Androscoggin Canoe Trail
(Click for Map)
Shelburne through Hanover. www.mahoosuc.org/androcanoe.html and http://www.avcnet.org/arwc/recreationintro.html.
The Androscoggin Canoe Trail was created in 2001 with the goal of providing better access to the Androscoggin River. The trail is a collaborative effort of the Mahoosuc Land Trust, the National Park Service Rivers and Trails Program, the Androscoggin River Watershed Council, the towns of Shelburne, Gilead, Bethel, Newry, Hanover, and Rumford, and the Maine Department of Conservation. Public boat launches are available in Shelburne (near village center, north side of the river at the Meadow Road Bridge, launch and parking on west side of Meadow Rd.); Gilead (across from the Forest Service Picnic Area on Rt. 2, follow Bridge Street to the river, privately owned with public access allowed); Newt's Landing (off Rt. 2 in West Bethel, follow Ferry Rd. to the river, access via a set of log stairs, owned by Mahoosuc Land Trust); at Davis Park in Bethel; Moran's Landing in Hanover (accessed from Rt. 2 just east of the junction with Rt. 26, marked by a canoe trail sign, owned by Mahoosuc Land Trust); Hanover (off Ferry Road behind the town office building on town land). Above the current head of the trail, boat launches are available at Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, Umbagog Lake State Park,
Mollidgewock State Park, Androscoggin Wayside, Bofinger Conservation Area, Nansen Wayside.
Androscoggin River Walking Trail, Mahoosuc Land Trust Trails Committee
(Click for Map)
Bethel, www.thebetheljournals.info/Trails/betheltrails.htm.
The Mahoosuc Land Trust Trails Committee has built a system of easy walking/biking trails along the banks of the Androscoggin River. The Androscoggin River Recreational Walking Trail extends from Riverview Resort at 357 Mayville Rd. to Riverside Rest Area on Rt. 2 about 3 miles northeast of Bethel. Please check in at the Riverview Resort office if you use their parking lot.
Androscoggin Wayside Park
(Click for Map)
Rt. 16 south of Errol, www.nhparks.state.nh.us/state-parks.
Within the Thirteen Mile Woods scenic area, this is a fine spot for picnicking and fishing, and a favorite with canoeists.
An interpretive sign offers information about the area. Unstaffed but open year-round.
|
|
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
(Click for Map)
Shelburne, Riley, Grafton, Andover West and North Surplus, 603-795-4935 (Appalachian Trail Conservancy), www.nps.gov/appa (National Park Service).
The renowned 2,175-mile AT stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. For a short hike on the AT, start from the Rattle River Trailhead on Rt. 2 just east of North Rd. The parking lot is well marked and hikers can enjoy a moderate 1.7 mile hike south, gaining 500’ elevation, to the Rattle River Shelter, enjoying many views of the cascading Rattle River along the way. 2-1/2 hours roundtrip. (See Lead Mine, Grafton Loop and Dunn Falls entries for other opportunities to try out the trail.)
|
Bethel Recreational Path, Mahoosuc Land Trust Trails Committee
(Click for Map)
Bethel, www.thebetheljournals.info/Trails/betheltrails.htm.
Bethel Recreational Path, about one mile in length, starts at Davis Park, crosses the river on the recreation bridge, loops under Rt. 2, and extends to the North Rd. This trail is handicapped accessible, has parking at both ends, and may be used summer and winter.
The Cataracts
(Click for Map)
Andover, www.maine.gov/doc/parks/programs/db_search/index.html.
East B Hill Road to Andover offers a jaunt off the beaten track (watch for logging trucks) and provides access to two short hikes. A short 1-mile round-trip hike leads to a falls where potholes have been worn in the bedrock by Frye Brook. Picnic tables and swimming holes. Parking just west of the Frye Brook Bridge at the sign for Burroughs Brook Rd. (about 9 miles from Rt. 26 and 5 miles from Andover). The trail starts on the south side of the road.
