QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: 444 acres
- Trail Mileage: 2.1 miles one way
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy to moderate
- Sights: spruce-fir forests, Hurds Pond
You can walk from Swan Lake Ave. (Route 141) to Oak Hill Road, an approximately 2.1-mile (one way) trail on Coastal Mountain Land Trust’s protected 444-acre block here. The trail starts off on an overgrown little path, but gets easier to walk past the bog boards. Then you walk through pretty regenerating forest to the wetlands around Hurd’s Pond. There’s a picnic table at the mid-way point, by the brook.
The second half, I found, from the brook to Route 141, was quite tricky. The stream crossing was difficult, and there are some medium-sized rocks to clamber over. Additionally, I waded through thigh-high weeds and wet patches. The trail could use some more bog boards and/or boardwalks and bridges. Perhaps that is in the works?
Directions: From Route One in Belfast, head north on High Street/Route 137 from Route One for approximately 1.8 miles, then take a slight right onto Oak Hill Road. In 2 miles, the Hauk-Fry Tract will be on your right. There is a small parking lot here. The land trust advises against parking on Route 141, but you could do it as the trailhead has a small pullover.
