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Out and About

Looking for other places in Hancock County and beyond to go hiking, biking, horseback riding or snowmobiling? All the places below are within an hour’s drive of the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands.

Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island. Visit Acadia to hike granite peaks, bike historic carriage roads, or to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Birdsacre – Stanwood Wildlife Sanctuary, Ellsworth. This nature center and wildlife refuge is an excellent place to hike during the summer and snowshoe in the winter.

Blue Hill Heritage Trust Trails, Blue Hill Peninsula. Explore beautiful and tranquil places around the Peninsula – including Blue Hill Mountain – where you can hike, launch your canoe or kayak, observe wildlife, or simply relax and enjoy the scenery.

Branch Lake Public Forest, Ellsworth. The property is located off the Bangor Road, just after the sign for Phillips Farms. Visitors drive 1.1 miles up the access road until they reach the gate. A parking area is located to the left. The constructed trails are the Lake Loop, which is just over a mile and offers lake views, and the less-than-half-mile Pine Path.

Downeast Sunrise Trail, Ellsworth and Downeast. A multi-use corridor connecting eastern Maine and the head of the East Coast Greenway from Calais to Key West.

Fort Point State Park, Stockton Springs.  Picnic tables with a waterfront view, pier and floats for fishing and boating, and access to a scenic bicycling trip are some of the top reasons to visit Fort Point State Park.

Frenchman Bay Conservancy Short Hikes, Ellsworth and Downeast. These day hikes on FBC’s preserves include many beautiful natural areas and great views.

Healthy Maine Walks, statewide. Healthy Maine Walks is sponsored by a coalition of trail and health agencies and organizations working together to build a healthier Maine by making it easier for Mainers to use walking routes in communities.

Island Heritage Trust Trails, Deer Isle. Find quiet nature walks and beautiful vistas at their Deer Isle preserves.

Maine Coast Heritage Trust Trails, statewide. MCHT preserves are special places on Maine’s coast managed to protect ecological diversity, scenic beauty, and low impact recreation.

Moose Point State Park, Searsport. Enjoy an afternoon picnic and views of Penobscot Bay, relax in an evergreen grove, explore tidal pools, or take a walk on the park’s trails.

Orono Bog Boardwalk, Orono. Explore and observe the diverse vegetation and animals of a Maine bog on the one mile boardwalk loop.

Silver Lake Trails and Miles Lane Trail, Bucksport. Whether you are interested in walking along Bucksport Bay taking in the cool afternoon ocean breeze or hiking through a Maine forest listening to all the sounds of nature, Bucksport has a trail for your enjoyment.

Witherle Woods, Castine. Witherle Woods has long been enjoyed by Castine citizens and visitors as a quiet retreat for walking, cross-country skiing, and picnicking.

Woodlawn Museum, Gardens & Park, Ellsworth. Visitors can explore a superb historic house, stroll through beautiful gardens, play croquet, hike on pristine trails, and much more.