There are many grand sights in Maine: jagged cliffs towering above crashing waves, vast forest filled with wildlife, cloud-shrouded peaks. But for a girl growing up in Oxford Hills, Maine, that world of grandeur was merely the fringes of my childhood.
We lived in Southwestern Maine on a plain surrounded by foothills, just a short drive from the lakes regions. Quiet forests, bubbling creeks, and dips in the local lake were the stuff of our lives. We didn’t live by the ocean. We didn’t eat lobster. We didn’t see moose daily. We did, however, love our own magical corner of Maine.
The modest peaks of Southwestern Maine create part of that magic. Hike Kathadin or Cadillac with my blessing! I’d love doing that myself. But linger on these humbler mountains as well, ones that are so out of the way you’ll need a local’s convoluted directions to get there.
Here are five reasons why you should hike the mountains of Southwestern Maine.
1. The journey is half the fun
The mountains of my home region aren’t always easily accessible to tourists. They are often out of the way, taking a local’s knowledge to find. Some hikes lie off quiet streets lined with country homes. No clear signs mark the paths until you are almost on top of them. Others require driving down logging routes or all-but-deserted roads. Once you find the trail, you might need to hike another 20 minutes through the woods before you reach even the foot of the mountain.
I treasure the memory of the time my father’s large extended family decided to go on a favorite hike from their childhoods. We bounced in on old logging roads that crossed several small streams. After years of disuse, the simple bridges were impassible. Not to be deterred, my family gathered scrap lumber lying near by and built makeshift bridges. Once the caravan would successfully cross a stream, we’d raid the newly made bridge for the material to build another at the next stream, leapfrogging our way forward.
2. Clean air
I never fully appreciated the air of Maine until I lived in a city with significant pollution problems. Maine, with its abundant natural resources, has little in the way of pollutants. The higher up the mountains you go, the cleaner it gets.
3. Surprises along the way
One of my favorite hikes requires a trek through the forest to reach the mountain. Before you start climbing in earnest, there’s a pristine lake nestled among the mountains. We often bring our bathing suits and enjoy a crisp swim both before and after scaling the mountain.
Maine mountains are full of charms. Grand mountain lakes tucked just around the bend and mama birds faking injury to lure you away from hidden chicks will keep you wide-eyed and breathless.
4. Wild beauty and breathtaking views
No words needed. Just enjoy.
5. Locals know best
When I travel, I’m hungry to taste how each new place would feel as home, not just as a vacation spot. The magic of a place isn’t as much in the tourist traps as it is in the daily life of the locals. What do they do for fun? What do they love?
When I was in my mid-teens, a visitor once asked me what we did for fun in such a remote country town. I was lost for words. With forests to explore, rivers to canoe, and mountains to hike, it had never occurred to me that anyone could think country life boring.
When you visit Maine, get beyond the tourist traps and find the magic that binds people to the place: quiet country walks, dips in brisk lakes, fresh air, brusque but friendly locals. Mainers aren’t genteel. They don’t go out of their way to be polite, but they’d be the first to offer a helping hand. And they’re always ready to share directions to their favorite bit of Maine.
Ask. Then listen. Maine has a lot to offer.
Words by Rachel Kaye. Photos by Ben.
Photos are of Singepole Mountain, Streaked Mountain, Bald Mountain, and Speckled Mountain