Davis Park
(Click for Map)
Bethel, www.bethelmaine.org.
Public park near Bethel Village, with playground, picnic area, boat launch. Corner of Rt. 26 and Parkway, east of Bethel.
Dunn Falls
(Click for Map)
Andover North Surplus. A two-mile roundtrip hike south along the AT leads to picturesque Dunn Falls on the west branch of the Ellis River. The trail crosses East B Hill Road about 6 miles east of the junction with Rt. 26, 8 miles west of Andover (look for AT sign). No parking available, so vehicles must be left at roadside.
Forest Service Picnic Area
(Click for Map)
Rt. 2, Gilead. Picnic tables, restrooms. South side of Rt.2. Open seasonally.
Frenchman's Hole
(Click for Map)
Riley (north of Newry), 207-778-8231, www.maine.gov/doc/parks/programs/db_search/index.html.
A favorite swimming hole with deep pools in the Bull Branch of Sunday River. Out Sunday River Rd., past Artist's Bridge 4.1 miles, left across Twin Bridges then immediate right on Bull Branch Rd., 0.6 miles to parking on left side. Road unplowed in winter.
Grafton Loop Trail
(Click for Map)
Grafton (north of Newry), www.matc.org/glt1.htm.
This rugged 42-mile backpacking loop connects with the Appalachian Trail at both ends. The full loop provides a 3-5 day semi-wilderness hiking experience across four mountain peaks. The trail was designed and built by a coalition of over 20 area organizations and businesses. A map and brochure are available at www.matc.org/gltbrchr.doc. The trail crosses Rt. 26 4.8 miles north of the junction with Rt. 2.
Grafton Notch Scenic Byway (Rt. 26)
(Click for Map)
Newry, Grafton, Upton, www.exploremaine.org/byways/grafton. Rt. 26 from Newry to Lake Umbagog, along the Bear River and through Grafton Notch, is a Maine scenic byway. It offers spectacular views of the rugged Mahoosuc mountain range.
Grafton Notch State Park
(Click for Map)
Grafton (between Upton and Newry), 207-824-2912 in-season; 207-624-6080 off-season www.maine.gov/doc/parks/programs/db_search/index.html.
This park contains 3,112 acres of beautiful mountain terrain. Interpretive signs explain the glacial sculpting of Screw Auger Falls (deep, narrow gorge with potholes and wading – picnic and toilet facilities) and the formation of Mother Walker Falls (deep gorge with series of cascades, short walk from parking lot). A quarter-mile loop trail leads to Moose Cave, with its narrow gorge and lush lichens and mosses. Spruce Meadow picnic area at the north end of park has mountain views and a marshy area with abundant wildlife. For more ambitious hikers, Bethel Area Chamber has maps and directions for longer hikes (see www.bethelmaine.com/activities/easy-hikes/4-hikes-in-grafton-notch or visit the Chamber office). In the winter, a main artery snowmobile trail (ITS 82) traverses the park and is maintained by a local snowmobile club. Rt. 26 between Upton and Newry. Open May 15-Oct. 15.
Jericho Mountain State Park
(Click for Map)
West of Berlin on Rt. 110., 603-217-3556, www.nhtrails.org/Trailspages/Jericho/JerichoMountainSP.html.
This new 7,500 acre state park (incorporating 300-acre Jericho Lake Park formerly owned by the city of Berlin) caters to off-road driving enthusiasts. Full build-out calls for 136 trail miles, maintained with the assistance of the Androscoggin Valley ATV Club, and 200 campsites (26 remote, 93 campers and pop-ups, and 81 RV hookups).
|
|
Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge
(Click for Map)
Errol, Cambridge, Upton, 603-482-3415 www.fws.gov/northeast/lakeumbagog/.
