Widely known for its hiking, the Rangeley area has many trails throughout the region for hikers of all abilities.

The following hiking trails listed here are some of the most scenic and most popular.

Angel Falls

An easy to moderate (brook crossings) 1.5 mile round trip hike with an elevation gain of 200 feet and an average hiking time of two hours round trip.

Directions:

Option 1: From Oquossoc, take Rt. 17 south for about 18.5 miles to Houghton.  Turn right onto an unnamed gravel road (adjacent to a large open field).  Immediately cross a bridge over the Swift River, then turn right onto Bemis Road and drive north for about 3.5 miles.  This is a gravel road that can be very rough, use caution.  Look for a small parking area and trail sign on left.

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Option 2: From Oquossoc, take Rt. 17 south for 3.7 miles.  Turn right on to Herbie Welch Road (across from South Shore Drive).  Go almost a mile to a four-way intersection.  Turn left onto Bemis Road.  Drive about 11 miles south on Bemis Road.  This is a gravel road that can have some rough spots, use caution.  There is a sign on the right marking the trail.  Park along the road.

Trail Description: Walk, do not drive and follow a dirt road downhill through gravel pit keeping an eye out for red blazes.  Cross Berdeen Stream, the bear left and continue following the trail (red blazed) through the woods to Mountain Brook.  The trail follows the brook up stream and crosses (rock hops) the brook three times before you come to the falls.  Use caution as stream crossings can be slippery and can even be dangerous or impassable during high water.  Angel Falls, with a 90 foot plunge, in one of the most impressive waterfalls in Maine.

Bald Mountain

A two and a half miles round trip  hike with an elevation gain of 900 feet and an average hiking time of three hours round trip.

Directions:  From Rangeley, travel west on Rt.4 for seven miles. Travel through the center of Oquossoc Village heading towards Mooselookmeguntic Lake/Haines Landing.  Approximately one mile turn left onto the Bald Mountain Road.  Go 8/10 of a mile, parking lot is on the left.

Trail Description: The trail (blue blazed) begins with a gradual ascent through forest, and then climbs up rock and ledge to the summit. There are outstanding views from the “hiker’s tower” at the summit.

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East Kennebago Mountain

Directions:  Ten miles east of Rangeley on Rt. 16 turn left on gravel road. Cross bridge, take right. At fork go left, take second right, park (6 miles total from bridge). A post with many snowmobile trail signs marks trailhead. Look for sign for E. Kennebago.

Description: Trail is good for mountain bikes…less than 6 miles.

Mingo Springs Trail and Bird Walk

Directions:

From the East – From the intersection of ME Routes 4 and 16 in downtown Rangeley, head north on ME Route 4 for 2.2 miles and turn left onto Mingo Loop Road.  Continue 0.4 miles on Mingo Loop Road and turn left onto Alpine Way.  The trailhead parking area is on your left.

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From the West- From the intersection of ME Routes 4 and 17 in Oquossoc Village, Rangeley, head south on ME Route 4 approximately 4.5 miles and turn right onto Mingo Loop Road.  (A first entrance to Mingo Loop Road will be on the right at about 1.8 miles from the intersection; proceed past this to the second entrance).  Continue 0.4 miles on Mingo Loop Road and turn left onto Alpine Way.  The trail head parking area is on your left.

Trail Description:  This four seasons trail is a three mile loop around Mingo Springs Golf Course.  The two mile loop around the back nine is marked with red blazes.  The one mile loop around the front nine is marked with blue blazes.  On level to rolling terrain, the trail features a vernal pool, stretches of hardwood forest, a cedar swamp, pastures scattered with spruce and fir and a mature stand of softwoods.  Benches along the trail provide places for rest and reflection.  Mingo Springs Golf Course is a member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program.  The trail, suitable for all ages, is a great place for viewing wildlife and wildflowers, as well as early morning bird walks.  This is a carry-in, carry-out trail.  Dogs on leashes are permitted; owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.  Trail maps, restrooms, food and beverages are available at Mingo Springs Golf Course Pro Shop mid-May through mid-October.

Mountain Pond

A moderate three mile round trip hike with an elevation gain of 600 feet and an average hiking time of three hours round trip.

Directions: From Rangeley follow Rt. 4 south for 4.5 miles.  Turn right onto the Edelheid Road and proceed about a half mile to utility pole #13.  The trail head is on the right.  Park along the road.

Trail Description: The trail (red blazed) begins with a gentle climb, crosses under a power line, and continues up a wooded hillside to a gravel road.  The trail doglegs right for about 100 yards along the logging road then turns left and re-enters the woods again.  Follow the trail up through the woods and into a coniferous forest.  The trail turns right, climbs along a wooded ridge and descends to the shore where there is a nice spot for a “picnic by the pond”.

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Rangeley Lakes Trails Center

Directions: From Rangeley, travel south on Rt. 4 for approximately one mile and take a left onto Dallas Hill Road.  Travel the Dallas Hill Road for seven miles and take a right onto the Saddleback Mountain Road.  The Rangeley Lakes Trail Center is 2.5 miles up, on the left.

