Mt. Blue State Park X-C Trails, Weld

My map is incomplete. I hope to complete it soon! Meanwhile, I’ve included a photo of the trail map below (with both snowshoe and ski trails).

Besides the other wonderful treasures in this state park (like beauty, hiking trails, skating rinks, campsites, etc.), there are fifteen miles of groomed classic cross-country ski trails, and two snowshoe trails. When I visited the trail system just after a big snowfall, the trails hadn’t been groomed yet. But I ran into the groomer in the afternoon, and he asked me my take on how the groomed trails were: My answer, lovely! Newly groomed trails on freshly fallen snow is heaven.

If you are uncertain about snow conditions for skiing, call the number listed on the state park website. A friendly woman usually answers with up-to-date conditions on snow and grooming.

For the most part, the park trails are well marked and easy, and easy to follow, with occasional trail maps posted at intersections. You can do a long ski by heading out on the 10-mile Maple Trail, or stay closer to the trailhead and go out for a .5-mile ski around the Fox Trail loop. In the ski that I did, I only encountered a couple of hills. From the park headquarters, I headed out along the .5-mile Central Trail (which passes through an apple orchard) to the 2-mile Birch Trail, 1-mile Moose Trail, 1-mile Pine Trail, and .5-mile Fox Trail. A couple of times the routes take skiers across a road or snowmobile track. I can’t vouch for how hard Maple Trail is (the long loop), but it does look like it offers a side trail to the top of Hedgehog Hill and probably a view.)

There is also a yurt with a fireplace at the trailhead parking lot to sit in and warm up on cold days. The fee for skiing is $5 for Maine residents, less for children under 12.

Directions: The address is 299 Center Hill Road in Weld. From the intersection of Routes 142 and 156 in Weld, turn onto Center Hill Road and follow the signs to the park headquarters and trail parking.