The Lake Umbagog refuge was established to protect wetlands surrounding the lake and the fish and wildlife that depend on them. Birding and wildlife watching, hunting and fishing, are popular activities. In patches of boreal spruce-fir forest you might spot such northern birds as gray jays, spruce grouse, or boreal chickadees, and moose are also frequently seen. The Magalloway River Trail, is a 1/3 mile long handicap accessible trail leading to an observation platform on the river, where you might see osprey, waterfowl, and moose. The trailhead is 1.5 miles north of refuge headquarters on the east (river) side of Rt. 16. There is hiking available on old unmapped logging roads, and a few snowmobile routes cross the refuge, but the best way to see the refuge is by boat. A cartop boat launch to access the Magalloway River is located in Wentworth Location across from the Mount Dustin store (north from refuge headquarters on Rt. 16). Paddlers can expect to see kingfisher, osprey, and waterfowl including wood ducks, goldeneye, and black ducks, and bald eagles and loons at the lake. Floating Island at Harper's Meadow, where Umbagog Lake flows into the Androscoggin, was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1972. The island is held together by vegetation and moves according to wind direction. Refuge headquarters, at 2756 Dam Road (Rt. 16), 5.5 miles north of Errol on the banks of the Magalloway River, is open most weekdays.
|
Leadmine State Forest
(Click for Map)
Shelburne, 603-271-2214, www.nhparks.state.nh.us.
This 202-acre state forest was originally donated to the Appalachian Mountain Club and subsequently transferred to the state. Hikers seeking a view can access the AT/Centennial Trail from a parking area off Hogan Rd. approximately 0.2 miles from the junction with North Rd., just north of Leadmine Dam on the Androscoggin River. (Watch for logging trucks on Hogan Rd.) The trail ascends steeply with limited views of the Androscoggin River, crosses a brook at ¾ mile, then reaches the easterly summit of Mt. Hayes at 2.8 miles. 1,800 ft. gain in elevation, 5 hours roundtrip.
Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands Mahoosuc Unit
(Click for Map)
Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, Riley, Grafton, Andover West Surplus, 207-778-8231, www.maine.gov/doc/parks/programs/db_search/index.html.
The 27,000-acre Mahoosuc unit of Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands extends on either side of Grafton Notch State Park. Hikers access the unit from Rt. 26 and East B Hill Road between Upton and Andover, ME. See Grafton Loop, The Cataracts, and Frenchman’s Hole for special places on the Unit. Above tree-line, camping and fires are allowed only at designated shelters; below tree-line visitors may camp but fires are not permitted.
Maine Birding Trail - Western Lakes Section
(Click for Map)
Gilead, Newry, Grafton, Riley. The Western Lakes section of the Maine Birding Trail describes birds most often seen in the Evans Notch section of the White Mountain National Forest, and along Rt. 26 at Step Falls preserve and Grafton Notch State Park. Download a "birding the Western Lakes" trail guide at www.mainebirdingtrail.com/Western_Lakes.htm
Mascot Mine Natural Area
(Click for Map)
Gorham. The 11.7 acre Mascot Mine Natural Area protects an abandoned mine that has become the region's largest hibernaculum shared by five species of bat. Mines are gated to protect both visitors and bats. Mineral collectors may sift through tailings dumps, with hand tools only, to find unusual specimens of galena (lead ore) and other minerals.
Milan Hill State Park and Milan Hill Fire Tower
(Click for Map)
Milan, 1-877-647-2757, www.nhparks.state.nh.us/state-parks/campgrounds.
Hiking, picnicking, fishing, camping (10 primitive campsites - no running water), provides access to nearby canoeing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. Milan Hill fire tower, 45 feet high, was built in 1932 with cooperation from the Brown Company, and provides a view of mountain ranges in NH, ME, VT, and Canada. From Rt. 16 north of Berlin, turn west on Rt. 110B, then south at park entrance. Park closed summer, 2008 for renovations.
Mollidgewock State Park
(Click for Map)
Errol, 1-877-647-2757, www.nhparks.state.nh.us/state-parks.
