QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: 164 acres
- Trail Mileage: ~2.7 miles in network
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy to moderate
- Sights: views of the State House
You can get your aesthetic political fix here, on Howard Hill’s 164-acres, because from the overlook you’ll have a lovely view of Maine’s State House. (The true summit is 100 feet higher, with no views.)
One of the best places to access the roughly 3.7 miles of trails is from the end of Coos Lane, where you can park near the kiosk for the 8-acre Effie L. Berry Conservation Area. This small preserve provides access to the larger Howard Hill trail system.
You can also access the trails from the ends of Blaisdell Street, Ganneston Drive, Sewall Street, and Parkwood Drive. The Blaisdell Street access point is the quickest — and steepest — route to the overlook. The Sewall Street access is tucked down a private driveway.
The flagged trails are easy to follow, with maps posted at intersections. Much of the trail system is smooth and easy to walk.
Directions: From Winthrop Street in Hallowell, turn onto Coos Lane. Continue onto the end loop of the lane; you can park behind the building, close to the trailhead kiosk.
Hi—
One small quibble: the great views of the Statehouse and more aren’t at the summit. The summit is around 100 feet higher than the two overlooks, but it has no views.
Since you wrote this, some small trails and quite a few wooden benches have been added.
Jim
Hi Jim — I will make this correction! And I am excited to return to Howard Hill soon to walk the new trails. Thank you for writing.