hiking in Maine

Maine offers a wide variety of hiking opportunities  for both the beginner to avid hiker and the Center Lovell Inn is just a short drive to great hiking trails, and not far from the White Mountain National Forest, bordering Maine and New Hampshire and near the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

Several Great Hiking Trails To Explore

If you are looking to get up-close and personal with the great outdoors,  you will be delighted to discover there’s a terrific network of hiking trails  within a 2 to 30 minute drive of our Bed & Breakfast.  The Greater Lovell Land Trust (GLLT)  in association with the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands protects and maintains more than 5,000 acres across 17 properties with developed public access. GLLT also  provide public access to the summit of Sabattus Mountain, the highest point in Lovell, only five minutes form the Center Lovell Inn.

Hike through a cool pine forest along side a babbling brook, then traverse over an ancient stone wall carpeted with green moss  at “Chip Stockford Reserve” leading to a spectacular wildlife and bird viewing point along the shoreline on “Heald Pond;” afterward, weave through an old Hemlock forest at “Wilson Wing Moose Pond Bog Preserve” and climb your way up  the summit  to claim your visual prize…  “Sabattus Mountain“. . . offering spectacular views of the White Mountains and Kezar Lake Region.

Another wonderful nearby hike is Jockey Cap;  a sort steep hike up an enormous 200 plus foot high glazier boulder offering panoramic views of Lovewell Pond and the mountains of Maine and New Hampshire. And don’t forget “Back Pond Reserve” sited as  “one of the most spectacular views in the region.”

Below is   information about the Maine hiking trails located near and around the inn.  Be sure to research trails in advance for the latest info on  weather conditions, the current condition of the trail and be sure to get the exact location and best directions.  Also, be prepared,  eat well, dress appropriately and stay hydrated.  Hiking trail maps are also available at the guesthouse.  Please ask.

Hiking in Maine / New Hampshire Border

Sabattus Mountain — the highest point in Lovell

A quick, easy & fun 1.4 miles loop.  One of a number of wonderful Greater Lovell Land Trust trails nearby. The Sabattus summit  is located on the tallest mountain in Lovell,  just 1.5 mile up the road from the Inn. This trail is named after a Pequawket Indian named Sabatos who in the 1700s killed a lynx with one shot as it was about to pounce on him. The trail provides a 1.4 miles loop to a 1253′ summit offering spectacular views of the White Mountains to the west and the Lakes Region of Maine to the south.

The loop can be taken in either direction.  Go counter clockwise for a nice, quick scenic ‘cardio’ walk up on a well-worn trail that gets steeper and steeper as you ascend to the top.  Or take it clockwise  if you wish for a more gradual climb.  The mixed-growth forest on the way up  gives way to tall hemlock and pine trees,  wild flowers, ferns and other flora. It’s a self-guided tour with   a number of signs identifying  local plants.

At the top take rest on a lovely bench while taking in the awesome views.  You may consider bringing along lunch and a nice bottle of wine because once you’re there, you will want to savor views.

To get to the trailhead, follow Route 5 north from the Inn, turn right onto Sabattus Road.  After 1.5 miles, take the right fork onto a dirt road. Pass a well-kept white house and drive .5 mile to a trailhead parking area.   View Sabattus Mountain Trail Map and Info.

Heald and Bradley Ponds Reserve

A moderate – advance, 9 miles of trail. Located a few miles north of Sabattus Mountain, this 802-acre reserve includes over a mile of beautiful shoreline on Heald Pond and over half a mile on Bradley Pond.  The property contains three peaks with views–955-foot Amos Mountain at the north, 801-foot Whiting Hill at the south and 891-foot Flat Hill over Bradley Pond in the east.

It is a terrain of forests, streams, hills, and wetlands. There are  three nice scenic vistas and a network of over 9 miles of trails.  View Heald and Bradley Ponds Reserve Trail Map and Info.

Sucker Brook Outlet Reserve

A moderate, 2.4 miles round trip. This trail is located  on a 249 acre reserve.  Great for spotting  wildlife and excellent bird viewing opportunities from  the shore of Sucker Brook.  This reserve is home to  several native waterfowl and wetland dependent animals,  including northern harrier, merlin, pied-billed grebe, and numerous other duck species, osprey,  turtles, bald eagle, and beaver.   The upland forest supports coyote, red fox, cooper’s hawk, deer, moose, and turkey to name a few.  View Sucker Brook Outlet Reserve Trail Map and Info.

