Beautiful state park with great views on many trails. The trails are pretty flat and not difficult,…read moreand they are very shaded, so it's a very relaxing set of hikes. Looks like a great spot for a picnic as well.

This is a great little state park close to Portland and Freeport with trails that go along the…read moreocean, through the woods and along the Harraseeket River. Nice picnic spots and places to sit and admire the view. This is a popular park in Summer, especially in nice weather, so parking could be a challenge. If you're in the area, definitely worth a visit. Don't forget to leave your money in the box at the entrance of you don't have a Maine State Park pass so we can keep state parks like this open and maintained.

Very underrated from the information we found online but we were in the area so decided to go. I'm…read moreso glad we did !! Beautiful walkway along the ocean, cliff top area. It's not a very long walk but we had kids with us and very easy for little legs.

If you are on Bailey Island I recommend a stop at Giant's Stairs Trail. There are directional…read moresigns to get you there once you are fairly close. I parked by the McIntosh Lot Preserve where there is a small parking area on the side of the road. Stay on the path and be respectful most of the area is private property. The rock formations are magnificent, i was in awe of what I saw. Pictures cannot do it justice.

I don't know what it's like to be a fairy or a gnome, and I'm often jealous of their woodland based…read morelifestyles (houses made in and of trees, drinking water out of flowers, riding on the back of squirrels... you know what I'm talking about). Widegon Cove Trail, however, has given me a sneak peek into that world. This unexpectedly beautiful path is a wonderfully maintained loop that cuts through thick, tall forest and circles past a cove with lovely pine tree and water views regardless of tide (although low tide offers more bird watching). It's well marked, and the trail itself is charming...at some points the ground is lined on either side with fallen trees to keep you on the path, parallel planks, and stone walkways too. Want to stop and take it all in? There are many wooden benches to stop and take it all in from. Does this sound like every other trail? Maybe. But there's really something charming and whimsical about this particular one. I don't know if it's the variety of trees, the ravine like parts, the moss and mushrooms, the abundance of wildlife, but I felt like I spent my entire walk (which was admittedly short; the whole loop is maybe half a mile?) smiling... and expecting Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather to come out of nowhere and begin singing to me.

Follow this well maintained trail through woodlands to a beautiful view of Widgeon Cove…read more The parking lot is on the left heading when heading out of Brunswick and has enough space for four cars. The dirt was still loose near the road and I needed a slight angle to get out of the parking lot. There is the another one of the HHLT trails just before you get to this trail. If you are looking to lengthen your hike, you can walk or drive up to the other parking lot to check out the other trail. The following is taken from: www.hhltmaine.org/conserved-land/public-access/widgeon-cove-trail/ Ownership: Harpswell Heritage Land Trust trail on privately owned land Features: hiking, scenic view, benches, dogs allowed Length: .6 mile loop with cutoff trail Difficulty: moderate Hiking Time: 30 minutes Click here to download a trail map and brochure. Description: This half-mile loop trail is the perfect way to take in beautiful Widgeon Cove on Harpswell Sound. The path winds through woodlands, across ravines and along the shoreline where there is a dramatic view of the cove. At this scenic viewpoint, visitors can enjoy a picnic with family and friends, take pictures or just sit quietly to observe waterfowl, wading birds and other wildlife that frequent the cove. The Widgeon Cove Trail is part of the 88-acre Dunning Farm Conservation Easement. This privately owned property will remain forest and working farmland forever. Directions: From the intersection of Rt 123 and Bath Rd at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, follow Rt 123 south for 7.4 miles. Immediately after the Wilson's Cove Trail parking lot on the right, look for the Widgeon Cove Trail parking lot on the left. Visitor Guidelines: Carry in, carry out. Pedestrian use only. No overnight parking. No open fires. No camping. Dogs must be on a leash. Carry out all dog waste. Please respect wildlife, neighbors and other users. This trail is on private property. Please respect the owner's privacy. Power driven mobility devices are not allowed.

Walking along the Cathance River reminded me a lot of Swift River in the Kancamagus - a stunning…read morehike through the forest alongside a rushing body of water (stretches of which include Class IV rapids). So much of it felt so organic too - rocks and tree roots making paths and stairs through the gently winding quiet woods. It's well marked, the directional signs are in the perfect places, and the trails are all extremely well maintained. What a fantastic way to spend an autumnal morning - had a picnic on some of the rocks that were jutting out into the river with the sun pouring down around me. For sure the way to go for maximum water views, with the most privacy, is: park at the Ecology Center, walk down to it and hook a left on Highland Trail (blue), which connects to Cathance River Trail (white), take Cathance River Trail to Rapids Trail (yellow), Rapids Trail back to Highland Trail and the Ecology Center. I say this because... You should know that this hiking area is basically within a housing development on a golf course and is currently undergoing a lot of construction on the eastern side of the trail system (anything around and beyond the actual Hiker Parking area - didn't see the wooden bridge near Old Quarry Road or the Clay Brook bridge to Head of Tide Park because I wasn't allowed to access them when I came). Also, you can hear the traffic from 295 pretty clearly throughout most of the trail system. I didn't know either of these things, so both were a bit off-putting. As an aside, I was yelled at twice: once by a golfer and once by some lady in her backyard who could see me through the trees. Both wanted to know what I was doing, why I was doing it, and where my destination was (not even kidding). It seems to me there needs to be bit more communication with these folks about the trail system here - that people actually come to hike them. Until that happens, my advice is to avoid anything and everything to do with the heath (all trails to it and around it since this is where golfing and people's backyards seem to be). I'm looking forward to coming back when construction is done and the area is a less confusing and awkward place to navigate as a hiker. But I will stick to the trails near the water!

