Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the village to the south, Mount Desert Island to the southeast, and
Castine and towns along Penobscot Bay to the west. Moderate.
Bold Coast, Cutler
: Here is another recent addition to lands open to the
public in Maine that has yet to be discovered and overrun. Its location,
way Down East in the Washington County coastal town of Cutler, also in-
sures that this preserve with spectacular rocky ocean frontage and cliffs
will probably never see large numbers of visitors.
Pickup a map from the box at the parking area along Route 191 north of
the village. This is a 1.5-mile hike through gently rolling forested terrain
to the shore. The trail ends atop a 100-foot cliff with surf crashing below
and Grand Manan Island on the horizon.
Trails continue along the five miles of shorefront, offering several dips to
the water's edge on major coves. At the three-mile mark a cutoff trail re-
turns to the road. You can continue on to Fairy Head at 3.8 miles, where
there are three rough backcountry campsites (first-come, first-served)
and a pit toilet. No fires are allowed. There is a dark water bog nearby
where you can filter water. Alternately, use rain pools in the ledges.
Deer Isle
: The Deer Isle Walking Trails Group offers a handy map show-
ing all the walking, hiking, and bicycling paths on Deer Isle. Preserves
and wildlife refuges are also shown. It costs $1 and is widely available lo-
cally or by telephoning
367-2448.
Schoodic Mountain, T-9 SD
: Schoodic Mountain is the major peak to
the northeast seen from most summits in Acadia National Park. The
1,070-foot summit is open and barren and contains the remains of an
abandoned radio antenna, generator house, and other debris. Still, the
views of the surrounding countryside make this a popular day hike desti-
nation.
The trailhead is off Route 200 between two bridges. It begins on asphalt
road and then quickly turns to dirt as it heads east, eventually crossing
an abandoned rail line. Here it turns hard right for a short ways before
breaking left and ascending in earnest. The actual trail is very steep, ex-
posed for much of the way, and very buggy in spring. Total distance is 2.5
miles, one way. The elevation gain is 1,000 feet. Moderate to strenuous.
Rock Climbing
Bar Harbor/Acadia
Atlantic Climbing School
, 24 Cottage Street (inside Cadillac
Mountain Sports), Bar Harbor 04609. Personalized rock climb-
ing instruction with courses for all abilities. Experienced climb-
ers Chris Kane and Jeff Butterfield stress safety and wilderness ethics.
