picnic tables, a boat launch, etc. But
By Sam Shirley This distinctive mountain in Peru (1,550 ft) in elevation. is most well known for the massive 600 foot-tall cliffs on its south face popular with rock climbers. There is also a network of old logging roads and multi-use trails which provide opportunities for nice loop hikes up the mountain from both the
The 1,440-acre town forest offers walking along dirt roads and weathered forest tracks. Some of these trails lead to Marsh Stream, which has rapids where a broken snowmobile bridge crosses it to Pine View Lane (marked with a red icon on my map). Marsh Stream is wide enough to fool you into thinking it might
This place is miraculous. I couldn’t stop taking photos, though none do justice to what you see in person, especially on a clear spring day: an exposed landscape of burgundy barrens and jumbled rocks set against a bright sky and the green-blue waters of Salt Pond. On a different day, in another season, the colors
By Sam Shirley This lightly used trail in the White Mountain National Forest crosses the northwest shoulder of Peabody Mountain, connecting the Wild River and Androscoggin River Valleys. The trail is lightly maintained and marked, so care is required to follow it in places. From end to end, it’s about 3.5 miles. From the north
Vienna Mountain trails in blue, other Kennebec Highland trails in red. McGaffey Mountain trails in gray. On a clear day, under a wide open sky, standing amid Vienna Mountain’s purple-red blueberry barrens and the varying shades of distant blue mountains is an extraordinary experience. At this site, in the state-owned Kennebec Highlands, you’ll find one
Boody Pond trails in red; York Hill Farm fat biking trails in blue. By Sam Shirley The far western part of Kennebec Highlands Public Land, in Vienna and New Sharon, sees a lot less use than the eastern part. The miles of old woods roads in this part of the Highlands make for easy, secluded hiking.
By Sam Shirley At 1,340 acres, Chesterville Wildlife Management Area (WMA) protects a large area of upland forest, as well as wetlands surrounding North Pond and Little Norridgewock Stream. An old logging road and informal trails provide opportunities for exploring the upland portions of the management area on foot or on skis during the winter. Additionally, Little