Trails

Understanding Trail Difficulty Ratings

Thanks to Somerset Woods Trustees for creating a trail difficulty rating system and working to post signs at all trailheads! Questions? Contact them here: https://www.somersetwoodstrustees.org/contact-us

HIKING: Trail has paved, consistent with gentle slopes (avg <5%, max 10%) and no steps. It includes frequent resting intervals and is generally under 3 mile.

BIKING: Trail is wide (72" +), with a consistent surface, mild slopes (avg <5%, max 10%), and no obstacles or technical features.

HIKING: Trail has natural surfaces with minor disruptions, mild or short moderate climbs (avg <10%, max 15%), and low steps (4-6")(extending no more than 25'). Resting intervals are common.

BIKING: Trail is relatively wide (36"+), with firm, stable, and consistent surfaces. It has mild climbs (avg <5%, max 15%), and avoidable obstacles. There are no technical trail features.

HIKING: Trail features varied surfaces require attention to footing, short sections of moderate to steep climbs (avg <15%, max 15%), and low steps (4-6") (extending no more than 50'). Resting intervals may be present.

BIKING: Trail is 24" wide, stable but variable, with moderate climbs (avg <10%, max 15%), avoidable obstacles and unavoidable obstacles under 8". Technical trail features (TTFs) are under 24'.

HIKING: Trail has varied surfaces with many rocks and roots, moderate to steep climbs (avg <15%, max 15% or greater) and varied step heights and lengths.

BIKING: Trail is 12" wide and widely variable, potentially including loose rock; features moderate to steep climbs (avg <15%, max 15% or greater), avoidable obstacles, and unavoidable obstacles under 15". TTFs are under 24". Short sections may be more challenging than the criteria.

HIKING: Trail has varied and unpredictable surfaces with rocks, roots, scree, and/or slab, steep climbs (avg 15%, max 15% or greater) and long step sections with varied heights.

BIKING: Trail is 6" wide and variable, possibly including loose rock; moderate to steep climbs (avg <20%, max 15% or greater), with avoidable obstacles and unavoidable obstacles under 15". TTFs are under 48". Long sections may be more challenging than the criteria.

Bald Mountain Twp.

Bald Mountain ◆

Also known as Boundary Bal Mountain, this challenging hike boasts multiple summits for 360 degree views of Moxie Pond, Bald Mountain Pond, Mountain Ranges, Moosehead, a small waterfall, and more! Explore just one of the sections of the Appalachian Trail here in Somerset County on your way to the highest peak between Monson and the Kennebec River.

Distance: 13.2 miles, round trip

Surface: Dirt/Forest Floor, Rock/Ledge

Pets: Allowed

Address: Parking area on Troutdale Rd. access to the Trailhead just down the road (Brown and White MATC trail sign)

https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/appalachian-trail-moxie-bald

Canaan

Lake George Regional Park 🟢🟦

Lake George Regional Park is a day-use lakeside park. Easily accessible off Route 2, each year a combination of roughly 20,000 community members and visitors use the lake and its surrounding 320 acres of land.

Activities, East Entrance: Hiking/biking trails, boat launch, fishing, swimming, pet friendly swimming, picnic area, and Move More Kids story walk.

Activities, West Entrance: Hiking trails, fishing, swimming, and picnic area.

Distance: 10.10 miles, Network

Surface: Dirt/Forest Floor

Pets: Allowed

Address:

*ADA Accessible (park and fishing access on east side)

https://lakegeorgepark.org/

Concord TWP

Youngs Preserve 🟢

More than 200 wooded acres on the side of Fletcher Mountain. Trails lead to a beaver pond and along a mountain stream. Per the donor's wishes, this property is managed as a wildlife sanctuary, with no hunting, fishing or trapping. You can access the Trailhead parking on Fletcher Mountain Rd.

Note: Additional trails have been built but not yet added to Maine Trail Finder.

