Hammond MaineHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Hammond, Maine.
1. Hammond Ridge Trails
PREMIER MOUNTAIN BIKING EXPERIENCE
Hammond Ridge Trails offers premier mountain bike trails and comfortable walking paths for all abilities. Visitors can enjoy winter fat tire biking, trail running, and hiking throughout the well-maintained network. The trail system is managed by Katahdin Area Trails (KAT) and provides diverse outdoor recreation opportunities in the Hammond Ridge area.
2. River Pond Nature Trail
VIEWS OF MT. KATAHDIN
River Pond Nature Trail is a pleasant walk through mixed hardwood forests between River Pond and the West Branch Penobscot River. The highlight of the trail is Moose Point, offering wide views of River Pond and Mt. Katahdin looming across the lake. The area can be enjoyed in less than an hour via the Tenderfoot Trail or as part of a longer 4-mile loop connecting multiple trail segments.
3. Tenderfoot Trail
EASY RIVERSIDE HIKE
Tenderfoot Trail is the easiest trail in the River Pond Nature Trail system and best option for hikers short on time. The trail starts at the primary trailhead and weaves back and forth next to River Pond for about 0.75 miles before meeting other trails in the network. Hikers should keep an eye out for moose from the couple of viewpoints overlooking River Pond.
4. Timber Cruisers Trail
SCENIC POND LOOP
Timber Cruisers Trail makes a 1.3 mile arc on the northwest side of the River Pond trail network. Moose Point is definitely the highlight with wide views of River Pond and Mt. Katahdin in the distance. Large, halfway submerged rocks on the point make a great lunch spot for hikers taking a break on this scenic trail.
5. Bernard Mountain Trail
QUIET ACADIA ESCAPE
Bernard Mountain Trail offers a mostly wooded hiking experience with occasional views in Acadia National Park. The trails and forest glades provide a quiet respite from the more crowded areas of Acadia to the east. This moderate 2.90-mile loop trail is perfect for hikers looking to experience the natural beauty of Acadia without the crowds.
6. Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail
BAR HARBOR PANORAMIC VIEWS
The Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail provides stunning views of Frenchman Bay and its islands as well as a unique perspective of Bar Harbor village from above. This advanced 4.20-mile round trip hike takes adventurous visitors up the northern slope of Acadia's highest peak. The trail is popular for sunrise hikes, as Cadillac Mountain is the first place to see the sunrise in the United States during certain times of the year.
7. Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail
OCEAN AND ISLAND VIEWS
Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail provides outstanding views of the ocean and outlying islands from the bare and exposed southern ridge of Cadillac Mountain. This advanced 7.10-mile round trip hike is one of the longest trails in Acadia National Park. The gradual ascent makes it a popular alternative route to reach Acadia's highest peak compared to the steeper North Ridge Trail.
8. Cadillac Summit Loop Trail
ACCESSIBLE MOUNTAIN VIEWS
The Cadillac Summit Loop Trail is a half-mile loop circling the top of Cadillac Mountain, providing spectacular panoramic views from the mountaintop. This easy, accessible adventure is perfect for those who have driven to the summit but still want to experience the outdoors. The paved path makes this trail suitable for visitors of all abilities, including those with wheelchairs or strollers.
9. Appalachian Trail - Katahdin Section
ICONIC MOUNTAIN FINALE
The Appalachian Trail's Katahdin Section marks either the beginning or end of the epic 2,200-mile journey from Georgia to Maine. This magnificent trail segment culminates at the summit of Mount Katahdin, the highest peak in Maine at 5,269 feet. For northbound hikers, reaching this point represents the completion of a months-long journey, while southbound hikers begin their adventure with this challenging mountain ascent.
10. Debsconeag Wilderness Area Trails
PRISTINE LAKES REGION
The Debsconeag Wilderness Area Trails wind through one of the largest roadless areas in the Northeastern United States. This pristine wilderness contains numerous pristine lakes and ponds, old-growth forests, and spectacular views of Mount Katahdin. Hikers can explore various trails including the popular Ice Cave Trail, which leads to a rare ice formation that maintains ice year-round even during summer months.