There’s an old, dog-eared copy of “Walden” in this hiker’s library, a treasured book that I’ve had since my youth. I still refer often to those thoughtful words of Henry David Thoreau on economy, simplicity, nature, seasons, reading, solitude and wildlife penned after two years of simple living in a one-room cabin at Walden Pond from 1845-47.

Over the years, Thoreau’s writing has inspired millions with greater awareness of and respect for the natural environment, and as such, Walden Pond in Concord, Mass., is considered by many to be the birthplace of the conservation movement. I am certainly one of those so inspired; perhaps you are too.

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Walden Pond in Concord, Mass., is considered by many to be the birthplace of the conservation movement. Carey Kish photos

A bronze statue of Thoreau stands in front of a replica of his cabin at Walden Pond State Reservation.

Thoreau’s connection to Maine is legendary. The author and naturalist made three trips to the state during his lifetime in search of wild country: to Mount Katahdin in 1846; to Chesuncook Lake in 1853; and finally a grand circuit in 1857 that included Moosehead Lake, Chamberlain Lake and the West and East Branches of the Penobscot River. An account of these journeys was published posthumously in 1864. Entitled “The Maine Woods,” it is a true Maine classic.

Captured as I’ve been by Thoreau’s writing, I had never visited the revered Walden Pond. Late last year, however, I finally decided that if Thoreau could travel to Maine, then I too could make the trip south. It would be a pilgrimage of sorts, a chance to walk in his footsteps and perhaps experience some of what he might have more than 150 years ago.

Walden Pond State Reservation is a 462-acre preserve of open space just 18 miles west of Boston. The central feature of the place is Walden Pond, a 109-foot deep glacial kettle hole. On its northeast shore is a sand beach, and just beyond, across Route 126, there is parking and a visitor center and gift shop. Here also is a replica of Thoreau’s tiny cabin, complete with the simple furnishings of the time, and a bronze statue of Thoreau himself.

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it has to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived,” wrote Thoreau in “Walden,” words that echoed in my head as my wife and I started on the trail around the pond.

The reservation is criss-crossed with miles of walking trails — from foot paths to country lanes — that lead through the woods to hilltops, meadows and fields. One can easily spend an entire day wandering around getting to know the character of the place and its wild residents.

The Pond Path is delightful, hugging the shore and offering frequent views over the water. Just above Thoreau’s Cove is the original site of Thoreau’s cabin, and we stood for a long while at what would have been his doorstep and looked through the trees down to the pond.

Thoreau often had visitors like us but preferred his own space and the solitude of his own company, writing, “I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself that to be crowded on a velvet cushion.”

Beyond, the path continued to Ice Fort Cove and thence to Little Cove. Here we took a jaunt just uphill to the Esker Trail, and this we followed up to the crag on Emerson’s Cliff and a view of the surrounding hills. Descending the back side, we trundled on past Heywood’s Meadow, insects buzzing and birds chirping, back to the pond at Long Cove.

The afternoon shadows grew long as we ambled toward the main beach and the hike’s end. At this point in the day, satisfied by an afternoon’s wanderings, Thoreau might’ve headed to his cabin to kindle a fire, cook a simple meal and relax with book or journal by candlelight until a contented slumber arrived. Modern day Thoreau wannabes, we could only get into the car for the drive back to Maine, happy nonetheless with our brief time on Thoreau’s grounds.

Of his time at Walden Pond, Thoreau concluded, “I learned this, at least, by my experiment; that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”

Carey Kish of Bowdoin is a freelance writer and avid hiker. Send comments and hike suggestions to:

MaineOutdoors@aol.com

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