Carroll Plantation MaineHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Carroll Plantation, Maine.
1. Carroll Farm Trail
SCENIC WINERY PATH
Carroll Farm Trail offers a pleasant 0.2-mile path that leads from the Winery through open fields to a tree-shaded picnic area. From the picnic area, hikers can explore additional trails that lead into the woods to the north. This trail provides visitors with a peaceful outdoor experience combining vineyard views and forest exploration.
2. The Traveler Loop
THREE-PEAK MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE
The Traveler Loop is a challenging 10-mile combination of four trails that summits three major peaks with extended hiking above treeline. This strenuous trail requires a total elevation gain of 3,700 feet, just 400 feet less than a Katahdin hike on the Hunt Trail. Hikers should be well-prepared with at least 2 quarts of water per person and be ready for a beautiful but demanding experience with breathtaking views.
3. Pogy Notch Trail
GATEWAY TO TRAVELER LOOP
Pogy Notch Trail serves as the 1.5-mile starting point for the famous Traveler Loop in Baxter State Park. The trail begins at South Branch Pond Campground, which is best accessed via the Matagamon Gate at the northeast corner of the park. Hikers follow this relatively gentle trail before connecting to the more challenging Center Ridge Trail portion of the loop.
4. North Traveler Trail
SPECTACULAR SUMMIT VIEWS
North Traveler Trail is a 2.6-mile trail that forms the final segment of the Traveler Loop in Baxter State Park. This trail summits North Traveler Mountain, offering spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. Hikers completing this section will have experienced all three peaks of the challenging Traveler Loop circuit.
5. Caribou Mountain Trail
STRENUOUS MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE
Caribou Mountain Trail offers a strenuous 6.2-mile round trip hike through Caribou and Mud Brook Trail. Located in Oxford County, this challenging trail rewards hikers with impressive views after a significant elevation gain. The trail is part of Maine's Natural Heritage Hikes program, which provides educational information about the ecological, geological, and cultural elements encountered along the way.
6. Cranberry Peak Trail
RUGGED BIGELOW RANGE HIKE
Cranberry Peak Trail is a strenuous 5.5-mile round trip hike on the Bigelow Range Trail in Franklin County. This challenging trail takes adventurous hikers through varied terrain to reach impressive summit views. The trail is recognized as part of Maine's Natural Heritage Hikes program, highlighting the area's natural and cultural significance.
7. Cutler Coast Black Point Brook Loop
COASTAL WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE
Cutler Coast Black Point Brook Loop is a strenuous 5.5-mile round trip trail located in Washington County. This trail offers hikers a remarkable coastal wilderness experience with dramatic ocean views and diverse ecosystems. The loop is part of Maine's Natural Heritage Hikes program, providing insights into the ecological importance of this scenic coastal area.
8. Megunticook Trail
CAMDEN HILLS CLASSIC
Megunticook Trail is a moderate 2.6-mile round trip hike located in Camden Hills State Park. This trail, combined with Adams Lookout Trail, offers hikers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape in Knox County. The trail is featured in Maine's Natural Heritage Hikes program, which provides educational narratives about the natural environments hikers pass through.
9. Maiden Cliff Trail
SCENIC CAMDEN OVERLOOK
Maiden Cliff Trail is a moderate 2-mile round trip hike in Camden Hills State Park that leads to stunning panoramic views. This relatively short but rewarding trail climbs to a dramatic cliff overlook in Knox County. The trail is part of Maine's Natural Heritage Hikes program, offering insights into the area's natural and cultural history.
10. Wentworth Location Ledges Trails
SCENIC RIVER VIEWS
Wentworth Location Ledges Trails offer interesting hiking options with beautiful views of the Dead and Swift Diamond Rivers. These shorter trails provide accessible hiking experiences that showcase the natural beauty of the area without requiring strenuous full-day commitments. Visitors can enjoy multiple ledge viewpoints by exploring these interconnected trail options.