Trail Description; Rangeley’s premiere cross-country ski center offers seven miles of hiking trails for mountain biking, hiking, strolling and nature watching,

Saddleback Mountain

Directions:  From Rangeley head south on Rt. 4 for approximately one mile and take a left onto Dallas Hill Road.  Travel seven miles and take a left onto the Saddleback Mountain Road for approximately four miles.  Base lodge is on the left.

Trail Description:  The hike to the summit of Saddleback Mountain begins at the Base Lodge and follows the road up the Wheeler Slope to the Gray Ghost and Tri Color trails. Tri Color will bring you to the top of the Kennebago Quad, where a short, narrow trail behind the upper building leads to Saddleback’s summit. Note: Temperatures at the summit are significantly cooler.  Please check at the Base Lodge for additional hiking trails

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Smalls’ Falls

Directions: From Rangeley travel south on Rt. 4 for 12 miles.  Area is on the right.

Trail Description: Picnic area, scenic spot. Cross footbridge. Trail goes along stream to other falls. Children love this area.

Spencer Pond

An easy, one mile round trip hike with an elevation gain of 300 feet and average hiking time of one hour round trip.

Directions: From Oquossoc follow Rt. 17 south for 12.7 miles (9.1 miles south from the State Park Road/South Shore Drive).  The trailhead is on the left, where there is a small parking area.

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Trail Description: The trail (red blazed) is a gentle climb along a wide, grassy, old woods road.  After about a half mile the trail joins a gravel road.  Keep to the right and follow the red blazes.  Shortly, a metal gate blocks the road.  Do not open the gate.  Walk around the gate and continue a short way, then take a right down to the shore of the pond where the trail ends.

Wilhelm Reich Museum Walking Trails

Directions: From Rangeley travel on Rt. 4 for 3.6 miles.  Take a right onto Dodge Pond Road.  Museum entrance is approximate 4/10th of a mile on the left.

Trail Description: The trails are open year-round, but please call ahead for weekend use. Trails are a series of interconnecting loops featuring self-guided nature trail, bird watching area, and educational stations. Picnic tables

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CONSERVATION LAND HIKING TRAILS

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Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust (www.rlht.org) maintains traditional public access and uses of the land for recreation, education, and scientific study. We offer free public access to 35 miles of recreational trails, superb recreational fishing, hunting, hiking, and snowmobiling as well as multiple picnic & landing sites on our 35 separate parcels.

Practice Leave No Trace. If a trail needs attention or you would like to become a Trail Steward, contact Alyssa Andrews, Natural Resource Steward, at 864-7311 x105 or aandrews@rlht.org.

Hunter Cove Wildlife Sanctuary

This trail system winds through 100 acres of forested land on Rangeley Lake’s Hunter Cove. This is a great area for families, bird watching, snowshoeing, and photography.

HCWS provides habitat for a host of song birds, wading birds, and amphibians, and features a critically important deer wintering area. In 2004, Maine Audubon donated the property to RLHT to ensure its sustained stewardship. In 2020, it was listed on the Rangeley Lakes Birding Trail, a list of birding hotspots.

Location: Town of Rangeley

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Directions: Route 4, 4.5 miles north of Rangeley, or 3 miles south of Oquossoc. Accessible via boat in Hunter Cove.

Trail Description: Two miles of easy, flat trails with several “loop” options.

Tips: The Red Trail has been partially closed on the far side. If you take the Red Trail prepare to loop back to the parking area via the green or blue trails. There is extensive bog bridging which calls for sturdy shoes and shore-footedness.

Rangeley River Conservation Area

This property has a long history of recreational use, including fishing, hunting, and biking that continues today. The trail provides access for anglers, bikers and snowmobilers. At the bridge there is a picnic table and an outhouse.

Location: Oquossoc Village

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Directions: Access by Hatchery Road (behind Oquossoc Grocery) or via Route 16.

Trail Description: One mile of easy trail suitable for walking, running, skiing, snowshoeing, biking, snowmobiling.

Hatchery Brook Preserve

This is our most popular trail! It winds through wetlands, meanders the shoreline of Russell Cove and flows into Hatchery Brook on over 50 acres of land. There is a newly widened bog-bridging to allow for biking and strollers.

Location:  Rangeley

Directions: Located on Manor Road. The parking areas is 1/4 mile in on the right. Accessible by boat Hatchery Brook is on the west shore of Rangeley Lake’s City Cove.

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Trail Description: Easy hike on a flat 1.5-mile loop trail with a cut-through.

Cascade Stream Gorge

Another hugely popular trail! This classic Maine trail is rugged, rocky, and rooty. Leaving the parking lot, it’s about 0.3 mile to a powerline crosses Cascade Stream that creates a large swath of open space AND the first access to the stream. The shallow pools here are perfect for sunbathing.

Keep going and soon you will see braided trails leading the various pools. The first waterfall drop can’t be missed – make sure to snap a picture! Continuing on will bring you to a split in the trail. The right trail goes to the Gorge and has two more waterfall drops. The left trail continues on, getting steeper, ultimately connecting to the Fly Rod Crosby Trail.

