Mt. Blue State Park Ski and Snowshoe Trails

The map shows Mt. Blue State Park ski trails in blue, snowshoe trails to the Center Hill and Rock Overlook views in red, Mt. Blue summit trail in yellow, and ourrecommended multi-use hiking loop to Hedgehog Hill vista in orange. This last trail requires some hiking along ski trails.

Besides the other wonderful treasures in this state park (beauty, trails, skating rinks, campsites, etc.), there are miles of groomed classic cross-country ski trails and two fabulous snowshoe trails that bring you to great views. If you are uncertain about snow conditions for skiing, call the number listed on the state park website. Additionally, there are multi-use trails you can explore during the rest of the year or on snowshoe.

Destinations to aim for in the park include Hedgehog Hill Summit (1,365 feet, 184 feet elevation gain), via Maple Trail in winter on skies or snowshoes, or the Hedgehog Trail multi-use trail on foot; Center Hill Summit (1,657 feet, 430 feet elevation gain), via snowshoe; and The Rock Overlook via snowshoe (~1,180 feet, not sure elevation gain but much less than Center Hill). All have wonderful views.

For the most part, the ski 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 rolling 10-mile Maple Trail — which brings you past the base of the 0.2-mile summit trail to Hedgehog Hill. This is a worthwhile detour, by foot or snowshoe.

Or skiers can stay closer to the trailhead and go out for a 0.5-mile ski around the Fox Trail loop. In the ski that I did, I encountered only a couple of hills. From the park headquarters, I headed out along the 0.5-mile Central Trail (which passes through an apple orchard) to the 2-mile Birch Trail, 1-mile Moose Trail, 1-mile Pine Trail, and 0.5-mile Fox Trail. A couple of times the routes take skiers across a road or snowmobile track.

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

Snowshoe Trails: The ~1.2-mile, one way, Center Hill Snowshoe Trail can be a strenuous outing, especially if the snow is deep or the trail hasn’t been broken in. The park recommends giving yourself two to three hours. The trail leaves from the park headquarters on Center Hill Road, starting gradually before making two steep pushes, with a flat section in the middle offering a bit of a reprieve. The final 0.3 miles before the right-side turnoff to the lookout is the steepest. The views are beautiful from open ledge, encompassing the Tumbledown-Jackson range and long views to the mountains beyond Webb Lake. If you’d like to continue your snowshoe, I highly recommend following the snowmobile trail past the Center Hill summer parking lot, which connects to the Maple Trail. Then you can follow Maple Trail to Hedgehog Hill.

The ~1.3-mile, one way, Rock Overlook Trail starts on the Center Hill Snowshoe Trail, before breaking off at about 1,000 feet. It is not as strenuous as the Center Hill Snowshoe Trail, and offers pretty views of Byron Notch from its endpoint.

Map information and photos contributed by Sam Shirley.

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.