QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: 392 acres
- Trail Mileage: 1.4 miles one way
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy to moderate
- Sights: cemetery
By Sam Shirley
This 392 acre Androscoggin Land Trust property in Canton features a 1.4-mile multi-use trail following a discontinued road over the shoulder of Academy Hill. From the end of the maintained portion of Alden Hill Road, the trail follows a section of what is now a logging road for a little over half a mile. This section passes by an abandoned house soon after entering the woods, followed by tiny Alden Hill Cemetery.
Passing a kiosk and bollards, the trail enters the conservation area and ascends to a low saddle between Academy Hill and another hill to the east. As the trail descends to the south through hardwood forest, it passes between a pair of old cellar holes. There is also an old well near the cellar hole on the east side of the trail. The trail levels out and crosses a bridge before reaching its southern end at another old woods road. Another tiny cemetery, this one called Alden Cemetery is located at the southern end of the trail.
Directions: From Crash Road in Jay, follow Alden Hill Road west. At approximately 2.3 miles from Crash Road, you will reach the end of the town maintained road. Limited parking is available here. Be sure not to block driveways or mailboxes.