Activities: Hiking

Distance: 0.30 miles, Round Trip

Surface: Dirt/Forest Floor, Grass

Pets: Allowed

https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/young-trail-somerset-woods

East Madison

Jacobs Pine 🟦

This 42 acre wood lot offers multiple loops like; Pine Loop, Deer Run, and Fox Run. Various trees, plant life and a vernal pool (seasonal pond) provide a variety of habitat for wildlife.

Activities: Hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing

Distance: 1.6 miles, Network

Surface: Dirt/Forest Floor

Pets: Allowed

https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/jacobs-pines

Fairfield

Good Will-Hinkley Trails 🟢

Four season opportunities for enjoyable walks to explore the Maine forest habitat. Along the trails the whole family can enjoy bird watching, spring flowers, fall colors and wetland creatures. This trail system also offers multiple field-stone monuments dedicated to influential outdoor educators/enthusiasts. visitors can park at multiple locations as there are trail heads at the Maine Academy of Natural Sciences, side-street parking on Green rd, and the L.C. Bates Museum.

Activities: Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

Distance: 3.3 miles, Network

Surface: Dirt/Forest Floor

Pets: Allowed

https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/good-will-hinckley

The Forks

Mosquito Mountain ◆

Despite its name, this is a wonderful mountain hike with excellent views of Moxie Lake, Mosquito Pond, the Kennebec Valley, and distant mountains.

Activities: Hiking

Distance: 3 miles, round trip

Surface: Dirt/Forest Floor

Pets: Allowed

https://mainebyfoot.com/mosquito-mountain-the-forks/

Madison

The Historic Pines Trail 🟢

This one mile trail is an easy walk along-side the Kennebec River providing untouched scenic views. The trail leads down to the river where there is access for canoe/kayak and a great fly fishing spot. The picnic area provides a serene place for outside gatherings and is handicapped accessible. Unique site markers and the Father Rasle monument give a brief history of the site.

Activities: Hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

Distance: 0.8 miles, One way

Surface: Dirt/Forest Floor, Gravel/Crushed Stone, Boardwalk/Bog Bridging

Pets: Allowed

https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/historic-pines-trail

Preble Ave Trails 🟢

A town owned and maintained facility that offers multiple baseball & softball fields, a football field, walking trails, and green spaces. Their walking trails weave around the sports field and through wooded areas and can be accessed at any of their parking locations. This location is also home to a permanent story walk, built by the SAHS Vocational students, that have multiple stories that get swapped out throughout the year making this a great family activity spot!

Activities: Hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

Distance:

Surface: Dirt/Forest Floor, Grass, Gravel

Pets: Allowed

Map of fields: https://www.madisonmaine.com/images/Prebleavetrails.pdf

Town of Madison: https://www.madisonmaine.com/index.php/community/parks-recreation

Weston Woods and Waters 🟢🟦

This 300 acre property offers multiple trailheads on Weston Avenue, at Madison Junior Senior High School, and Nathan Street boat launch, providing opportunities for different length hikes. This trail features more than 2 miles' frontage on the Kennebec River, wooded area, views of farmland, and a historic school house.

Activities: Hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

Distance: 8.3 miles, Network

Surface: Dirt/Forest Floor, Grass, Pavement, Sand

Pets: Allowed

Trail map: https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/weston-woods-and-waters

Norridgewock

Larone Woods

This Land Preserve is roughly 75 acres and holds some simple hiking trails that lead to Martin Stream. Trails are marked by a Somerset Woods Trustees Diamond Sign. You can access these trails on Covell rd. in Fairfield.

Trail Maps will be genterated soon. Please contact Somerset Woods Trustees for more information.

