Local Wonders

Local Natural Wonders Day 15 - Giant’s Stairs on Bailey Island, Maine

Giant’s Stairs is a unique rock formation within the rocky shoreline, overlooking Casco Bay. A short easy trail takes you along the shore to Giant’s Stairs and Thunder Hole, both worth visiting at this gorgeous location. We recommend packing a picnic lunch to enjoy while you are there.

This trail is part of the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust’s McIntosh Preserve and Giant’s Stairs are managed by the Town of Harswell.

From the…

Local Natural Wonders Day 14 - Rines Forest Trail in Cumberland, Maine

Rines Forest Trail is an easy loop trail with a few steep hills - perfect for a short hike or mountain biking. There are actually a couple of trail options that lead to a creek, waterfall and small pools, and it’s helpful to take picture of the trail map before you begin. This area can be buggy, so pack some bug spray and enjoy this beautiful walk! DIRECTIONS

Local Natural Wonders Day 13 - Glen Ellis Falls near Gorham, NH

Located in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, Glen Ellis Falls Trail is a short (less than 1/2 mile) out and back hike. The parking lot is located off Route 16, less than 20 miles south of Gorham and 16 miles north of North Conway.

A unique start to this little hike is a tunnel under route 16 to the other side of the road, at which point the trail is mostly alongside Ellis River, leading to the bottom of the impressive 6…

Local Natural Wonders - Day 12 - Dodge Point Preserve, Newcastle, Maine

With over 500 acres, Dodge Point offers over 8,000 feet of frontage along the Damariscotta River and has secluded beaches and River views as well as a diversified environment with many species of plants and animals. It has a trail system with over 6 miles of hiking trails through a variety of ecosystems.

More about the trails from AllTrails.com:

Old Farm Road Trail (2 mile loop, easy):

The Old Farm Road Trail leaves from…

Local Natural Wonders Day 11 - Mt. Apatite Park in Auburn, Maine

Mt. Apatite Park is a 325-acre wooded park located with four miles of trails that can be used for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The park, owned by the City of Auburn was named after the mineral apatite, which was found there. There is much to explore in this park, including water-filled quarries.

There is ample parking at 64 Mount Apatite Park Rd in Auburn. To access the trails, walk past the Army…

Local Natural Wonders Day 10 - Chandler Brook Preserve in North Yarmouth, Maine

Chandler Brook Preserve has 2.9 miles of fairly flat trails that loop around the 65-acre property that borders Chandler Brook. Trails go through the forest, along the brook and along the mowed borders of the adjacent fields. This is a great, easy hike for kids and the perfect spot for dogs to run (and no dogs do not need to be leashed, but please clean up after them).

Directions from Royal River Conservation Trust:…

Local Natural Wonders - Day 9 - Emerald Pool in Chatham, NH

Just over the Maine border in New Hamshire is a short hike to this unique swimming hole. This easy hike is 1.6 miles out-and-back and leads to a small cascade with a striking emerald green pool. If you are a more experienced hiker, this trip could be combined with a much longer hike on the Baldface Circle Trail, or an easy backpacking adventure to the South Baldface Shelter.

About the Hike from newhampshirefamilyhikes.com:
The beauty of …

Local Natural Wonders Day 8 - Moxie Falls, Moxie Gore Township, ME

Moxie Falls Trail is an fairly easy out-and-back hike, totaling about 1.7 miles. It is kid and dog friendly (though dogs should be leashed). The trail leads to Moxie Falls Moxie, an incredible waterfall with a 90 foot vertical drop into a pool about 17 feet deep. Moxie Falls is one of the highest falls in New England. The falls are part of Moxie Stream which flows from Moxie Pond into the Kennebec River approximately 1 kilometer…

Local Natural Wonders, Day 7 - Mast Landing Sanctuary in Freeport, ME

Mast Landing is located along the Haraseeket River estuary with over 100 acres, including trails, a tidal marsh, stream, fields and forested area. It was founded by Maine Audubon in 1967 and is a beautiful area to explore and observe wildlife.

Visit the Maine Audubon website here to learn more about the different trails.

Directions from Maine Audubon website:

From I-295:

1. Take exit 22 to merge onto ME-125 S/ME-136 S/Ma…

Local Natural Wonders - Day 6- Bijhower Forest Preserve in Phippsburg, ME

The little known  73-acre Bijhouwer (pronounced Bye-how-er) Forest is beautiful and includes one of the northernmost stands of mountain laurel in New England. The laurel blooms in late June and early July. This amazing forest also includes a lovely seasonal waterfall and the “Hundred Foot Rock,” a massive bolder covered with leatherleaf lichen. The trail is approximately 1.3 miles, making it a great, easy hike for childre…