This park offers primitive camping (with water and pit toilets) along the banks of the Androscoggin River in the scenic Thirteen Mile Woods area. Fishing, boating and wildlife watching are popular activities. An interpretive sign offers information about the area. 47 tent sites and 5 remote water-access sites by reservation only. Wood and ice for sale and canoes for rent. Park entrance off Rt. 16 about 3 miles south of Errol and 28 miles north of Berlin. Open seasonally, staffed most of the summer.
Moose Brook State Park
(Click for Map)
Gorham, 1-877-647-2757, www.nhparks.state.nh.us/state-parks/.
Unparalleled scenery and a variety of outdoor activities. Fishing in the Peabody and Moose rivers, picnicking and swimming, trails to
explore by foot or mountain bike. Off Rt. 2 west of Gorham. Day-use area open June 23-Sept. 3.
|
|
Mount Washington Auto Road
(Click for Map)
Rt. 16 Pinkham Notch (south of Gorham), 603-466-3988, www.mtwashingtonautoroad.com.
Since 1861 this toll road has provided the means to drive to the summit of the highest peak in the Northeast. Guided tours available. 8 miles south of Gorham on Route 16. Open mid-May to mid-Oct.
Mount Will Trail
(Click for Map)
Bethel, www.bethelmaine.com/home/bethelmaine.com/rc2/activities/easy-hikes.
The Mt Will Trail was developed by the Bethel Conservation Commission. 1,735 foot tall Mt. Will straddles the Bethel/Newry town line and trails provide nice views of the river valley and surrounding mountains. Trails start on Rt. 2 opposite Bethel recycling station. ¾ mile trail to North Ledges traverses Bethel’s Town Forest - 45 minute ascent, 30 minute descent. 1 mile trail to South Cliffs - 1 hour ascent, 40 minute descent. 1-1/2 mile trail - 1 hour - connects the two with views from higher ledges.
Nansen Cross-Country Ski Touring
(Click for Map)
Milan, 603-752-1573, http://www.skinansen.com.
Berlin is considered the birthplace of Nordic skiing in America. The ski trails maintained by the Nansen Ski Club were located in Berlin since 1872 and are now located at Milan Hill State Park.
Nansen Wayside
(Click for Map)
Rt. 16, Berlin, 603-323-2087, www.nhstateparks.com/nansen.html.
14 acre park on Rt. 16 in Milan along the shore of the Androscoggin River. Picnicking, fishing, boat launch, view of the Nansen Ski Jump.
Northern Forest Canoe Trail
(Click for Map)
Milan and Errol, 802-496-2285, www.northernforestcanoetrail.org.
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail starts in Old Forge, New York and ends 740 rugged miles later in Fort Kent, Maine. The trail is based on historic travel routes and crosses all of the Northeast’s major watersheds. The Androscoggin River is part of the trail, from just north of Dummer to Lake Umbagog. Section 7 map, available by order from the website, covers the section from the Connecticut River to Umbagog Lake.
Paul O. Bofinger Conservation Area
(Click for Map)
Rt. 16 at Pontook Rapids, Dummer, 603-538-6707.
This rest area, at the south end of Pontook Reservoir, is a good place to picnic or put your canoe or kayak into the water.
Pontook Reservoir
(Click for Map)
Dummer, http://glha.brascanpower.com/Pontook.asp
Pontook Reservoir is a 280 acre impoundment on the Androscoggin River that was created when a dam was erected in 1877 to supply water for log drives. Over a century later, in 1987, the dam was rebuilt for hydroelectric power generation, and scheduled releases (http://glha.brascanpower.com/Pontook.asp) provide an opportunity to run sporty Pontook Rapids. Great spot for viewing bald eagles and osprey, roadside photo opportunities.
Riverside Rest Area
(Click for Map)
Newry. Expansive picnic area on the banks of the Androscoggin River. Open seasonally. Northern terminus of the Androscoggin River Recreational Walking Trail (see listing).
Route 113 south to Evans Notch
(Click for Map)
Gilead, www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_mountain.
This winding road offers a scenic mountain drive with access to many trails in the White Mountain National Forest.