Executive Director Jennifer Brockway: Jennifer@SomersetWoodsTrustees.org

Stewardship Coordinator Rachel Cheatham-McFadden: Rachel@SomersetWoodsTrustees.org

Skowhegan

Canaan Bog Preserve 🟦

*winter access only*

This rich wetland preserve offers upland woods, wetlands and an open bog. The property is challenging to access except on frozen ground. Winter trails are seasonally marked for skiing and snowshoeing. Map panels are installed at the trailhead and at the two major intersections. The trail crosses through shallow wet areas in the utility corridor; stay alert on warmer days to avoid wet skis! Trailhead parking is located at the utility corridor on East River Road.

Activities: Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

Distance: 1.8 miles, Loop

Surface: Dirt/Forest Floor, Grass

Pets: Allowed

Address: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1jSgVl-kEjOLliCkqs_QY2UB5t1mqRTM&ll=44.84570618712033%2C-69.7757667&z=10

https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/canaan-bog

Coburn Park 🟢

With over 12 acres of land, this park offers opportunities for all kinds of activities! Walk or bike along their paved paths, capture scenic pictures of the Kennebec Gorge and eddy, bring the family for a picnic around the pond, and so much more!

Activities: Hiking, biking, picnics

Distance: 0.6 miles, Network

Surface: Pavement, grassy open areas

Pets: Allowed

*ADA Accessible

History of park: https://www.skowhegan.org/DocumentCenter/View/20/Coburn-Park?bidId=

Trail Map: https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/coburn-park-skowhegan

Coburn Woods and Taylor Field 🟢🟦

Coburn Woods is named in honor of Louise Helen Coburn, founder and first president of the Somerset Woods Trustees who donated the original parcel in 1927. The Richard C. Taylor and Catherine T. Taylor Field was purchased in 2012. At Taylor Field you will find a small heirloom apple orchard, and grain plots grown by Maine Grain Alliance.

Trail signage, kiosk and maps were updated in 2022 by Eagle Scout Connor Files of Skowhegan.

Activities: Hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

Distance: 6 miles, Network

Surface: Dirt/Forest Floor, Gravel/Crushed Stone, Grass

Pets: Allowed

https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/coburn-woods-and-taylor-field

Eaton Kennebec River 🟢

Located on East River Road, offers a flat walk to the Kennebec, under towering hemlocks.

Activities: Hiking

Distance: 0.8 miles, Round Trip

Surface: Dirt/Forest Floor

Pets: Allowed

https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/eaton-kennebec-river-preserve

Eaton Ridge 🟦

A small trail network offers slight hills under the tall pines and along a stream.

Activities: Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

Distance: 0.9 miles, Network

Surface: Dirt/Forest Floor

Pets: Allowed

https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/eaton-ridge

Gorge Overlook and Debe River Trail ⚪

With 800 feet of river frontage, the 5.8 acre Gorge Overlook parcel, provides outstanding scenic views and provides access to the river for recreational activities such as biking, hiking and picnicking. The River Walk, an all purpose ADA accessible walkway, was completed in 2012 and runs from Mt Pleasant Street (near the walking bridge to town) to the waste water treatment plant on Joyce Street where it connects with the canoe portage site, the Philbrick Trails, and the River's Edge Bike Park.

Activities: Hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

Distance: 0.5 miles, One way

Surface: Pavement

Pets: Allowed

*ADA Accessible

https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/debe-park-river-walk

Marti Stevens Trail 🟢

Located behind the Marti Stevens Learning Center, the Marti Stevens Trail drops down to the Kennebec River and follows it upstream providing great views of the river before proceeding back up the hill towards the road. Along the way, watch for the remains of the old ski jump, or search for the Marti Stevens Learning Center geocache. Off-trail hiking is permitted, but use caution: scrap metal leftover from an old dairy farm may be hazardous.