This was a beautiful snowshoe hike. It's a great way to clear your mind on a Sunday afternoon…read more Maybe 4 miles of trails if you want to do it all in one day. Well marked and they have maps.

Explored Skolfield Shores Preserve in January and it was absolutely breathtaking. I drove up from…read morethe Mississippi Gulf Coast (about 24 hours) just adventuring - as soon as I laid eyes on the end of the trail I was walking, I thought, "Now this... is what I came all this way for!" (even though this stop was a random passing selection off the map of my route). If my phone was not shutting down due to the below freezing temperatures, and if I'd been able to feel my toes, nose, and fingers longer, I could have wandered the area all day. So happy to see such a well-kept, beautiful piece of nature.

For me, this is a destination walking trail and one I'm excited to check out again and again…read morethroughout the seasons. So if you're in the Brunswick area, be sure to make your way to Skolfield Shores Preserve - it's got a little bit of everything that makes Maine's notable natural world so great: thick forest, salt marshes, fields, ocean views, wildlife, Parking is in front of the Merruconnegan Farm (when you see the large Harpswell Heritage Land Trust kiosk, you're in the right place!) - note that this is a working farm, so be thoughtful of their privacy and stick to the trail (which is extremely well marked). The trail itself is super accessible and sort of shaped like a big figure eight (Hemlock Loop with a wooden bridge that connects to Merrucoonegan Loop) with a spur trail beforehand that leads down to a beautiful meadow, the shore, and a historic boathouse... which is a dramatic, sweeping, stunning site straight off a postcard for the state of Maine. It overlooks Middle Bay Cove and couldn't be more peaceful or lovely. Sit and stay a while; enjoy the incredible birds here (osprey, meadowlarks, eagles), the hermit crabs that apparently come out in spring, the remoteness, and the very cool broken shell "beach" area. Afterwards, continue your walk, keep an eye out for hen of the woods mushrooms, and enjoy the scenic views along the way. Please, please, please practice "carry in, carry out", be careful of tickets, and remember to wear blaze orange during hunting seasons.

The bridge slightly sways more then swings. It is a pretty sight to see. The walking trail however…read morewasn't as impressive as I thought it would be. I probably won't come back again even though it was nice to see the location for a short time.

Maine, especially in the Fall season, has some beautiful scenery that can be viewed if you take the…read moretime to park and walk to some of these areas. The Androscoggin Riverwalk is a good size walk and is well lit for those who prefer to walk late at night, especially if you work all day. You can access it from several points including adjacent to TD Bank, at Great Falls Plaza area, across the street by Grittys and down by the two parks along Main Street. The start of the Riverwalk is within easy walking distance of the Hilton Garden and on the other side of the river is the Hampton Inn. If you feel adventurous you can head towards the falls and there is a trailer that leads to an observation deck that overlooks the falls themselves. On a day where the locks are open, you may get some over-spray, but the observation deck is where they launch the fireworks from every 4th of July. The path does connect with the railroad bridge bringing you back to the Lewiston side at Rail Road park where they have concerts once in a while as well as the yearly Great Falls Balloon Festival. The next time I get down the Riverwalk, I will be sure to get some photos and post them of some of the views you will experience.

There's quite a few spots similar to Maquoit Bay Conservation Land in the Brunswick/Harpswell area…read more-- small areas where you can park, then walk a straight path into the beautiful Maine woods before suddenly the trail abruptly ends at a cliff or crag overlooking the ocean. Always impressive and always offering stunning views of our unique coastline, but *because* there are similar spots that I discovered before coming to this one, I'm just not as impressed. Yes, the woods are beautiful in all seasons - so many shades of green in spring, and I imagine in the fall it's equally as breathtaking. It also offers a scenic vista of Maquoit Bay (with its salt marshes and clam flats) from the Rocky Point promontory. However, I personally like Wilson's Cove Trail (https://www.yelp.com/biz/wilsons-cove-trail-harpswell-2) more; and, similarly, Widgeon Cove Trail (https://www.yelp.com/biz/widgeon-cove-trail-harpswell) which are both just up the coast a bit and offer comparable experiences.

Great spot near downtown Brunswick for an easy 1.5 mile round trip hike through a forest and…read moreculminating in a beautiful view of Maquoit Bay. Great for kids and walking your dog (on a leash!!)

The Captain Alfred Skolfield Nature Preserve is an unassuming little spot that's nearly impossible…read moreto find (I think I would have had more luck accidentally stumbling upon it than actively seeking it out). Basically, if you're looking to come here, find Sea Grass Farm Road in Brunswick. The preserve is diagonally across the street (look for old school wooden sign). Although it's overgrown, there's a small area immediately off the road for a few cars. What I liked the most about this particular trail is that it feels a little forgotten about, like nature is taking it back slowly but surely (there's even a sign near the property line that reads "human presence is a disruption and destructive to the wildlife here") - and that's what makes it so charming. The Brunswick Topsham Land Trust has done an exceptional job at conservation here (while it's taken care of, it still has an air of genuine wilderness): it's an easily accessible, easily traversable mile (with a smaller loop to the left that connects to a larger loop on the right) through forest adjacent to the salt marshes of Middle Bay Cove and Harpswell Cove. There's a wooden bridge to cross and curved wooden seats near the water, but be sure to stay on the trails - poison ivy grows rampant here.

A tucked away little trail with a tiny grassy parking lot that is easy to miss. The sign is nestled…read moreinto the entrance so even that can go unnoticed. A good marker is that Sea Glass Farm road is directly across from the parking. This trail is two little loops that equal to a total of .7 miles but boasts scenic views of Middle Bay half way around each. With little benches to sit and relax how could you not want to stop and take in the marsh air.