We already know that some of the best hiking trails are right here in Maine. However, if you’ve never visited any of them in the fall, you are missing out. Not only are the bugs gone, the temperature perfect and many trails offer breathtaking views this time of year.
Pack a picnic and get the whole family excited to see some wildlife and explore all the beautiful colors as we transition from summer to autumn. Here are some amazing hikes you won’t want to miss.
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK: Choose from a variety of different trails, whether you are looking for a full day of hiking or want to take your kids for a shorter stroll. There are many options to pick from, like the short 1.5-mile hike that starts at The Bubbles and offers great views of the landscape.
PEMETIC MOUNTAIN LOOP: The challenging Pemetic Mountain Loop is the fourth highest peak in Maine and located near Seal Harbor, and at over four miles long, it offers a more strenuous hike with wonderful views of the ocean, The Bubbles, Connors Nubble, and Eagle Lake.
ESSEX WOODS: The Essex Woods loop is located in the Essex Street recreation area in Bangor and stretches across 70 acres of land. It’s perfect for kids of all ages since it’s under a mile and a nice, easy hike. The trails run through wetlands and reforested areas and can also be utilized in the winter for cross-country skiing.
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Ready to explore autumn’s blazing colors? Here are some of the best fall foliage hikes.Jesup Path in Acadia National Park PHOTO BY AISLINN SARNACKI
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BANGOR CITY FOREST: With 17.5 miles of networked trails, the Bangor City Forest has easy to moderate hikes. You can even bring the family dog to hike along with you as long as you keep them on a leash. There is lots of wildlife to observe, and the trail has connections to the Orono Bog Boardwalk which stays open until about the first snowfall.
EAGLE BLUFF TRAIL: You’ll find Eagle Bluff Trail on Route 180 in Clifton, and it’s great if you are into rock climbing. It offers one of the best views of fall foliage in the state. From its peak, you have an amazing view of Cedar Swamp Pond.
BECTON TRAIL ON BLUE HILL MOUNTAIN: Located on Turkey Hill Farm Road in Blue Hill, this trail travels an isolated mountain in a flat area. The hike is a little under 2 miles and when you reach the top of the 934-foot mountain, you will enjoy incredible views.
THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL, MOUNT KATAHDIN: Maine’s most famous mountain is located at Baxter State Park in Millinocket, reaching 5,267 feet above sea level. Mount Katahdin is the highest point in the state, and offers many trails to choose from.
THE KENDUSKEAG STREAM TRAIL: Traversing the center of Bangor, the Kenduskeag Stream Trail offers views of both the stream and Bangor’s historic downtown. There’s lots of parking close by, and the trail is just over two miles, one way.
MOUNT BATTIE: In Camden Hills State Park, Mount Battie is located a few miles north of Camden on Route 1 and offers a stunning, panoramic view of Camden Harbor and Penobscot Bay from the top. There are several trails to choose from ranging from easy to difficult, and some trails even allow bikes. If hiking isn’t for you, you can also drive to the top.
THE DOWN EAST SUNRISE TRAIL: Enjoy an 87-mile stretch that starts in Ellsworth and ends in Pembroke. The trail is multi-use and offers lots of different places to park.
LILY BAY STATE PARK: Located in Greenville, Lily Bay State Park is located on the banks of Moosehead Lake, the largest lake in New England. It has a 2-mile walking trail along the beach with easy terrain and beautiful views of the lake.
Getting your family outside to explore the beautiful colors, smells, and landscapes that autumn in Maine gives us is a wonderful gift.
It’s a chance to get out and feel the crisp air before the snow starts to fall, and as Mainers we are lucky there are so many things to do and places to explore. Whether you are looking to take the family on a weekend trip or just want to get out and stretch your legs for a few hours. Here is a list of things you can do with your family this fall.
Agricultural fairs are abundant around the state. Visiting one, or several, offers fun for the entire family. It’s the perfect time of year to spend the day outside petting animals, going on rides, tasting local food, and supporting Maine crafters.
SEPT. 22-24: Check out the Common Ground Fair held on Crosby Brook Road in Unity. This fair has lots of animals and wonderful food.
SEPT. 24-OCT. 1: Visit the Cumberland Fair, held at 197 Blanchard Road in Cumberland. The Cumberland Fair is known for its impressive exhibits and animal pulls.
OCT. 1-8: The Fryeburg Fair, held at 1154 Main St. in Freyburg, is Maine’s largest agricultural fair. The fair offers exhibit halls, a museum, and lots of animals.
