Hiking in the 57,703 acres of the Downeast Lakes Community Forest, protected and managed by the Downeast Lakes Land Trust, is an extraordinary experience. The forests and lakes are so quiet and serene, you’ll often only hear the wind and if you’re lucky, a loon or two.
To explore the forest, you could use Lakeville or Grand Lake Stream as your base. It’s best to have a high-clearance car to drive the gravel roads between trailheads. I also recommend bringing a canoe or kayak, and camping gear!, to paddle the beautiful, clear lakes of this area and perhaps stay overnight at a remote camping site.
You’ll find lots of great information at the Downeast Lakes Land Trust website, including a map of the local trails and more information about them.
- Trail to Tomorrow — A 0.6-mile loop trail in the woods, close to the Grand Lake Stream community.
- Tower Hill Trails — A 3.0-mile forested loop brings you to Bonney Brook Lake and the wooden fire tower.
- Little Mayberry Cove Trail — Walk for close to 3 miles along the shore of West Grand Lake, and hike back along logging roads for a 5-mile loop.
- Musquash Esker Trail — A beautiful and fascinating accessible trail along an esker that extends into a large fen. Views of Amazon Mountain and Big Musquash Stream.
- Wabassus Mountain — A 0.8-mile moderate hike up a small forested mountain. Best perhaps in winter for views through trees.
- Pineo Peaks Trail — You have a choice of hiking to an interesting collection of toppled boulders around an imposing granite ridge, with caves and tunnels to explore, or you could head along the lakeshore to a remote campsite.
- Pocumcus Lake Trail — Two short loops bring hikers to lake lookouts.
- Dawn Marie Beach Path — A 0.3-mile trail to a lovely sandy beach and picnic table.
- Dobsis Narrows Trail — Walk an easy half mile through a mossy forest along a quiet lake to a remote campsite.
- Horseshoe Lake Trail — Another short lakeside trail, this one edges Horseshoe Lake.