Bishop Cardinal’s Reserve and Wilson Wing Moose Pond Bog Preserve 

An easy, 1.8 mile loop. These two adjacent conservation areas offer easy hiking in mixed hardwood forests, through old hemlock stands (some of the largest and oldest hemlocks in the area), and along varied wetland habitat. This area offers excellent wildlife viewing; home to black bear, moose, dear and several species of songbirds song bird. View Bishop Cardinal’s Reserve and Wilson Wing Moose Pond Bog Preserve Trail Map and Information.

Back Pond Reserve

An easy to moderate, 2.1 miles. This 249 acre reserve hosts two trails: Ron’s Loop is an easy trail through diverse habitat for all ages and abilities, and The Mountain Trail is a moderately difficult round trip ascent to one of the most spectacular views in the region of Kezar River Valley, the Five Kezar Ponds, and the White Mountains. View Back Pond Reserve Trail Map and Information.

Kezar River Reserve

An easy, 1 mile loop.  The 114 acre reserve hosts a canoe/kayak launch and a 1 mile, relatively flat loop except where it traverses one of five awesome ravines created by headward erosion. This is a nice walk through both forest, wetlands and wildlife habitats. This area supports deer, moose, fox, black beer, owls, hawks, wood peckers, songbirds and a large variety of waterfowl including loons.  Trail markers include artwork from local elementary school students. View Kezar River Reserve Trail Map and Information.

Jockey Cap Rock

The trail head to this short and sweet (or sweat) .8 miles round trip hike is located in the heart of Fryeburg town offering fantastic panoramic views of Lovewell Pond and the mountains of Maine and New Hamphire; Parking is near Quinn’s Jockey Cap Country Store:  The perfect little shop with everything — drinks (soft drink, beer, wine, liquor), food (pizza, sandwiches, hot meals) and lots of goodness for your sweet tooth (whoopie pies, cakes, chocolate, ice cream, etc.).  Also near by is the Saco River Brewery for excellent freshly brewed ales and stouts.   You will be hiking up   a 200 foot plus high enormous ‘rock’   deposited in the Saco River valley by long ago glaciers.  It once  had a ledge that resembled a visor that gave the boulder its name Jockey Cap, however, it fell off many years ago.  This was the location to Maine’s first ferried ski lift, opened back in 1936;  costing only $1 per day lift tickets.

On the tip top of Jockey Cap there is a bronze and granite monument that shows the name of the mountains seen in the panoramic views.  This monument–a work of art–was dedicated to Admiral Robert Edwin Perry.

Seen just below the boulder  is the Molly Ockett Middle School, named for Molly Ockett, one of the last Pequawket Indians in the area.  Molly was a popular go-to healing and medicine women for the area.  Trail head GPS -116 Bridgton Rd, Fryeburg, ME 04037

Greater Lovell Land Trust

They can provide trail maps for the 1,685 acres of forests and wetlands under its protection. Visit the link below to access online printable trail maps, best printed on legal sized paper or download and view on your smart phone.  You can also visit them in person for printed versions.  Contact: 207-925-1056  / Greater Lovell Land Trust.

Blueberry Mountain & Rattlesnake Pool Loop

A moderate – 3.9 mile loop.  From woodland to panoramic ridge-top views, scenic picnic spots to picking wild blueberries, plus a short side trial to emerald green Rattlesnake Pool — “one of the most idyllic, clear, and alluring swimming holes” around — this trail loop covers all the bases.   It is an uphill,  often steep climb to the top of Blueberry Mountain, however,  at 2890 feet in elevation, the  360 degree views of the Maine High Peaks Region from Blueberry Mountain’s summit is  rewarding.

Directions: From Fryeburg, Maine, take Route 113 North for 19.4 miles to Stone House Rd. (formerly Shell Pond Road); this will be 0.7 miles north of AMC Cold River Camp. Take a right onto Stone House Road, and follow for 1.1 miles to a locked gate with a small parking area on the right. For more info. visit outdoors.org. & mainetrailfinder.com.

Baldface Circle Trail in Evans Notch

A challenging  9.8 mile loop.  Trail head is a 25 minutes drive, 16 miles. Deemed  the most magnificent hikes in the White Mountains in terms of breathtaking views.  The trail head is located on the northeastern corner of the Whites near the New Hampshire and Maine border. It is a challenging 9.8 mile loop, up the Baldfaces — the two most challenging summits in the Evans Notch area.  This hike is rerecorded for experienced hikers. Take extra precaution if hiking during the winter because you’ll be in the unprotected alpine zone where  high winds and extreme cold conditions can be inhospitable.   Bald face trail head GPS:   South Baldface, Chatham, NH 03813. For more info. visit SectionHiker.

