Fall is a lovely time of year. The weather becomes cooler, pumpkin patches and apple orchards are bustling with activity, and the leaves turn from green to vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red. Watching the leaves change, otherwise known as leaf peeping, is a great way to get outdoors. Luckily, in the MidCoast, there is no shortage of trails that get you out to experience the magic of fall. Our staff have selected five local trails, most of which can be found in Map Adventures' Camden and Rockland Hiking and Biking Maps!
Mount Battie | 1.2 - 3.0 miles | Camden, ME
There are so many ways to enjoy the stunning views of Mt. Battie has to offer! In the image above there are three different ways to reach the summit. The solid red line (1.2 miles) is the Mount Battie Trail and starts at a small parking lot off of Megunticook Avenue. It is a short but steep climb to the summit, but there are many ledges that provide stunning views of Camden and the islands beyond. The dotted red line is Mt. Battie Road (3.0 miles). It is a paved toll road and a community favorite as it has frequent views of Penobscot Bay. You can hike, bike, or drive up this road to reach the summit. The dotted pink line (2.4 miles) is a way to reach the summit via the Carriage Road Trail. The parking area for the trail head is off Route 52 and takes you up Mount Battie from behind. At the summit of Mount Battie is a stone tower that was erected in 1921 to honor those who served in World War I.
Map Adventures rates Mount Battie Road as Moderate and the Mount Battie Trail as Difficult.
Maiden's Cliff Trail | 2.2 miles | Camden, ME
Starting at Barrett's Cove off of Route 52, Maiden's Cliff is a steep climb that rewards you with stunning views of Lake Megunticook below. Atop the summit is a large metal cross in honor of Elenora French, who passed in 1864. Hikers can descend the same way they came or explore the connecting Ridge Trail that travels along the Millerite Ledges.
Map Adventures rates this trail as Difficult.
Little River Trail | 5 miles | Belfast, ME
Image courtesy of Maine Trail Finder.
The Little River Trail is a five-mile trail with multiple trail heads, so you can explore different sections at your own pace or hike it as one continuous trail. The South Trailhead is at the Belfast Water District building off of Route 1. There are also trail heads on Perkins Road, Route 52 by the YMCA, and the Hutchinson Center on Route 3. As the name suggests, the trail follows the Little River and the two Belfast Reservoirs. This trail is great for birding and seeing other wildlife.
Maine Trail Finder rates this trail as Moderate.
Beech Hill Preserve | 2.7 miles | Rockport, ME
Beech Hill Preserve has three miles of rambling trails that take you through grasslands, blueberry fields, and forests. At the top of the hill is Beech Nut, a stone hut built in 1914 that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The open fields give you sweeping views of Penobscot Bay. It is also a great spot for birding, so don't forget those binoculars!
Map Adventures rates this trail as Moderate.
Georges Highland Path/Spruce Mountain | 3.3 miles | Rockport, ME
George's Highland Path, with a detour to Spruce Mountain, is a 3.3 mile one-way trail that gives a picturesque view of the surrounding area. There are two possible trail heads for this route, one on Route 17 and one on Mt. Pleasant Street. The trail will be rugged with steep elevation gain as you go up the mountain, but the view will be worth it!
Map Adventures rates this trail system as Easy to Moderate.