Activities: Hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing

Distance: 0.5 miles, Loop

Surface: Dirt/Forest Floor, Grass

Pets: Allowed

https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/marti-stevens-trail

Parsons Family Preserve 🟢

Activities: Hiking

Distance: 0.5 miles, Round Trip

Surface: Dirt/Forest Floor, Grass

Pets: Allowed

https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/parsons-family-preserve

Philbrick Trails 🟢🟦

This 34-acre scenic parcel features both upland and riparian wildlife habitat as well as approximately 1,200 feet of river frontage. This property provides a network of public trails designed for non-motorized use in partnership with the Town of Skowhegan. Trailhead parking is on Joyce Street.

Activities: Hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

Distance: 1.2 miles, Network

Surface: Dirt/Forest Floor

Pets: Allowed

https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/philbrick-trail

River's Edge Bike Park 🟢

The Skowhegan River's Edge Bike Park is a short, machine-built lollipop loop through the woods in Debe Park along the western shore of the Kennebec River. There are multiple stations with optional boardwalks and bridges to test the skills of more advanced riders. The downhills have both dirt and boardwalk berms to make for fun, swoopy descents.

Activities: Biking

Distance: 0.5 miles, Round Trip

Surface: Dirt/Forest Floor, Boardwalk/Bog Bridging

Pets: Not Allowed

https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/skowhegan-rivers-edge-bike-park

Skowhegan Bog Trail 🟢

The trails by the high school can be accessed near the soccer fields or from Bloomfield Elementary School. These trails follow mowed paths in the fields and weave in and out of the woods. The Bog Trail leads to a wetland that is great for wildlife viewing. Deer, rabbits, turkey, and fisher have been seen along these trails. In the winter, the high school physical education department offers snowshoeing on a series of snowshoe trails.

Activities: Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

Distance: 0.9 miles, Loop

Surface: Dirt/Forest Floor, Grass

Pets: Allowed

https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/skowhegan-bog-trail

Wesserunsett Stream Preserve 🟦

47 acres through varied terrain with access to and views of Wesserunsett Stream. Trailhead parking at the end of Evergreen Dr, off Robin Court.

Activities: Hiking, snowshoeing

Distance: 1.2 miles, Network

Surface: Dirt/Forest Floor

Pets: Allowed

https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/wesserunsett-stream-preserve

Yankee Wood Lot 🟢🟦

A short, wooded nature trail offers a quick relaxing walk with an opportunity to learn more about Maine's woods. The trails cross through a diversity of forest habitats as well as open hay fields and are suitable for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter. The Interior Loop, blazed in blue, is regularly maintained year-round.

Activities: Hiking

Distance: 1.9 miles, Network

Surface: Dirt/Forest Floor, Grass, Boardwalk/Bog Bridging

Pets: Allowed

https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/yankee-woodlot

Solon

Robbin's Hill - Wes Baker Trails 🟢

Walking trails wind through open meadow on the broad crest of the hill and dip down into the forested section of the property. At the top of the hill, two picnic shelters provide a lunch site with a view and several picnic tables and benches scattered through the upper field give visitors room to find their own space.

Activities: Hiking

Distance: 1.4 miles, Network

Surface: Dirt/Forest Floor, Gravel/Crushed Stone, Grass

Pets: Allowed

*ADA Accessible

https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/robbins-hill

Parkman Hill Farm 🟢

One of Somerset Woods Trustees newest properties, Parkman Hill Farm offers Trails, Exploration, and Event opportunities. The trailhead is located at the Northeast meadow adjacent to the Farm House boasting scenic views of the property, the sprawling woods of Solon, and if the weather is right, Lake Wesserunsett

Activities: Hiking

Surface: Dirt/Forest Floor, Grass

Pets: Allowed

Parkman Hill Farm info: https://www.somersetwoodstrustees.org/parkman-hill-farm

Trail map: https://mainebyfoot.com/parkman-hill-farm-solon/

Have an adventure to share? Send it to us directly through our Contact Us Page and join our Facebook Group to post your story and hear from others! Tag Somerset Public Health and add your location so other explorers can follow in your footsteps. Let’s inspire each other to get outside and stay active!

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