Walking and Hiking

CAMDEN RIVERWALK  11

The Tannery Section follows Megunticook River from Rawson Avenue to Washington Street on the grounds of the former Apollo Tannery. Short, easy walk. Viewing platforms and benches along river; views of Mt. Battie. Daily hours: 6 a.m.-11 p.m.
The Seabright Section is a quiet, wooded path that follows the river to Seabright Dam and Coastal Mountains Land Trust office. No parking at dam or office. Keep distance from dam and sluice. Daily hours: 6 a.m.-11 p.m.

CAMDEN HILLS
STATE PARK   24

Open year round, the park offers hiking, biking, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, camping and picnicking. Mount Battie (with its auto road to the WWI memorial tower) provides panoramic views of Camden Harbor and Penobscot Bay. Mount Megunticook is the highest mainland mountain on the Atlantic Coast. Entrance fee at the Route 1 Camden Hills State Park gate. Campsite reservations at campwithme.com.

FERNALD’S NECK
PRESERVE  19

This CMLT preserve covers 285 acres on Fernald’s Neck and is a key part of Lake Megunticook’s ecosystem. Includes 4 miles of trails. Swimming along the rocky shore is popular. Dogs are not allowed.

LAND’S END PARK  16

Land’s End Park is a 118-acre preserve on Fernald’s Neck, the long peninsula dividing the lake. Cary Bok donated the park in 1959 in memory of Ken Wadsworth. Several secluded spots with picnic tables. Fires and camping prohibited. No toilet facilities. Daily hours: 6 a.m.-11 p.m.

BALD MOUNTAIN
PRESERVE  20

Thanks to the generosity of many donors, more than 600 acres of Bald Mountain are permanently conserved by CMLT. A 1-mile rocky hike up the 1,280-foot mountain offers many panoramic views. Please stay on designated trail to protect rare subalpine natural community. Provides access to Georges Highland Path (watch for small sign) that climbs Ragged Mountain.

CAMDEN SNOW BOWL and RAGGED MOUNTAIN PRESERVE  21

Operated by Camden’s Parks and Recreation Department, the Snow Bowl offers outdoor activities throughout the year. As a ski area, it offers 1,000 vertical feet, 20 alpine ski trails and glades, three lifts, snowmaking, night skiing, lessons, alpine racing and free-style programs, equipment rentals, and snowshoe and fat bike trails. The 400-foot Jack Williams Toboggan Chute is home to U.S. National Toboggan Championships every February. Fall foliage chairlift rides available October Sundays. Area includes sports fields, tennis courts, swim dock and small-boat launch access at 60-acre Hosmer Pond. Base lodge rental available for wedding receptions and other events. Snow Bowl is also the trailhead for hiking and biking trails that cross CMLT’s Ragged Mountain Preserve. The Red Diamond Trail goes to the summit of Ragged Mountain and on to Sundown Ledge and the intersection of the Georges Highland Path. When hiked with the Hosmer Brook Trail, it forms a moderate 2-hour loop. Maps and more information available at camdensnowbowl.com and coastalmountains.org. Daily hours: 6 a.m.-9 p.m.

MOUNT BATTIE TRAIL  25

Sturdy footwear and degree of comfort with heights needed on this short (0.6-mile) but steep trail. Stop after steep section to enjoy the view and watch for migrating raptors before proceeding to the tower. Dogs allowed on leash. This trail is closest walking access from downtown to the State Park trail network.

OLD CARRIAGE TRAIL  26

This trail connects to the Mount Battie Auto Road in Camden Hills State Park. At fork in trail: steeper shorter path is to the right; longer easier trail is to the left. Pink lady slipper orchids and trillium in spring, bunchberries and wild blueberries mid-summer.

MAIDEN CLIFF  27

A mile-long hike leads to a cross on the cliff, 800 feet above Megunticook Lake. Visible from many points around the lake, the cross is a memorial to Elenora French, an 11-year-old local girl who fell to her death in 1864. The trail links to other trails in the State Park and can easily turn into an all-day trek.

CAMDEN BOG  28

This 8-acre cattail marsh is ideal for bird watching. Daily hours: 6 a.m.-11 p.m.

MERRYSPRING NATURE CENTER  29

A privately-owned park, Merryspring is open to the public without charge year-round from dawn to dusk. Has sixty-six acres, four miles of trails, meadows, arboretum, theme gardens, outdoor hexagon. Conducts year-round educational programs for children and adults. Dogs are not allowed.

RHEAULT EASEMENT TRAIL

This 1.2-mile hike to the summit of Howe Hill includes a Hemlock Grove, and a historic mill site along Sucker Brook. The trail crosses the forested Rheault easement. Howe Hill is a managed blueberry barren so please stay on the trail.

RICHARD S. HODSON LOOP:  42 Pass through mature hardwoods and apple trees on this short side-trip while hiking the Rheault Trail.

HOWE HILL SUMMIT VIEWPOINT:  43  Accessed via the Rheault Trail, the 1.2-mile hike to the summit offers views of Bald and Hatchet Mountains, Camden Hills State Park and Penobscot Bay.

GEORGES HIGHLAND PATH — RAGGED MOUNTAIN  38

A 50-mile network of footpaths built and maintained by Georges River Land Trust. Five trailheads provide access to the Ragged Mountain area and offer some of the steepest and most strenuous hiking in the Midcoast region. The reward, however, is worth it. Open ridgelines amply reward hikers with open vistas across the Georges River watershed and Penobscot Bay. More information and maps at georgesriver.org.

GEORGES HIGHLAND PATH — ROUTE 17 TRAILHEAD  45

The GHP Route 17 trailhead, west of Mirror Lake, is the most popular for this trail and the parking lot is busy in the summer. Hope Street Trailhead offers more parking and an easier hike to the top. More information and maps at georgesriver.org.

GEORGES HIGHLAND PATH — HOPE STREET TRAILHEAD  40

This is one of two trailheads to GHP, a walking/ hiking trail (no bicycles). If the parking lot is full, travel further up Hope Road to the new Round the Mountain [44] Thorndike Brook trailhead, and follow it to the intersection with GHP. More information and maps at georgesriver.org.

ROUND THE MOUNTAIN TRAIL — THORNDIKE BROOK TRAILHEAD  44

This completed section of the multi-use RtMT is located on the west side of Ragged Mountain in Hope. Ample opportunities to connect with other hiking trails and ultimately wind up at the Camden Snow Bowl and Hosmer Pond.