Holden MaineHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Holden, Maine.
1. Hart Farm Trails
WOODLAND AND FARM TRAILS
Hart Farm Trails offer hikers access to 157 acres of preserved land, blending forested paths and open farmland. The area is protected by the Holden Land Trust and Maine Farmland Trust, ensuring a balance of conservation and recreation. Visitors enjoy peaceful woodland walks and glimpses of rural Maine landscapes.
2. Holden Community Learning Trails
FAMILY-FRIENDLY WOODLAND LOOPS
The Holden Community Learning Trails feature easy to moderate loops through scenic woods with interpretive panels that highlight local flora and fauna. The Washburn trail is accessible to people of all abilities, while other trails provide more natural and occasionally rugged terrain. Benches along the trails invite visitors to relax and enjoy nature, and the network connects to the adjacent Red Barn Campground.
3. Fields Pond Audubon Center
NATURE SANCTUARY BY THE POND
Fields Pond Audubon Center is a 229-acre sanctuary on the shores of Fields Pond, offering a network of well-marked nature trails. Highlights include a 300-foot boardwalk through a floodplain swamp and scenic loops like the Lake Shore and Beechwood Trails. The trails are open year-round from dawn to dusk and provide excellent wildlife observation opportunities.
4. Bald Mountain Loop
SUMMIT VIEWS NEAR TOWN
The Bald Mountain Loop in nearby Dedham offers hikers a moderately challenging route leading to panoramic views from the summit. The trail is popular for both its natural beauty and its relatively short, rewarding climb. Hikers are treated to expansive vistas of the surrounding forests and lakes.
5. Orono Bog Boardwalk
ACCESSIBLE BOG EXPLORATION
The Orono Bog Boardwalk features a one-mile boardwalk looping through a unique bog ecosystem in Orono, just a short drive from Holden. Interpretive signs educate visitors about bog plants, wildlife, and wetland ecology along the way. The path is fully accessible, making it a favorite for families and nature enthusiasts.
6. Eagle Bluff North Summit
CLIFFTOP PANORAMAS
Eagle Bluff North Summit is a well-known destination for hikers seeking dramatic granite cliffs and sweeping views. The hike up is moderately challenging, with some steep sections leading to the open summit. The impressive panoramic vistas make it a popular spot for photography and picnicking.
7. Mariaville Falls Preserve
WATERFALL AND FOREST WALKS
Mariaville Falls Preserve offers peaceful hiking through lush forests with the highlight being a picturesque waterfall along the East Branch Union River. Trails are easy to moderate, allowing visitors of most skill levels to enjoy the serene landscape. The preserve is ideal for nature observation and photography.
8. Bangor City Forest
EXTENSIVE URBAN TRAILS
The Bangor City Forest is an expansive network of multi-use trails just west of Holden, providing over 680 acres of woods, streams, and wetlands. Trails vary from wide gravel paths to narrower forest routes, suitable for walking, running, and biking. The forest is open year-round and offers easy access for residents and visitors.
9. Great Pond Mountain Wildlands
WILDERNESS EXPLORATION AREA
Great Pond Mountain Wildlands encompasses over 4,500 acres of protected wilderness, featuring multiple hiking trails through forests, along streams, and up rocky ridges. The varied terrain provides options for short walks or longer, more challenging hikes to scenic mountain viewpoints. Wildlife can often be spotted in this tranquil, undeveloped setting.
10. Perch Pond Woodlot Trails
FOREST LOOPS BY THE WATER
Perch Pond Woodlot Trails offer quiet forested paths bordering lovely Perch Pond in Old Town. The trail network includes several loop options with easy-to-moderate grades, suitable for families and casual hikers. Visitors appreciate the peaceful woods and opportunities for birdwatching along the pond's shoreline.