DISCOVERTHE CUTLER COAST

VISIT MAINE’S BOLD, BEAUTIFUL COASTAL TRAILS • BY EMILY BAER

EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK, you’ll find people making bold claims about Maine’s greatness. Over there, the best lobster roll in New England. Here, the world’s best whoopie pie. We have the ‘prettiest village,’ the ‘best IPA in the country,’ and the ‘best coastal town in America.’

You never know where these declarations come from, but despite my persistent skepticism, I’ve found that a surprising many are true. We are blessed with an endless bucket list of restaurants to try, beverages to sip, and places to visit in Maine. There’s an embarrassment of riches here.

The Cutler Coast Public Preserved Land is a 12,334-acre swath of wild, windswept land that stands quiet watch over the Bay of Fundy. Just east of Machias, this part of Maine is known as the Bold Coast, and it truly is as bold as it is beautiful. The preserve in Cutler hosts over 10 miles of networked trails and encompasses a handful of distinct ecosystems. Depending on which trail you chose, you’ll pass through a mossy forest, a cedar swamp, stunning granite outcroppings, winding meadow paths, and a freshwater marsh.

Despite being a remote destination, this is a popular hike and you may be surprised to find a full parking lot when you arrive. Since you’ll be traveling over diverse terrain, it is important to wear sturdy footwear and to double check the weather before you head out. There’s a good chance that the temperatures at the trailhead will be different than those along the coastal route, so layers are also recommended. There are composting toilets by the parking lot but no facilities otherwise; food, water, and trash are all carry in-carry out.

The shortest route is Coastal Trail to Ocean Overlook. A moderate 2.8-mile hike, this option is a down-and-back that could likely be completed in a little over two hours. The trail includes a section of board-walk and some uneven terrain, but the payoff is more than worth it. When you emerge from the forest you will be greeted with dramatic cliffs, the sound of waves crashing against the shore below, and a vast expanse of water and sky ahead of you. The views are stunning.

If you decide to push on from here, you’ll head south on the Black Point Brook Loop trail. This turns your adventure into a much longer hike — 6.65 miles roundtrip from the trailhead — and a slightly more difficult one at that. You’ll follow the cliff-side trail until Black Point Cove, which is an excellent picnic spot and the home of the first tent site you’ll find. Still, plan for a leisurely jaunt along the trail before you arrive at the cove; the cliffs along this section demand admiration and it’s worth maintaining a slower pace to soak it all in. At Black Point you’ll have the option to turn off towards the trailhead or continue on along the Fairy Head Trail. This is the longest trail option — over nine miles in total — but provides the most shoreside hiking and access to three additional tent sites. Again, this is mixed terrain. Soon after the third site the trail turns inland, winding its way back to the parking lot through forest, meadows, and marshland as the booming crash of waves along the coastline slowly give way to the quiet hum of inland habitats.

Over the years, I’ve heard Cutler Coast Public Preserved Land described as one of the best kept secrets in Maine.

Friends and acquaintances have gushed over trail notes and photographs, eager to share their discovery. They’ve said it is ‘astonishingly beautiful,’ ‘a must-do,’ and one of the ‘best hikes in Maine.’ For once, I’m sure. These are bold claims about a Bold Coast, and each one is absolutely true.