Apple Picking is a wonderful way to get the entire family out for a few hours. Even if you aren’t interested in picking apples, many orchards offer other activities such as hay rides, corn mazes, and lots of quaint little bakeries with yummy things to eat.
TREWORGY FAMILY ORCHARDS: Located in Levant, the farm offers tractor hayrides, a corn maze, a petting zoo, ice cream, a cafe, and pick-your-own pumpkins and gourds in every shape and size.
CONANT ORCHARDS: On Stage Road in Etna, Conant’s has over 20 varieties of apples. After picking, you can grab some other goodies like apple cider and their famous cheese.
Camping in the fall is wonderful — there are no bugs and the chilly nights make for great sleeping weather.
PLEASANT HILL CAMPGROUND: Located 5 miles from downtown Bangor, Pleasant Hill is open until Indigenous People’s Day. You can bring a tent to pitch or enjoy one of their extra wide sites for an RV. This campground is located near lots of restaurants, so there’s no need to pack food for every meal.
Maine festivals come in every shape and size. They’re a great way to support local and have some autumn fun.
DAMARISCOTTA PUMPKINFEST AND REGATTA: Scheduled every year during Indigenous People’s Weekend, the Pumpkinfest starts off with a parade and offers lots of fun family events like the Pumpkin Regatta Race.
WINDSWEPT GARDENS FALL FESTIVAL: At 1709 Broadway in Bangor, Windswept Gardens will host its third annual fall festival Oct. 5-6. In the past, this festival has provided a pumpkin carving workshop, music, and lots of great food.
Taking a drive can be a great way to spend time with the family that doesn’t take a lot of planning. Here are some scenic routes to try.
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK LOOP: This is about a threehour drive that will take you through Jordan Pond Road and by Thunder Hole, two famous Maine landmarks.
AROOSTOOK NORTHERN TOUR: About a six-hour drive, the tour starts north of Bangor on I-95 and leads you through Maine’s potato region.
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Winter in Maine is often a divisive subject — you either love it or hate it. But the key to becoming a person who looks forward to seeing that white stuff fall from the sky is finding the right activity. While snuggling under a cozy blanket until spring has its appeal, getting outside to make the most of the snow and cold is the only way to really enjoy the season. And one of the best ways to enjoy some time outdoors is on a freshly groomed carpet of corduroy — whether it’s a downhill ski slope or a trail through the woods for cross-country skiing or snow-shoeing.
Here are a few groomed trails to check out this winter.
Maine offers some of the best downhill skiing in the country, with dozens of mountains and hills to choose from and slopes for all skill levels. There’s nothing quite like getting that first chair in the morning and cutting tracks across a freshly groomed trail.
Located in Mars Hill, Big Rock has trails for everyone, whether you’re looking for bombing speed, sweeping slopes, or boxes and jumps on the terrain park. Big Rock offers 29 trails, a massive tubing hill, 2 chairlifts (with a new quad going in next year), and a surface lift for beginners.
BIGROCKMAINE.COM
HERMON MOUNTAIN
The perfect family-friendly hill, Hermon Mountain is just minutes from Bangor, overlooks Hermon Pond, and offers 20 trails and a double chair lift. Plus — when conditions are right, there’s a tubing hill for extra fun.
SKIHERMONMOUNTAIN.COM
SUGARLOAF
People travel from all over the world to ski Sugarloaf, and we’re lucky enough to have it right here within driving distance. It gets packed on beautiful winter days, but with an ever-expanding line-up of 14 lifts and 162 trails, there’s plenty of mountain to go around. Looking for even more variety? The Sugarloaf Outdoor Center offers 50 kilometers of groomed classic and skate skiing trails.
SUGARLOAF.COM
SADDLEBACK MOUNTAIN
With a 2,000-foot vertical drop, 68 trails and glades, 2 terrain parks, and incredible views of western Maine and the surrounding frozen lakes, Saddleback is worth the drive to Rangeley. The trails offer a wide range of difficulty, with plenty of options to keep both beginners and experts entertained for hours.
SADDLEBACKMAINE.COM
If you’re looking for a little less speed and a little more glide, here’s where to find beautifully groomed cross-country trails for classic skiing (in two parallel tracks cut into the snow) or skate skiing (on a wider groomed path using a technique similar to ice skating).
For a real Maine experience, head to Baxter in the winter. You’ll find winter parking off the Golden Road near Abol Bridge, where you can ski into the park for a beautiful and remote experience.
BAXTERSTATEPARK.ORG
At the base of Saddleback Mountain in Maine’s western mountains, discover over 50 kilometers of scenic trails for nordic skiing and snowshoeing. With 200-plus inches of annual snowfall, you’re almost guaranteed to find great conditions.
