Winter Hikes in Camden and Rockport

Yes, it’s cold, yes it’s icy, yes the trail markers are covered in snow, yes you still should get out and hike! I compiled a list here of “safe” winter hikes. The hikes have gradual slopes and little chance of getting lost even if you can’t see the markers. Good Luck and always bring a cellphone with you. Remember “humans were not meant to hibernate.” Dress warm, wool socks, baliclava, good gloves, & extra granola bars in your pockets!
Here is a link to the Camden Hills Hiking map: http://www.maine.gov/doc/parks/parksinfo/camden/camdentrails.pdf

Winter Hiking in Camden and Rockport
Mt. Battie Camden Hills – Camden Maine
Suggested hikes:
Bald Mountain – start #11 on map, this is a multi use road that has trail heads. The road is wide and gradual. Take Trail #8 Bald Rock. The hike on Bald rock is a gradual hike. Not too steep. The overlook at the top is the ocean. There is a neat old lean- to at the top, if you can find it.
Maiden’s Cliff Trail #1 on map.
Gradual slope. The entrance for this trail is not marked well. When you see the start of Lake Megunticook on Rt52, there will be parking on the right hand side. You will most likely see other cars parked there. This trail usually has walking sticks at the beginning that other hikers have left for each other. The overlook is of Lake Megunticook, in the winter it is neat to see the snow mobiles and ice houses (you can actually walk on the ice to the little islands in the lake). There is a big wooden cross at the top to commemorate a young girl that fell over the side, the Maiden that fell over the cliff.

MerrySpring Park, Camden: This field is very popular with cross country skiiers, but also with winter hikers. This is a favorite of locals, a hidden gem. Here is a link to the trails: http://www.merryspring.org/Parkmap/parkmap%20home.html

Rockport
Beauchamp Point:
Gradual and easy hike.
From Camden, make a left on Union Street, drive to the end, make left on Russell Avenue, make 1st right on Mechanic Street, drive to end and park. You will see signs for the trail. This trail is an old dirt road. It is wide and has views of Rockport Harbor. I usually walk for a while sit on some rocks overlooking the harbor and then walk back. Very casual and easy walk.

Beech Hill, Rockport
Take rt 1 to Beech Road. Make a left on Beech road, Prism Gallery restaurant is the landmark on RT 1 to turn rt. Drive about a mile, if you got to South Street, you went too far. There is a sign on Beech Street for parking. The hill is a big blueberry field, so there are very little trees. Beech hill has big open fields with views of the ocean. At the top of the hill there is a beautiful old stone tea house. The tea house is only open select times in spring, summer, and fall, but is wonderful to look at and look in the windows.
This hike is very gradual and easy. Article about this hike: http://new.bangordailynews.com/2011/03/02/outdoors/favorite-places-in-maine-beech-hill-rockport/

Camden Hills State Park

With miles of hiking trails and wonderful scenic vistas, Camden Hills State Park is a must visit attraction in Camden Maine.Walk through the backyard garden, onto Megunticook Street to begin your hike… Camden Hills State Park has 30 miles of hiking trails with access from five major trail heads; the Mt. Battie trail begins/ends at the end of Megunticook Street, which is the street that backs the Camden Windward House Bed & Breakfast, about a two and half block walk up to the trail. Camden Hills State Park is a low set of mountains in the towns of Camden, Rockport and Lincolnville. There are incredible views of Penobscot Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Parts of the trail are very steep. Skiing and snowmobiling trails also exist in the park.

There are 20 trails in Camden Hills State Park, each with varying difficulty:
1. Maiden Cliff Trail: Distance: 1 Mile Time: 1hr. Moderate difficulty
2. Scenic Trail: Distance: .8 Mile, Time: 45min. Moderate difficulty
3. Ridge Trail: Distance: 2.5 Mile, Time: 2.5hrs. Moderate difficulty
4. Zekes Trail: Distance: 1.3 Mile, Time: 1hr. Moderate difficulty
5. Cameron Mtn.: Trail: Distance: 1.9 Mile, Time: 1.5 hr. Easy difficulty
6. Sky Blue Trail: Distance: 1.5 Mile, Time: 1.5 hrs. Easy – Moderate difficulty
7. Frohock Mtn. : Distance: 1.9 Mile, Time: 2hrs. Moderate – strenous difficulty – Mt. Bike Trail
8. Bald Rock: Distance: .5 Mile, Time: 30min. Easy – Moderate difficulty
9. Slope: Distance: 1.5 Mile, Time: 1.5. Moderate – strenous difficulty
10. Megunticook Trail: Distance: 1 Mile, Time: 1 hr. Moderate difficulty
11. Multi Use Trail: Distance: 5 Miles, Time: 3hrs. Easy difficulty – takes you from Camden to Lincolnville.
12.Carriage Trail: Distance: .5 Mile, Time: 30minutes 45min. Easy – Moderate difficulty
13.Carriage Road Trail: Distance: .8 Mile, Time: 45min. Moderate difficulty
14. Tablelands: Distance: 1.5 Mile, Time: 1.5 hr. Moderate – strenous difficulty
15. Mt. Battie Trail: Distance: .5 Mile, Time: 45min. Moderate – strenous difficulty
16. Nature Trail: Distance: 1.2 Mile, Time: 1hr. Easy difficulty
17. Jack Williams Trail: Distance: 1.6 Mile, Time: 1.5 hr Easy – Moderate difficulty
18. Adam’s Look Tail: Distance: .3 Mile, Time: 10min. Easy difficulty
19. Shoreline Trail: Distance: .8 Mile, Time: 15min. Easy difficulty
20. Summer Bypass trail: Distance: .4 Mile, Time: 30min. Easy difficulty
Download a MAP of Camden Hills Here: http://www.maine.gov/doc/parks/parksinfo/camden/camdentrails.pdf

Take A Hike Program

camden-maine-couple-mt-battie-view

TAKE A HIKE THIS SUMMER

CAMDEN WINDWARD HOUSE BED AND BREAKFAST JOINS WITH COASTAL MOUNTAIN LAND TRUST IN HELPING YOU TAKE A HIKE!

Camden Maine is a fantastic coastal village where you can park your car and go hiking. The Coastal Mountain Land Trust, since 1986, has preserved more than 7,800 acres of hikable land in the Mid Coast of Maine. New this summer, the Land Trust introduces The Take A Hike program. This program offers hiking suggestions from easy with a gradual climb to strenuous. There is a hiking option for all levels of wayfarers.

Views on the hikes offer opportunities to see historic sod roofed houses, organic blueberry fields, majestic lakes and unforgettable seascapes.

The program suggests 3 easy steps to taking a hike:
1. Pick your hike
2. Hop in your car or call a taxi
3. Lace up your walking shoes and enjoy.

The Camden Windward House Bed and Breakfast will provide you with all trail maps and a relaxing place to come back, nap and take a shower. The Camden Windward House offers several Soft Adventure packages and considers this area program a great addition to the Soft adventure options of the Mid Coast. Innkeeper Kristen Bifulco stated, “This organized hiking program is the missing link to the already established mid coast adventure activities.”
Link to trail Map