Chesterville MaineHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Chesterville, Maine.
1. Flint Woods and Village Woods
FOREST TRAILS NETWORK
Flint Woods and Village Woods is a network of forest trails offering easy to moderate terrain for year-round, non-motorized use. The trails feature old wells, vernal pools, and remarkable drainage improvements through a 2010-2012 state grant project. Multiple loop options are available without retracing steps, with the main trailhead located on Anson Street/Titcomb Hill Road about 0.5 miles from downtown Farmington.
2. Powder House Hill Trails
ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITY PATHS
Powder House Hill Trails offers easy-access trailheads less than a mile from historic downtown Farmington, Maine. The trail system welcomes users from dawn to dusk year-round for hiking and outdoor recreation. This community resource features a variety of trail difficulties from easy, well-worn improved trails to more challenging single-track paths on moderately steep slopes.
3. Appalachian Trail
ICONIC LONG DISTANCE PATH
The Appalachian Trail near Farmington offers a moderate 6.6-mile out-and-back hiking experience. This segment is part of the famous 2,190-mile trail that stretches from Georgia to Maine. Hikers can enjoy the beautiful Maine wilderness while experiencing a portion of one of America's most celebrated long-distance hiking trails.
4. Appalachian National Scenic Trail Loop
CIRCULAR MOUNTAIN ROUTE
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail Loop provides hikers with a circular route option near Farmington. This trail variant allows visitors to experience the beauty of the Appalachian Trail without needing to backtrack. The loop offers spectacular views of the Maine wilderness and mountains throughout all seasons.
5. Puzzle Mountain Loop
CHALLENGING MOUNTAIN CIRCUIT
Puzzle Mountain Loop via Grafton Loop Trail offers hikers a challenging circuit in the mountains near Newry, Maine. The trail features significant elevation gain with rewarding panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness and valleys. Hikers can expect a full-day adventure through diverse forest environments and rocky outcroppings.
6. Tuckerman Ravine
DRAMATIC MOUNTAIN BOWL
Tuckerman Ravine is a famous glacial cirque located on the eastern slope of Mount Washington accessible from the Maine side. The trail is renowned for its challenging terrain and spectacular alpine scenery, especially popular with extreme skiers in late winter and spring. During summer and fall, hikers can explore the dramatic headwall and experience the unique mountain ecosystem.
7. Mt. Willard Trail
PANORAMIC VALLEY VIEWS
Mt. Willard Trail offers one of the best views-to-effort ratios in the region, with a relatively short hike leading to spectacular panoramic vistas. The trail climbs steadily through mixed forests before opening to a dramatic cliff-top viewpoint overlooking Crawford Notch. This family-friendly hike is particularly stunning during fall foliage season when the valley below erupts in vibrant colors.
8. Huntington Ravine Trail
TECHNICAL MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE
Huntington Ravine Trail is considered one of the most challenging and technically demanding hiking trails in the Northeast. The route requires scrambling over steep rock faces and navigating exposed sections that demand good balance and confidence. Experienced hikers are rewarded with incredible views and the satisfaction of conquering this notorious trail segment.
9. Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail
CASCADING WATERS ROUTE
Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail follows a beautiful mountain stream with numerous cascades and waterfalls on the western approach to Mount Washington. The trail features a moderate lower section before becoming steeper as it climbs above treeline to the Lakes of the Clouds Hut. Hikers enjoy both the water features along the lower portions and the expansive alpine views higher up.
10. Mt. Major Trail
LAKE VIEW SUMMIT
Mt. Major Trail offers a moderately challenging hike with exceptional views of Lake Winnipesaukee from its open summit. The trail is extremely popular due to its accessibility and the outstanding scenery-to-effort ratio it provides. Various loop options allow hikers to customize their experience while enjoying the spectacular panoramic vistas of central Maine's lake country.