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The South Peak of Bauneg Beg Mountain rises to an elevation of 866 feet in the northern  reaches of North Berwick. Ledge outcrops amid the semi-open woods of pine and oak afford far-reaching views southwest to the hills of southern New Hampshire, southeast to Mount Agamenticus, and east to the Atlantic Ocean. The panorama is a pretty sweet reward for the mild effort of just under a mile of hiking with 350 feet of elevation gain. 

Several years ago, I had the pleasure of joining folks from the Great Works Regional Land Trust for a reconnaissance hike to the mountain’s south peak. The trust had recently purchased the 75-acre parcel and a formal trail system was still in the planning stages. We followed flags of surveyor’s tape and the footsteps of staff members who had previously explored the varied terrain. On top, we paused in the bright sun to admire the big vista. 

“The summit ledges are amazing,” said Jill Crosbie, GWRLT’s stewardship director, in a recent interview. “The south peak burned in the 1950s but has grown up again and we’ve done some selective pruning to restore the views. It’s a beautiful thing to progress through the deciduous forest, then the hemlock groves and finally to the granite summit. The lichens there are fragile and we’re using signage to educate hikers to stay on the trail.”

Much of the new trail system on Bauneg Beg’s South Peak was constructed by a cadre of dedicated volunteers, while the technical work was completed by the Maine Conservation Corps during the summer of 2025. Boardwalks, bridges, switchbacks, blazes, trail signs — they’re all in place to lead you through all the natural beauty in a sustainable way. 

Bauneg Beg Mountain Conservation Area South was officially opened to the public last autumn, and a few weeks later I visited to hike the 2 miles of color-coded trails. What a difference three years have made, I thought as I enjoyed the walk and considered the time from start to finish for such a project, which in this case was nearly a decade. A granite bench on the summit honors the Thompson Family, who chose a legacy of conservation for their beloved mountain property. It’s a nice spot, for sure, to rest and reflect. 

The Summit Trail is the winding route to the south peak from the trailhead on Ford Quint Road. The short Cliff Edge Trail leads along the precipice just below the top, while the Oak Trail descends the back side of the mountain out to the discontinued, but publicly accessible, Hartford Lane. Future plans call for building another section—the  Black Diamond Trail—to connect the Oak and Summit trails and create a nice loop hike. 

Not connected but less than a quarter-mile to the north is GWRLT’s Bauneg Beg Conservation Area North. Acquired 25 years ago, these 89 acres protect the 850-foot Middle Peak of Bauneg Mountain. Abutting this is a 9-acre chunk of land owned by the town of North Berwick, within which is the mountain’s 828-foot North Peak. Altogether, five trails totaling 2 miles of hiking reach the rocks of the Devil’s Den as well as the summit ledges, where views northwest to Mount Washington and the Presidential Range are possible. 

This year, the Great Works Regional Land Trust marks 40 years of conservation and stewardship. Along with its many great conservation partners, there’s certainly a lot to celebrate, including more than 8,000 acres of natural, historic, agricultural, forestry, scenic and recreational resources on 22 properties across the towns of Eliot, South Berwick, Berwick, North Berwick, Wells and Ogunquit. For hikers, that amounts to a bounty of some 39 miles of trails to wander hither and yon across the area’s lovely landscape. 

“We couldn’t do what we do without the personal connections we have with our communities, the various funding sources such as Land for Maine’s Future, and our precious volunteers,” said Crosbie. “This is an ecologically diverse region of the state. There’s a lot population and development pressure. We’re working hard to preserve the regional character we love, to protect places for people to recreate and enjoy nature.” 

Bravo, friends, bravo! So pack your day pack, lace up your boots and get on down to this part of York County for a good look-see at what the fine peeps at GWRLT have been up to. 

Carey Kish of Mount Desert Island is a Triple Crown hiker, freelance writer and author of three hiking guides. Connect with Carey on Facebook and Instagram and at [email protected].