Viles Arboretum offers year-round recreation opportunities for hiking, biking, skiing and snowshoeing - all accessible at no cost. Trails that offer access to a wide variety of habitats make the Arboretum an incredible destination for wildlife watching. The Arboretum's botanical collections feature native and non-native plants of statewide importance.
Outer Loop (1.75 miles, Blue Blazes)
The Arboretum's longest continuous trail. Trail surfaces are primarily mowed fields, with about a quarter of the trail passing through unimproved forest floor. Most of the elevation change is gradual, although there is a rather steep hill located along the forested portion of the trail. Notable features along this trail include the wetland boardwalk. Accessible to most bike and stroller use.
Inner Loop (0.75 miles, Yellow Blazes)
This trail travels primarily through forest cover and experiences moderate elevation change. Trail surfaces vary from mowed field, to packed gravel and unimproved forest floor. Notable features along this trail include the historic AMHI cistern, Piggery, and Viles Pond. This trail features three bridges and a rock staircase. Not recommended for bike or stroller access.
Bobolink Trail (0.5 miles, Orange Blazes)
A short trail that travels entirely through fields, Trail surface is exclusively mowed grass, however the trail surface is uneven and bumpy., This rail is designed to provide a unique opportunity for bird watching and wildlife viewing. Recommended for foot traffic only.
HemlockTrail (0.60 miles, Green Blazes)
This narrow trail travels entirely across unimproved forest floor. It features a long stretch of narrow, single board-width, bog bridges. An excellent trail for wildlife viewing. Recommended for foot traffic only.
Connector Trails
There are several, unnamed, connector trails throughout the trail system.
Visit Viles Arboretum online for more information or contact:
Viles ArboretumFrom North: Take I-95 Exit 113 for Augusta/Belfast. Continue straight on ME Route 3 through two traffic lights crossing the Kennebec River. After the bridge, turn right at the traffic light at the intersection of ME Route 3 and US Route 201/ME Route 100 and follow US Route 201/ME Route 100 South. Staying on US 201, US Route 202 will join on the left and in another half mile there will be a traffic circle. Take the ME Route 9/Stone Street exit (the third after entering the circle). Continue on ME Route 9 for 1.2 miles (going straight through a traffic light), and turn into the Arboretum's Visitor Center on the left.
From East: Follow US 202 to its with US 201 in Augusta, and follow the directions above from there.
From South: Take I-95 Exit 109 for Augusta-Winthrop-US 202, and head east towards Augusta on Western Avenue to the rotary. Go 180 degrees around rotary and continue on US 202/Western Avenue (2nd exit). Go over the Memorial Bridge crossing the Kennebec, and at the next rotary, take the first, immediate exit onto ME Route 9/Stone Street. Continue on ME Route 9 for 1.2 miles (going straight through a traffic light), and turn into the Arboretum's Visitor Center on the left.
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