Location:  Sandy River Plantation

Directions: Located on Townhall Road

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Trail Description: 1.5-miles along the bedrock shores of the gorge.

Tips: This hike provides excellent opportunities for photographing wildlife, the scenic falls, and a host of plants. Sturdy, non-slip footwear and special attention to small children are a must!

Forest Legacy Trail

The Forest Legacy Trail is located on a 1,200-acre parcel that lies on the western shores of Mooselookmeguntic and Cupsuptic Lakes. It offers 10 miles of interconnecting trails of that range from easy to difficult.

There are shorefront campsites that are managed Cupsuptic Lake Part and Campground and the Stephen Phillips Memorial Preserve.

Location: Adamstown

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Directions: On Route 16, from Oquossoc drive 9.1 miles and take a left onto Mud Pond Road. The parking area is 0.5-miles further. Accessible by boat from Haines Landing and boating directly across the lake. The trail head is marked by a boat dock.

Trail Description: The trails consist of gently sloping hills and interesting outcrops as well as several steep passes that require time, energy and a plan.

Tips: Follow trail markers. Reservations for camping can be made by calling CLPC at 207-864-5249 or Stephens Phillips Memorial Preserve at 207-864-2003.

Bonney Point Conservation Area

Here you will find primarily forested land interspersed with rolling fields and meadows. With over ½ mile of frontage on Rangeley Lake, the property provides diverse habitat for song birds, wading birds, amphibians, beaver, bear, deer and moose. The Y shaped trail offers very different habitats to explore.

Located in: Town of Rangeley

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Directions: Located on Bonney Point Road the parking area is approximately 0.75-miles on left.

Trail Description:  2-mile loop, easy hiking

South Bog Conservation Area

A true working forest, SBCA consists of 1,000 acres of primarily forested uplands surrounding South Bog stream. There are extensive bog wetlands and ledge outcrops offering expansive views of Rangeley Lake.

From the parking area, one can follow an interpretive trail was constructed in or cross the bridge to find the trailhead.

Location:  Rangeley Plantation

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Directions: Located on South Shore Drive. The parking area is west of Rangeley Lakes State Park.

Trail Description: There is an easy interpretive trail. Crossing the bridge, there is an additional 4-5 miles of trail.

Height of Land / Bemis Stream

Located along the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway and bordering the Maine Bureau of Public Lands, the Appalachian Trail, Mooselookmeguntic Lake and Bemis Stream, the “Height of Land” parcel is identified on virtually every map, tour guide, brochure and web site that focuses on the Rangeley Lakes region.

There are stunning views of Mooselookmeguntic Lake, the Richardson Lakes and the White Mountains, this forested lake landscape provides the perfect setting for artists, visitors and all who appreciate spectacular scenery.

Location:  Township D

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Directions:  12 miles south on Route 17 from Oquossoc Village

Trail Description: 2.2-mile roundtrip (hike down along the AT from HOL and then return on the same trail)

Tips: The first 300 yards are quite steep and hikers should use caution on this portion of the AT. But then a less rigorous grade descends through verdant forest and passes clear freshets to the banks of Bemis Stream. Excellent opportunities to see wildlife and a variety of plant species.

Stephanie Chu-O’Neil

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CONSIDER JOINING A T.R.A.C. OUTING!

If you hesitate to go it alone, you might want to join the local T.R.A.C. group for one of their bi-weekly outings. Depending on the day and the destination, the group consists of year round locals, summer residents and of course the occasional vacationer. The group of hiking enthusiasts meet on Tuesdays and Fridays of each week and always welcomes newcomers. Although most of the outings are strictly hiking, some outings might include biking or kayaking.

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On Tuesdays they meet at the Rangeley Chamber parking lot and on Fridays they meet up at the Oquossoc kiosk parking lot.  After that the group can head out together. If you are interested you should definitely check with group president Jeff Zapolsky to see if this is a good fit for you by emailing him at rangeleytrac@gmail.com. You may also check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TrailsforRangeleyAreaCoalition/

T.R.A.C. group

 

RANGELEY LAKES TRAILS CENTER

The Rangeley Lakes Trails Center has something for everyone in the summer! Located at the base of Saddleback Mountain and on the shores of Saddleback Lake, the Trails Center has over 30 miles of trails for hiking, dog walking, biking, nature walks and birding. Picnic tables are located throughout the trails system and serve as rest stops during your outing. A fun attraction for kids of all ages is the Gnome Home Roam, an adventurous journey to find the gnome homes located throughout the Trails Center and in the Gnome Village. This outdoor art project is a collaboration between the talented student artists at the Rangeley Lakes Regional School and a local band of carpenters. The Gnome Village was completed last season and is located just a short distance from the yurt lodge.

One of the most popular trail loops for summer hiking is the Lake Trail to Picnic Point, coming back on the Geneva Loop. Tote Road is fun for beginner bikers. Birding opportunities are available on the single track trails near Saddleback Lake. Wherever you roam, you’ll be surrounded by cold mountain streams, native wildflowers, and the beauty of a northern forest. Trail maps can be found at the yurt kiosk for all of your summer adventures.

 

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