Snow has already blanketed the upper slopes of Sugarloaf and the autumn colors are fading fast most everywhere, so if you’re going to get in a few good hikes before Old Man Winter gets a firm grip on the Maine landscape, well, you’d better get out there on the trail soon.

Here’s a sampler of some of my favorite fall hikes. Be sure to pack some extra warm layers, a headlamp and spare batteries, and perhaps a thermos of hot tea, cocoa or soup. Ice creepers are a good idea, too. Have fun, be safe and enjoy.

BLUE HILL

A great way to experience the best of this 934-foot coastal monadnock is via a 6-mile loop hike that combines all or a portion of four of the five trails on the mountain, starting and ending with the Becton Trail, and including the Tower, South Face and Osgood trails. The summit ridge vista ranges from Mount Desert Island to Blue Hill Peninsula to Camden Hills. More info: Blue Hill Heritage Trust, bluehillheritagetrust.org.

CADILLAC MOUNTAIN

The 6-mile traverse of the highest peak in Acadia National Park makes for one of the longest hikes on Mount Desert Island. Start from Route 3 near Blackwoods Campground, and combine the South Ridge and North Ridge trails for a wonderful Alpine-like ramble that offers extensive ocean, island and mountain views. Must-do side trails en route include Eagles Crag and the interpretive Cadillac Summit Loop. Look for the USGS marker just off the trail 100 yards shy of the summit gift shop to officially bag this 1,528-footer. More info: www.nps.gov/acad.

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BRADBURY TO PINELAND CORRIDOR TRAIL

This ambitious conservation project links the 800-acre Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal with the 600-acre Pineland Public Reserved Land in Gray. A three-season trail is complete between the Central Maine Power line and the park. Start from the Lawrence Road trailhead and hike east to Tryon Mountain, the site of feldspar quarries. Continue to Bradbury, looping through the park via the ledges atop the mountain, then double back to Tryon. Four miles round trip. More info: Royal River Conservation Trust, www.rrct.org.

HIDDEN VALLEY NATURE CENTER

This 1,000-acre jewel encompasses one of the most ecologically diverse tracts of midcoast forestland. Some 30 miles of multi-use trails allow plenty of opportunity for exploration. Download a trail map to plan your tour, which ought to include the boardwalk at Kettle Hole Bog, Little Dyer Pond, Hermit and Two Dog huts and the Yurt. The huts and yurt are available for overnight stays,. More info: hvnc.org.

CRANBERRY PEAK

Hike to the top of the westernmost summit in the rugged Bigelow Range, a 3,194-foot perch that affords amazing views along the high Alpine ridgeline to North and South Horn, West and Avery peaks and Bigelow Mountain, and to Sugarloaf and the Crockers, Flagstaff Lake and beyond. Take the Appalachian Trail from Route 27 to join the Bigelow Range Trail near the 2,000-foot elevation mark. Turn west to skirt the pristine waters of Cranberry Pond, then climb to the top of Cranberry Peak. A steep and sometimes rough descent to Stratton village passes The Cave and Arnold’s Well. 8.5 miles total. More info: www.mainetrailfinder.com.

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MOSQUITO MOUNTAIN

This craggy 2,215-foot mountain rises west of Moxie Pond, rewarding hikers with panoramic views that range from the peaks near Moosehead Lake to Katahdin to the Bigelows. A 2-mile hike climbs at a moderate but steady grade. From Route 201 at the Kennebec River, travel east on Lake Moxie Road for 5.3 miles, then south on Troutdale Road for 1.9 miles to reach the unsigned trailhead and parking area.

Carey Kish of Bowdoin is editor of the AMC Maine Mountain Guide. Follow Carey’s adventures in his Maineiac Outdoors blog at:

mainetoday.com/blog/maineiac-outdoors


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