Beals MaineHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Beals, Maine.
1. Seaduck Point Preserve
COASTAL SCENIC TRAIL
Seaduck Point Preserve encompasses one-third of Beals Island, offering visitors a 1.5-mile roundtrip hike along inviting trails through a 168-acre forested landscape. The path leads to a secluded sand and gravel beach framed by granite shores and views of Western Bay. This preserve is ideal for those seeking iconic coastal Maine scenery, tranquility, and opportunities for photography.
2. Great Wass Island Preserve
GRANITE SHORELINE HIKE
Great Wass Island Preserve features a 4.5-mile hiking trail traversing unique forests and wetlands, culminating at exposed granite bedrock along the dramatic shoreline. The hike takes visitors through diverse habitats, including bogs and spruce forests, before reaching sweeping ocean vistas. Its unspoiled coastline and varying terrain make it a favorite for experienced hikers and nature enthusiasts.
3. Beals Island Trails
ISLAND TRAIL NETWORK
Beals Island hosts several hiking trails weaving through coastal forests and offering views of surrounding bays and islands. These trails are suitable for short walks or longer explorations and showcase the island's natural beauty and maritime character. Trail access is convenient via the bridge connecting Beals to the mainland.
4. Ingersoll Point Preserve
WATERFRONT FOREST HIKES
Ingersoll Point Preserve offers a network of nearly 3.5 miles of trails through lush woods and down to scenic beaches with impressive views across Wohoa Bay. The Adler Woods Trail and Wohoa Bay Trail allow visitors to experience moss-carpeted forests, historic homestead remains, and quiet waterfront stretches. This preserve is a relaxing destination for those wanting to immerse themselves in Downeast Maine's forest and coastline.
5. Wohoa Bay Trail
WETLAND AND BAY VIEWS
The Wohoa Bay Trail branches from the Adler Woods Trail and parallels the woods to the south, eventually emerging at a picturesque section of beach on Wohoa Bay. Known for its wet beach section, hikers can opt for the Moss Trail connector if preferred. This trail segment features coastal wetlands, wildlife sightings, and panoramic views of Beals and nearby islands.
6. Adler Woods Trail
FOREST TO BEACH WALK
The Adler Woods Trail starts at the Union Church parking lot and guides hikers through alder thickets into a dense, mossy forest before opening to the beach at Ingersoll Point. Along the way, visitors pass the historic cellar hole of the Ingersoll homestead, adding cultural interest to the scenic route. The trail ends with rewarding waterfront views and opportunities for beachcombing.
7. Western Bay Beach
QUIET COASTAL ACCESS
Western Bay Beach provides a tranquil spot for hikers and beachgoers seeking unspoiled coastal views and easy access from Beals Island. The beach is bounded by classic Maine granite shores and is ideal for wildlife observation and relaxation. It is best accessed via the Seaduck Point Preserve trail network.
8. Great Wass Island Loop Trail
CHALLENGING OCEAN LOOP
The Great Wass Island Loop Trail offers a more challenging hike around the preserve, combining spruce forests, peat bogs, and extensive ocean views into one circuit. This rugged loop is popular for its remote feel, rare plant life, and dramatic granite outcrops along the coast. Hikers experience a true sense of adventure as they traverse diverse habitats on this longer trail.
9. Moss Trail Connector
CONNECTOR THROUGH WETLANDS
The Moss Trail serves as a connector between the main loops of the Ingersoll Point trail network, guiding hikers through especially lush and mossy lowland habitat. It provides a drier alternative to the wet beach section of the Wohoa Bay Trail. Visitors enjoy a peaceful walk among shaded, green-draped forest floor along this route.
10. Eastern Head Trail
REMOTE COASTAL HIKE
Eastern Head Trail, located within the Great Wass Island Preserve, leads hikers to the dramatic, windswept tip of the island with commanding views of the Atlantic. The pathway crosses bogs, coastal heath, and stunted spruce, representing the unique ecology of the region. At the end, visitors are rewarded with solitude and sweeping vistas over the surrounding waters.