RANGELEYLAKESTRAILCENTER.ORG
BANGOR
The City of Bangor offers 7 miles of trails for nordic skiing that traverse the municipal golf course. Snowshoers and dogs are welcome, but asked to stay off the groomed trails. BANGORGC.COM
PINELAND
Located in New Gloucester, Pineland has over 5,000 acres of woodlands and fields open to the public for year-round activities. Ski and snowshoe rentals and lessons are available.
PINELANDFARMS.ORG
Snowshoeing is an easy sport to learn and a great way to get outside in the winter. The racket-like footwear lets you walk on top of the snow — whether you’re blazing your own trail through fresh powder or following a groomed path.
AROOSTOOK STATE PARK
Way up in Presque Isle on Echo Lake, find 6 miles of beautifully groomed snowshoeing trails for a trek up Quaggy Jo Mountain (with separate trails and a set track for crosscountry skiing as well), plus a sliding hill and ice skating on the lake for extra fun. MAINE.GOV
The Bangor City Forest includes 680 acres of wildlife habitat, with more than 9 miles of trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing groomed by Penobscot Valley Ski Club (visit pvskiclub.org for a long list of greater Bangor ski trails).
BANGORMAINE.GOV/CITYFOREST
If you’re heading toward the midcoast, Georges River Land Trust offers free trail access for snowshoeing and skiing, including the 1.1 mile long groomed Appleton Preserve trail. GEORGESRIVER.ORG
You can count on Presque Isle to have snow — which makes it the perfect location for the Nordic Heritage Outdoor Center, featuring 35 miles of trails for snowshoeing and skiing. NORDICHERITAGEOC.ORG
Are you looking for a winter skiing destination offering a unique blend of charm and adventure? Look no further than Big Rock Ski Area in Mars Hill, Maine. This hidden gem boasts unparalleled natural beauty, with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys covered in a blanket of glistening snow only found in Northern Maine.
Exciting things are happening at Big Rock Mountain in the coming years. Thanks to the generous support of foundations, grants, and donations, both private and pub lic, we will soon be installing a new lift and snow making equipment. The Doppel mayr four-person chairlift will begin construction in the Spring of 2024, creating quicker lift rides to the top, shorter lines, and a better overall experience. With that installation comes the addition of new and updated snowmaking facilities that will allow people to enjoy the trails even earlier!
When you purchase a ski lift ticket (whether that is an RFID card or a sticker pass hung from a zipper), do you know what that ticket does? At most ski areas that helps pay for the maintenance of the facility: lodge, ski lift, staff, and all things operational. When you purchase a lift ticket at Big Rock, your ticket does that and so much more.
Big Rock Ski Area is one of only a handful of non-profit ski areas in the United States. Purchasing a lift ticket goes directly back into the community ski area through not only the aforementioned maintenance, but into programs that get all walks of life onto the slopes.
Programs at Big Rock include a youth race team, adult race league, adult ski educa tion clinics, community ski days, and school / recreational programming. Young people from across the county are able to ski in their own backyard and share in this wonderful sport, all thanks to the support of businesses, foundations, donations, and your lift ticket.
That lift ticket gains access to our well-maintained trails suitable for all skill levels. Big Rock Ski Area offers a diverse range of terrain that's perfect for both seasoned skiers and beginners. It's a family-friendly destination, with ski lessons and programs tailored to kids’ skill levels. The affordability of the lift ticket prices and rental equipment rates makes it an accessible option for all winter enthusiasts. For those seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, Big Rock Ski Area is a tranquil retreat where you can reconnect with nature and find solace in the beauty of the winter landscape. Deeply embedded in the local community, Big Rock often hosts events, races, and festivals that bring together locals and visitors alike. So, whether you are a seasoned skier or a first-time visitor, we invite you to embrace the magic of winter and experi ence the joy of one of Maine’s greatest pastimes in a truly remarkable setting!
Mars Hill, Maine
A Hidden Gem.
Affordable Family Skiing
Affordable Family Skiing
Northern Maine Snow Pack
Northern Maine Snow Pack
Improved Snow Making
Improved Snow Making
28 Trails
Diverse Trail System
28 Trails Diverse Trail System
980 Vertical Feet
980 Vertical Feet
2 Hours from Bangor
2 Hours from Bangor
4 Hours from Portland
4 Hours from Portland
A Community NonProfit Ski Area
A Community NonProfit Ski Area
Sitting at the mouth of the Passagassawakeag River, the view of Belfast Harbor is postcard-worthy in nearly any weather. During the spring and summer months, sailboats and day cruisers dot its deep blue waters; in fall, the shores are richly dressed in a spray of red and gold leaves; and in winter, despite the hush of snow and ice, it moves with the constant ebb and flow of tides.
