Take it Outside!
Ten Healthy Walks
1. Jamie’s Pond Trails, Hallowell/Manchester
Coming from Pond Rd in Manchester take Collins Rd. Manchester trailhead is about 1 mile on left. Kiosk and parking at trailhead. Coming from Hallowell to Hallowell trailhead, take the Outlet Road, approximately .5 mile past Maple Hill B&B take first right onto Meadowhill Rd., follow until left hand turn takes you to the Pond, where parking and Kiosk are located. There are approximately 6 miles of trails, with fixed maps at trail heads and brochure maps at kiosks.
2. Pine Tree State Arboretum Trails, Augusta
Approximately 5 Miles on 224 acres of open space on route 9 (Hospital Street) on the east side of Augusta feature plant collections and gardens, picnic tables, indoor and outdoor toilets, benches, interpretive signs, open fields, and ponds.
3. Kennebec Highlands, Mt.Vernon, New Sharon, Rome and Vienna
More than 18 miles of old logging roads and informal trails traverse the Highlands. The area is home to moose, deer, bear, waterfowl, fish, and other wildlife and is blanketed with hardwood and mixed-wood forests, blueberry barrens, and marshes. A trail map is available from the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance.
4. Androscoggin Riverlands, Turner
The Androscoggin Riverlands public lands parcel in Turner has 15 miles of multiple-use trails and 8 miles of trails dedicated to hiking. Its “Homestead Trail” offers walkers a chance to explore the property’s interesting history, going by the foundations of numerous houses that lined the shores of the river from the 1870s until 1927 (when they were razed to make way for rising waters behind the newly constructed Gulf Island dam). A map is available at the website.
5. Augusta Nature Education Center, Augusta
Approximately 5 Miles on 175 acres next to the Augusta Vocational Center. The Center is located to the North by South Belfast Ave (Route 105) and to the South by Cony Street. On the west side is the Hodgkins Middle School and on the east side is the Vocational Technical Center and the new CONY high school.
6. Vaughan Woods, Hallowell
The 166-acre Vaughan Woods property has significant historic and natural values and provides open space and recreation land in a growing, populated area. The trail s ystem passes several artistic stone bridges and waterfalls along Vaughan Brook. While most of the property is wooded, there is a large, rolling field, which is maintained near the center of the woods.
7. Mt. Pisgah, Winthrop
This 1 mile easy/moderate trail climbs to the 60-foot Mt. Pisgah fire tower which is open to the public. On a clear day, the views from the top of the tower are outstanding. It is a relatively large undeveloped area of forests and wetlands, streams and ponds, mountain tops and ridges that provides a variety of outdoor recreational activities.
8. Monument Hill, Leeds
Monument Hill offers a short woods hike to a pleasant partially wooded summit with views of Androscoggin Lake and the White Mountains. A Civil War monument marks the summit.
9. Manchester Woods, Manchester
The Manchester Woods trail system is a non-motorized recreational trail system for walking/hiking, mountain biking, trail running, wildlife viewing, snowshoeing/XC-skiing and similar activities. The approximate 4-mile loop is adjacent to the Hallowell Recreational Area (The Res). The Property consists of serval sections including the Kerns Hill Connector (KHC); the "Pipeline" utility right-of-way; and "Rock and Crafts" parts one and two.
*Kerns Hill Connector trailhead serves as the primary trailhead for the Manchester Woods trail system. Located at the 325 Kerns Hill Road, the site has of road parking for three vehicles, and informational kiosk with a map constructed by Eagle Scout Silas Bartol. The 1 1/2 mile loop connects the Pipeline Section giving easy access to the entire Manchester and Hallowell trail systems. The KHC has a moderate trail grade, with short steeper sections. The KHC is relatively easy walking. However, mountain bikers should be aware that this section has rooty, rocky sections, tight turns, and several bridges. The KHC has a 3/4 mile internal loop mostly on a high ridge, ideal for walking and nature viewing. The KHC was funded by the Town of Manchester with assistance from the National Park Service.
*The Pipeline is a utility right-of-way running from Town Farm Road in Hallowell to Pond Road in Manchester. The Pipeline is a multiuse, doubletrack road with a mostly easy grade and hard gravel surface with short muddy or sandy sections,. In winter, the road serves as a major snowmobile trail. The Town of Manchester section connects eastward to the Res, and westward to Rocks and Crafts. The section is notable for varied wildlife habitat including an old beaver bog.
*Rocks and Crafts parts one and two is approximately one mile of moderate grade singletrack trail suitable for mountain biking, hiking/walking/running, winter activities, and wildlife viewing. Access is immediately west of the beaver bog on either side of the Pipeline. The trail, constructed by CeMENEMBA (cemenemba.org), consists of both machine-built and hand-built trail incorporating natural features, innovative bridges, and creative rock cairns. (Hence the name). The trail is suitable for all mountain bike skills levels. Rocks and Crafts was funded through FHWA's Recreational Trail Program grant program administered by the Maine Dept. of Conservation.
The Manchester Wood Trail connects to the CMP powerline which also serves as a recreational corridor. The Pipeline continues west through public and private property generally open for recreation. Additional access may be gained via the CMP power line at Kerns Hill Road, from the Hallowell Recreational area, as well as other access points. Hunting is allowed on the Town of Manchester property.
10. Kennebec River Rail Trail, Augusta to Gardiner
From downtown Augusta the trail proceeds south under Memorial Bridge. There is a spur off the main trail leading to Capital Park and state office buildings approximately .75 miles from the start. The trail continues to the northern downtown area of Hallowell for a total distance of 1.25 miles. Last year the trail was extended through Farmingdale to downtown Gardiner. Route 201 parallels the route from Augusta to Gardiner except for the Augusta trailhead. This trail runs along the portion of the Kennebec River which has been designated as an outstanding river stretch for its recreational and natural values. Only 18 rivers in Maine have received this designation. Close to restaurants and shopping. Approximately 5 miles one way.
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