Hiking + Swimming
Castine and the surrounding area feature wonderful opportunities to explore and enjoy nature.
WALKING and HIKING
AROUND CASTINE
With wide streets, beautiful gardens, and famous elm trees, Castine provides a lovely backdrop for a short or long stroll. Add in the hill from the water to Battle Avenue, and you can experience a good hike with your scenery.
WITHERLE WOODS in CASTINE
Part of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, the 193–acres of Witherle Woods features more than four miles of trails, gradually winding through the changing forests of this coastal preserve. You can see a map here, noting trails, uphill elevations, and historical sites. If already in town, you can easily access it on foot; the map also notes parking locations. The preserve is open to the public during daylight hours throughout the year. Great for dog walks; just be careful during tick season!
BLUE HILL HERITAGE TRUST
The Blue Hill Heritage Trust is a conservation organization working to protect about 12,000 acres of land. It has more than 31 miles of trails, across several towns. You can see all trails by town here. You can find more information about exploring the area with dogs here.
:: Blue Hill
Blue Hill Mountain – Seven trails, various difficulty levels
Heart of Blue Hill – Designed for accessibility and to provide a pleasant path off the busy roads
Kingdom Woods – 800 acres, three miles of trails
Peters Brook & Penny’s Preserve – Five miles of trails, including beautiful waterfall
:: Brooklin
Hundred Acre Wood – 1/2 mile accessibility trail, 1.7 mile wooded path
:: Brooksville
Ferry Landing – 23 acres, one mile path to the canoe/kayak launch (possible strong currents – be careful!)
John B. Mountain – 38 undeveloped acres, with steep and rocky sections
Snow Natural – 40–acre parcel with 2,550+ feet of shorefront on the Bagaduce River
Meadow Brook – Mill Stream – 1/3 mile trail, multiple accessibility features
:: Castine
Greenbie – 43 acres with 1/2 mile walking trail
Hatch Cove – A significant portion of the fields on either side of Rt. 166 just north of the British Canal with a lovely walking path through woods and field
:: Penobscot
Community Forest at Wallamatogus Mountain – 336 acres, two miles of roads through blueberry fields
Weinland Nature – 40+ acres, last cut in the 1970s
:: Sedgwick
Cooper Farm at Caterpillar Hill – 134 acres, upper blueberry fields and lower mossy forest
Snow’s Cove – Two trails, totaling just under two miles
Bluff Head – One mile trail, panoramic view at the bluff
:: Surry
Carter Nature – 1.5 miles of trails, three sections
Furth Wildlife – 1/2 mile trail that splits into two, for an additional one mile each
Patten Stream – 41 acres of conservation property, two loops of total 1.5 mile distance
Meadowbrook Forest – 2,030 acres with a five mile loop
Surry Forest – 2,100 acres with nine miles of logging roads
GREAT POND MOUNTAIN CONSERVATION TRUST (GPMCT)
GPMCT preserves the Wildlands: 5,000 acres of mountains, woods, and water managed for wildlife habitat, sustainable forestry, and community trails. The 5100-acre Wildlands preserve encompasses small mountain peaks, numerous streams and frontage on the Dead River and Hothole Pond. A network of gravel roads are open to walking, running, biking, horseback riding and snowmobiling. Foot and bike trails, easy to strenuous, will bring you to special views and other places off the beaten path. Access is free. You can find a map and information about trailheads here.
HOLBROOK ISLAND SANCTUARY
An amazing network of old roads, paths, and animal trails that lead to the exploration of the shoreline, marshes, ponds and forests. It will never be altered by modern park facilities and management techniques. It spans 1,230 acres on the mainland and 115 acres on Holbrook Island. You can visit the wonderful Friends website here; the park trail map notes distances, times, and levels of difficulty; the bird list is here; and you can find great answers to questions here, including information about water accessibility.
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SWIMMING
WADSWORTH COVE BEACH aka THE BACK SHORE
The “back shore” is the local term for an area of Castine with a Maine beach and a natural swimming pool, which varies with the tide. Parking is available; just enter Wadsworth Cove Beach in the GPS.
HOLBROOK ISLAND SANCTUARY
There are two beaches located at the end of Indian Bar Road of Holbrook, just past the Park headquarters: one adjacent to and visible from the road on the east and a second a short walk to the west. Swimming is also available off of Holbrook Island. You can see a reference map here.
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NATIONAL PARK
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
Located about an hour’s drive from Castine, Acadia National Park is considered the crown jewel of the North Atlantic Coast with 27 miles of historic motor roads, 158 miles of hiking trails, and 45 miles of carriage roads. Acadia is extremely popular, particularly during the months of June through September, and planning is strongly encouraged to ensure your enjoyment and access to key attractions.
Some helpful Acadia resources:
:: Top 5 Things to Know before Visiting, including how to access Cadillac Mountain (advance registration REQUIRED)
:: History and General Information
:: Visit Maine
:: The Best Kept Secrets in Acadia National Park from the Appalachian Mountain Club