Burnt Meadow Mountain Trail

A moderate 3.6 mile loop. The trail is located near Brownfield, Maine, about 30 minutes from the Inn.  There are two trails that lead to the summit; the Blue Trail (North Peak Trail) will get you to the summit faster, albeit for advanced hikers because of the steep ascend and rock face climbing, about 4 hours round trip; The Yellow Trail (Twin Brooks Trail) is longer but more gradual going up to summit, about 4 hours round trip.   The Trail head GPS:  400 Spring St, Brownfield, ME 04010. For more info. visit AllTrails.

White Mountain National Forest — Lord Hill Network

A moderate, 7 miles network of trails. These trails access Pine and Lord Hills which provide interesting views for a moderate effort. The summits can be approached from multiple directions, using various trails that allow for several loop options.  View  White Mountain National Forest — Lord Hill Network Trail Map and Information.

White Mountain National Forest — Mount Chocorua Hiking Trails

A network of several heavily used scenic trails consisting of the Champney Falls Trail, Piper Trail, and Liberty Trail.  Mt Chocorua is one of New Hampshire’s most frequently hiked and well known  mountain.  The summit of Mt Chocorua is 3,490 feet.   Some of the other trails also traverse the Three Sisters (First Sister 3,354′, Middle Sister 3,340′, Third Sister 3,320′).  The Champney Falls Trail, Piper Trail, and Liberty Trail.   Any of the round trip options to the summit are over 7 miles and will take 6 or more hours. Recommended for strong hiker only.   Please map out your destination prior to visiting.  Use the following resource:

Hiking Trails

Bickford Brook Trail to Speckled Mountain 

(moderate – advance, 8.2 miles network). This trail affords hikers numerous views of water falls, flumes, boulder brooks and other unusually beauty features of Bickford Brook. It can be ascended by the Bickford Brook, Spruce Hill, Cold Brook, Red Rock and Blueberry Ridge trails, and is a popular day hike. The summit of Speckled Mountain consists of open ledges with excellent views from  the 2,887′ elevation.    White Mountain National Forest — Speckled Mountain Trail Map and Information.

Mount Washington Observatory 

Mount Washington, called Agiocochook by some Native American tribes, is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States at 6,288 ft and the most prominent mountain east of the Mississippi River. (Wiki).  The summit is accessible seasonally by car (via the Mt. Washington Auto Road), train (via the Mt. Washington Cog Railway), and foot (via several hiking trails).   Mt. Washington State Park is open whenever the Auto Road and Cog Railway are open, which is generally mid-May through mid-October.

According to Mount Washington Observatory in summer, more than a quarter million people visit Mount Washington by car, train, or foot.  But in winter, the extreme weather conditions, i.e., wind, ice, and snow requires a  technical mountaineering ascent to reach the top. Unless,  you’re on a Mount Washington Observatory trip!

To plan your trip to Mt. Washington State Park visit: Mount Washington Observatory.

Height of Land

A spectacular place with an incomparable scenic view…. if one can locate it.   There’s no official sign or designation marking the exact location.  You’ll know when you’re there when the land  sharply drops off to the west and the view opens up to the far edges of the Maine mountains at the New Hampshire border and then WOW; You’re speechless… captivated by the unreal view.  Height of Land is located on top of Spruce Mountain in Rageley about 1 hour from the Inn.  Set your GPS to:  Maine State Route 17.   For more info. Height of Land.

Maine By Foot

An excellent well documented site to the best hiking trails in Maine hands down!  This site breaks down trails by  county / town,  whether a trails has hills, mountains,  waterfalls, swimming holes, and a few wheelchair friendly walking trails too.  The trails are properly mapped-out with  pins at the trail-heads of the parking lots. to help you locate them.  Although the included  trail maps are on the  rough side, they are sure to  be helpful in getting you to the the location.   More accurate walking maps are usually available at most trail head kiosks.   Maine By Foot.

Maine Trail Finder

– is a free online resource for people-powered trails in the state of Maine. Search a growing database of four-season trails to find the right trail for your next adventure. Browse their interactive trail maps, trail descriptions, pictures, and trip reports. Maine Trail Finder.

Hiking tips

Since Mountain summits are almost always cooler than the base, remember to bring an extra sweater / jacket / windbreaker or fleece sweater depending on the time of year.  Also, beware of ticks, common from April through June in our area. They live in open places with tall grass or brush. Tuck pant legs into socks and wear long sleeves. After your hike, always check for ticks, especially behind the ears and hairline.  And, please don’t feed the wild animals.