There is a primary trail that leads to a rocky ledge on South Bay (2.5 miles round-trip) and several secondary trails that when combined create a 6-mile hike with a variety of views and ways to experience some of the inner coves of Cobscook Bay. Trails receive sporadic maintenance and directional signs may be sparse, so visitors may have to make their own way. Most of the hiking is on relatively flat ground, though much of the trail is covered by rocks or roots and there are frequent re-routes around fallen trees. Visitors should be prepared for wet trail conditions for much of the year.
Despite the sometimes difficult conditions described above, competent and prepared hikers are rewarded by beautiful spruce-fir forest inland, majestic pines along the shoreline and opportunities to watch seals, waterfowl, ospreys and eagles on the water. Tracks and sign of deer, coyote, fox, black bear, snowshoe hare and fishers are much more common than human boot prints on the trail.
Some of the side trails may be temporarily closed to protect sensitive wildlife. Please watch for notices at the trailhead and at trail intersections for directions. When possible, trail closures will also be posted on this website.
The Horan Head Unit is part of the Cobscook Bay Wildlife Management Area, a network of conserved lands owned and managed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Composed of over 2,000 acres of mainland and islands in and around Cobscook Bay and more than 23 miles of shoreline, the Management Area provides valuable wildlife habitat as well as public access and recreational opportunities. For more information, please contact the Regional Wildlife Biologist at (207) 434-5927.
The Horan Head Unit was purchased in part with support from the Land for Maine's Future program.
Cobscook Trails Project
The trails on Horan Head are part of a larger network of hiking trails in known as Cobscook Trails. Cobscook Trails is a cooperative project of conservation landowners and community partners that seeks to expand opportunities for nature-based recreation and tourism in eastern Washington County. The group produces "Cobscook Trails: A Guide to Walking Opportunities around Cobscook Bay and Bold Coast Region," a 55 page booklet describing walks on 19 area properties. Find more information about Cobscook Trails, including how to purchase the guidebook, visit: The Cobscook Trails Project.
This trail passes through a property that was acquired in part with funds from the Land for Maine’s Future program. For more information about the LMF program and the places it has helped to protect, please visit the LMF webpage.
Visit Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for more information or contact:
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and WildlifeTake US Route 1 to ME Route 189 toward Lubec. Travel 5.6 miles east on ME Route 189 and turn left onto Crow's Neck Road. Turn right after 0.4 miles onto Lead Mine Road. Make a quick left turn after 0.2 miles onto Straight Bay Road. The trailhead parking area is 3.2 miles up Straight Bay Road on the right side. A short gravel road leads to the parking area, which is marked by several brown metal signs identifying the area. A diamond-shaped "Cobscook Trails" sign is at the roadside. The trailhead lies beyond the gate at the parking area and through the fields following the ground path leading to the woods.
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