Few know the harbor’s many moods as well as Nicolle Littrell, the owner and operator of DoryWoman Rowing. A registered Maine guide, Littrell has spent hundreds of hours on the water, first with a local rowing group, Come Boating, and then as the sole lead for DoryWoman Rowing. These days, you’ll find her rowing with clients aboard Sorciere, her traditional-Style wooden Swampscott Dory, year-round.
Now in her second year in business, Littrell has brought hundreds of new and returning rowers out on the water. “I am so grateful to be able to do this and so passionate about sharing what I love,” she says.
While most of her clients are women ranging from their thirties into their seventies, Littrell is deeply committed to sharing the experience with folks of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
“The access piece is really important to me,” she says. “All skill levels are welcome. My hope is always to be able to offer this opportunity to a broad spectrum of people and I have been fortunate to be able to do so over the past few years.”
“What you’ll experience on the water really depends on the season,” Littrell explains. “There is always wildlife, and being on the water is a wonderful way to get to see and know this place. Depending on if you row up the Passagassawakeag River or into the bay, you’ll enter a whole new world.”
With offerings that include lessons, guided tours, workouts, and special event rows, there are opportunities to be on the water early in the day and into
A new way to experience Belfast HarborRowing in Belfast Harbor. PHOTOS COURTESY OF NICOLLE LITTRELL
the sunset hours. Littrell tailors the experiences to the changing seasons, highlighting the diversity of Maine weather on the water while always keeping safety and comfort front of mind.
“Safety is always the number one priority,” she says. “We go out in all kinds of weather, but I am always assessing the conditions and scaling the experience to make sure each row is a positive experience.”
No matter the time of year, having fun is at the core of each excursion. Each month, Littrell hosts a Full Moon Row. Sunset rows offer breathtaking views of the surrounding skyline and a new perspective on local land and seascapes. When Belfast hosts community events, themed rows complement land-based activities and rowers partake in the festivities from the water. On Halloween, a brew of merry witches can be seen traversing the harbor — cackling with glee and waving to costumed onlookers on Belfast’s iconic Armistice Footbridge.
The joyousness is contagious. Rowers smile beneath watercolor sunset skies, laugh under pouring rain, and sit strong and peaceful while paddling through a slushy, snowy mess of ice. For many, the first row is the start of a new relationship with the water, their sense of freedom, and their strength.
“Whenever you’re on the water, you just feel this incredible sense of space,” Littrell says. “Whatever is going on in your life, whatever you have on your mind, a lot of it just disappears. It’s really powerful.”
To book your first row or learn more about DoryWoman Rowing, please visit dorywomanrowing.com.
Thewoods hold an allure—of solitude, of space, of opportunity. Many of us live near to or recreate in Maine’s North Woods for just these reasons. The Forest Society of Maine’s (FSM) mission is to ensure that there will always be forests throughout Maine where people can “just be,” in the many forms that may take.
FSM has been actively conserving forestlands across Maine for forty years and in the Greenville region since 2003. Our decades-long commitment to conservation in the Moosehead region began with the completion of the nearly 300,000-acre West Branch project and continues today with the Scammon Ridge project. This is an oppor tunity to forever conserve the largest undeveloped, con tiguous forested area within the Town of Greenville that is of importance to the local community.
a high elevation ridge located between Lower Wilson Pond, which forms the headwaters of the Penobscot River watershed, and Prong Pond, which forms the head
waters of the Kennebec River watershed. The upland ridge portions of the property provide expansive views of Moosehead Lake and the surrounding landscape.
The Scammon Ridge lands have exceptional conservation values that encompass several important ecosystems. They contain well managed forests; frontage on two ponds, including the entire undeveloped shoreline of a small pristine pond; significant wetlands used by a multitude of mammal, bird, and insect species; state mapped Inland Wading Bird and Waterfowl Habitat; and several cold-water streams that support native
include fishing and ice fishing on Prong Pond, hiking, hunting, birdwatching, mountain biking, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. This parcel’s proximity to the town of Greenville makes it easily accessible to those who desire a wilderness experience without straying too far from local amenities. All these values, along with sustainable forest management, will be safeguarded in perpetuity by the conservation easement being placed on these lands by the Forest Society of Maine.
Whatever your favorite woodsy pursuit, it is thesure you and people of all ages can continue to enjoy forests forever. When you are next spending time in thely privately owned lands as they are and available for
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