Snowmobile Trails
An extensive network of trails provides winter access for snowmobile enthusiasts. Visit one of the shops that rent snowmobiles (see Outdoor Equipment Sales and Rentals) for a map and advice about routes.
Step Falls, The Nature Conservancy
(Click for Map)
Newry, www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/maine/preserves/art20277.html.
Cascades and chutes on Wight Brook have a total drop of 135 feet. This 24 acre preserve was acquired by the Maine chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1962. Easy walk to the base of the falls, or a longer climb to the top. Rt. 26 about 8 miles from Rt. 2 junction, 10 miles from NH border. Park in the field near Wight Brook; foot traffic only – no pets please.
Stewart Family Preserve
(Click for Map)
Newry, www.mahoosuc.org.
A 3-mile hike along the Grafton Loop Trail, east from Rt. 26, brings you to the 500-acre Stewart Family Preserve on Puzzle Mountain, protected by the Mahoosuc Land Trust. The property supports old growth stands, ledge outcroppings, and views of Grafton Notch.
Thirteen Mile Woods Scenic Area and Town Forest
(Click for Map)
Rt. 16, Errol, 603-482-9815.
The Thirteen Mile Woods is a protected scenic area along Rt. 16 and the Androscoggin River south of Errol. The land is now a Town Forest managed by the Thirteen Mile Woods Association for timber, recreation and scenic values. Walking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, hunting and fishing are allowed, with public access along logging roads and snowmobile trails. No camping or ATV use.
Umbagog Lake State Park
(Click for Map)
Cambridge (east of Errol), 1-877-647-2757, www.nhparks.state.nh.us/state-parks.
The park includes a campground with 35 sites (electrical and water hook-ups, three cabins) and 34 remote campsites around Umbagog Lake accessible by boat. Beach area for swimming, fishing, wildlife viewing, and boating. Canoe, kayak, rowboat, and motor boat rentals, boat launch, fuel, camp store. South end of Umbagog Lake on Rt. 26, 7 miles east of the junction with Rt. 16, near the Maine border. Open seasonally, staffed most of the time in summer. A boat launch on Rt. 26, just west of the State Park campground, provides easy access to Lake Umbagog.
|
|
White Mountain National Forest
(Click for Map)
Milan, Berlin, Gorham, Shelburne, Gilead, Bethel, 603-466-2713 or 207-824-2134,
www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_mountain.
Established in 1918, the White Mountain National Forest is one of the most widely visited recreation sites in the eastern U.S. It contains nearly 800,000 acres of land with 1,200 miles of hiking trails, 400 miles of snowmobile trails, 23 campgrounds, 6 wilderness areas, backcountry shelters, alpine ski areas, and scenic highways. The Forest contains habitat for a variety of wildlife, eight square miles of alpine terrain, the highest peak in the East north of the Smokey Mountains, and the headwaters of many rivers. The Forest provides wood for the region’s lumber, paper and biomass energy industries, sap for maple syrup production, and firewood to warm North Country homes. Users of the Forest who park in designated sites must purchase a recreation pass at one of the area ranger stations (Gorham or Bethel).
|
Whitefield-Gorham Rail Trail
(Click for Map)
Gorham, 603-271-3254, http://members.fortunecity.com/railtrails/NH/WG/WG-S0235.htm.
This 23 mile multi-use rail trail stretches from Gorham to Whitefield, NH. Access to the eastern end of the trail is at Moose Brook Bridge at the old Boston & Maine railroad station on Rt. 2 about 0.9 miles west of the intersection with Rt. 16 in Gorham.
Wright Trail
(Click for Map)
Riley (north of Newry). Follow scenic Goose Eye Brook to the barren summit of Goose Eye Mountain with breathtaking views. Follow directions to Frenchman's Hole and drive a bit further to the trailhead on the left, parking on the right. Trail marked with a big boulder. 9.5 miles including the loop at the upper end, allow all day for this challenging hike.
|
