How to Enjoy the Mountain Hiking Trails of Western Maine

Western Maine has many mountains that stretch from the New Hampshire border all the way to the St. John River, which forms a border between the U.S. and Canada. There are also coastal mountains in Maine, but they are not covered here. Here are a few guidelines to locating and exploring the many mountain hiking trails in the Pine Tree State.

Things You'll Need

• Backpack
• Good hiking boots
• Warm clothes
• Poncho
• Map and compass
• Water
• Insect repellent
• Lunch
• Flashlight

Instructions

1. Visit one of the many state parks in the western region of the state. The parks that are noted for their mountain hiking trails are Grafton Notch, Mount Blue and Bradbury Mountain. These are state parks where an admission fee is required to enter, but the trails are well marked and there is a park staff present to answer any questions that you might have. Bradbury Mountain is located near the city of Portland, while Grafton Notch (Old Speck Mountain) and Mount Blue are located in Western Maine.

2. Take a hike along the Appalachian Trail. This trail covers 1500 miles from Georgia to Mt. Katahdin in Maine. This state has one of the finest and longest sections of the trail. It crosses major highways in numerous locales. These are good jumping-off points for exhilarating day hikes or an adventuresome overnight excursion.

3. Visit the White Mountain National Forest at Evans Notch. The White Mountain National Forest covers a large area in New Hampshire and a smaller area at Evans Notch. Follow Maine State Highway 113 north from Fryeburg into the area just north of Stowe, where the highway skirts along the Maine-New Hampshire border. There are great hiking trails on both sides of the state line. On the Maine side, you will find good hikes for beginners at Deer Hill and the Roost and longer and more difficult hikes into higher mountains at Caribou, Ames or Speckled Mountain.

4. Visit a ski resort in the summer or fall and walk along the grassy slopes of the ski runs. Maine has numerous opportunities for this type of activity. A few places even operate a lift during the off-season for sightseers and mountain bikers, who wish to ride down the mountain without the snow. Sunday River, Shawnee Peak, Saddleback and Sugarloaf are some of the major ski areas.

5. Visit a nature preserve that encompasses a mountain habitat. Borestone Mountain and the Bigelow Nature Preserve in the Carrabassett Valley are two such places. At Bigelow, there are several trails that wind their way through the park and connect up with the Appalachian Trail, which runs along the crest of Bigelow Mountain. Check a guidebook or the Maine Atlas for more possibilities here.

Tips & Warnings

• Invest in a good pair of boots and a comfortable backpack. Good footgear is essential for an enjoyable hike in the mountains.

• Be prepared. Even if you are just day hiking, be sure to bring a change of dry clothes, plenty of water, flashlight and map and compass. Don’t try to cover too much in one day; mountain distances can be deceptive.