Islesboro MaineHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Islesboro, Maine.
1. Turtle Head Preserve
NORTHERN TIP PANORAMIC VIEWS
Turtle Head Preserve features 1.4 miles of hiking trails circling around the most northern tip of Islesboro. The main loop offers beaches to explore, ocean views, and rocks to climb with spectacular vistas of Sears Island across Penobscot Bay. This preserve is highly recommended for visitors with only enough time for one walk on the island.
2. Hutchins Island and Marsh Preserve
TIDAL SANDBAR ADVENTURE
Hutchins Island and Marsh Preserve offers a unique hiking experience where visitors can cross a tidal sandbar to explore the island. The preserve features a 1.7-mile trail called Elaine's Trail that loops around the marsh before leading to the shore. Visitors can also enjoy a 0.6-mile loop around Hutchins Island itself, but should check tide levels before crossing the sandbar.
3. Broad Point Preserve and Trail
CEDAR SWAMP BOARDWALK TREK
Broad Point Preserve and Trail offers a 1.5-mile path featuring long bog bridges through Eastern white cedar swamp. The trail leads to Broad Point with beautiful views south down Gilkeys Harbor. This easy difficulty trail takes approximately 45 minutes to complete, making it accessible for most hikers.
4. Lily Guest Trail
FOREST TO HARBOR VIEWS
The Lily Guest Trail winds through spruce, pine, and fir forested wetland, ending with views of Jones Cove overlooking Gilkeys Harbor and the Camden Hills. This 1.3-mile trail is owned by The Tarratine Club of Dark Harbor but is built and maintained by the Islesboro Islands Trust. The trail is rated easy to moderate difficulty and takes approximately 45 minutes to complete.
5. The Narrows Preserve and Trail
ISLAND-CONNECTING FOREST LOOP
The Narrows Preserve Trail is a short 0.5-mile loop located on the narrow forested isthmus that connects North and South Islesboro. This small preserve offers hikers views of Crow Cove to the west and Islesboro harbor to the east. The trail traverses through a unique ecological area where the two parts of the island join together.
6. Blueberry Hill Preserve
ORCHARDS AND COASTAL VIEWS
Blueberry Hill Preserve features a 1.5-mile trail that loops through alder swamp and forested wetland to the shore of Parker Cove. The preserve boasts blueberry fields, apple orchards, and a learning garden, offering diverse natural settings. Hikers can enjoy views of Hutchins Island and both Coombs and Parker Coves from various vantage points.
7. Herbert Preserve
TIDAL POND FOREST LOOPS
Herbert Preserve offers two short loop trails that rim the forested edges of the tidal Mill Pond. The trails provide hikers with serene views of the changing tidal ecosystem. This preserve is part of the Islesboro Islands Trust's conservation efforts to protect the island's natural heritage.
8. Hinkle Preserve
FERN PATH TO BEACH
Hinkle Preserve offers a tiny but lovely walk through ferns that leads to a beautiful beach. The beach connects to the nearby Hutchins Island and Marsh Preserve, allowing hikers to extend their journey. Though small in size, this preserve provides a peaceful natural escape with coastal access.
9. Warren Island State Park
COASTAL ISLAND CAMPING TRAILS
Warren Island State Park is located near Islesboro and offers a 1.5-mile walking trail around the island. The state park provides campsites for visitors wanting to extend their outdoor experience overnight. As an island destination, it combines hiking opportunities with camping in an idyllic Penobscot Bay setting.
10. Water Company Dam Loop
ACADIA POND PATH
Water Company Dam Loop is a 3.4-mile trail located in Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, a short distance from Islesboro by boat. This loop trail follows the Jordan Pond Path, offering spectacular views of the mountains and pristine waters. Though not on Islesboro itself, this trail represents one of the best hiking options in the broader Penobscot Bay region.