Northern Headwaters Trail (3.4 mile loop blue blazes) - has a diverse mix of hardwoods and conifers and provides habitat for many species. From its highest point the trail descends gradually 400’ to the Sheepscot River. For much of the way, a dense canopy creates a shaded and tranquil forest floor. Stonewalls, fruit trees, and a large cellar hole are reminders that it hasn’t always been this way. The trail crosses an expansive field that offers views across the watershed to Beaver Ridge in Freedom.
Goose Ridge Trail (1.6 miles red blazes) - Whitten Hill to Penny Road. The trail begins in a mature hemlock and white pine woods and drops steeply to the floodplain forest in the Sheepscot headwaters. The trail crosses two dams near the site of the uppermost mill on the river. Built in 1805 by Stephen Smith, one of the earliest European settlers in the area, the stonework remains in excellent shape. After crossing the dams the trail is flat until it climbs a ravine to Penny Road. During high water, log bridges on main tributaries are sometimes knocked loose making the streams impassable.
Mink Run Trail (0.3 miles) - Links Goose Ridge Trail and the Northern Headwaters Trail creating a nice loop using all three trails.
Hemlock Hollow Trail (0.6 mile, blue blazes) - the western section of the trail begins at the junction with the Northern Headwaters Trail and twists its way down Whitten Hill through a mature mixed forest to Halldale Road.
Please respect that portions of this trail network are on privately-owned property and help keep this open to the public. No overnight camping is allowed. Because hunting is allowed on many Midcoast Conservancy properties, we recommend that hikers wear blaze orange when using the trails during deer hunting season.
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 the Midcoast Conservancy website for more information or contact:
From the junction of rte 220 and rte 3 in Montville, travel north on route 220 for 3.2 miles. Where 220 makes a sharp right turn, turn left onto the Halldale Road. Travel 1.6 miles on the Halldale Rd. The road becomes gravel about 200 yards before the Whitten Hill trailhead. There is a green sign and parking lot on the left.
From the intersection of 220 and 137 in Freedom, take 220 south for 1.8 miles. At the intersection with Halldale Road, continue straight. Follow Halldale Road for 3.6 miles. There is a green sign just after the parking lot on the right. If the road changes to pavement again from gravel, you've just passed the parking lot.
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