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Local Natural Wonders Day 20 - Runaround Pond in Durham, Maine

Runaround Pond, located at 315 Runaround Pond Road in Durham, Maine is part of a larger, 374-acre conservation area that also includes Chesley Meadows Preserve. The pond is perfect for any type of paddling and fishing, ice-skating and ice-fishing in winter, and it is surrounded by trails to walk or mountain bike on. Park at the Runaround Pond recreation area and go for a paddle, enjoy the scenery from a spot on the rocks or picnic t…

Local Natural Wonders Day 20 - Pemaquid Beach in New Harbor, Maine

Pemaquid Beach is owned by the Town of Bristol in midcoast Maine. It is operated by the Bristol Parks Commission for the Town of Bristol and a "sister" park to the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park.

Located about an hour north of Freeport on the coast, this beach has beautiful clear water and the sand is groomed daily. There are changing rooms and showers, as well as an outdoor shower to rinse feet and legs. Guests with mobility i…

Local Natural Wonders - Day 19 - Thorne Head Preserve, Bath Maine

Located at the end of High Street in Bath, Maine is this beautiful preserve. Follow a series of trails through a mixed wood forest to a stunning view overlooking the Kennebec River Estuary. This is a great hike for kids, and a perfect place to go for a quick ,but rewarding, local hike.

Description (From Maine Trail Finder)

Thorne Head Preserve is conveniently located at the confluence of the Kennebec Estuary and Whiskeag Creek,…

Local Natural Wonders Day 17 - Littlejohn Island Preserve in Yarmouth, Maine

Littlejohn Island Preserve is 23 acres, owned and managed by Royal River Conservation Trust. This coastal preserve includes a fairly flat and wide 1.3 mile trail with scenic views and access to the rocky shoreline. Visitors will likely see a variety of migrant birds and may even catch a bald eagle or osprey along the shore. There are even a few picnic tables - a perfect place to enjoy lunch with a view!

Parking is ver…

Local Natural Wonders Day 17 - Mount Battie in Camden, Maine

Mount Battie is located in Camden Hills State Park. There are a couple of trail options - Nature Trail and Mount Battie Trailhead. Nature Trail is a 2.6 mile loop, with a few steeper spots. Nature Trail parking is accessed from Mount Battie Road (DIRECTIONS). Mount Battie Trailhead is a short hike - only a half mile. Parking for this hike is located at the end of Megunticook Street (DIRECTIONS). Both offer gorgeous views of Penobscot …

Local Natural Wonders - Day 16 - Stovers Point Preserve, Harpswell, Maine

Stovers Point Preserve is a great little off-the-beaten-path beach in Harpswell. It is a great place to collect rocks and shells, check out some crabs, and go for a swim. This spot provides a beautiful view, a tidal creek, and a salt marsh as well as ocean swimming on a little rocky beach.

From the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust Website:

If you are looking for a day at the beach, try Stover’s Point Preserve! It’s free to…

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…