Mt. Waldo, Frankfort

(Recommended paths in blue)

This is a lovely mountain, with gorgeous views from rocky ledges and a quarry for cooling off in. There are three ways to summit — all good and different.

Mt. Waldo Road trailhead: The most popular way up is by starting from the end of Mt. Waldo Road, which will bring you to the summit in about 2.2 miles. If you go this way, you begin and end at the splendid quarry, which is about a half mile from the parking area. Parking is at the gate on one side of the road. The first half mile is up a steep road — this is perhaps the steepest part of the hike! (There is a nice view from this section where the road swings left.) The quarry is reached in 0.5 miles. Right before you get to the quarry, you’ll come to an intersection with a path heading off to your left. I recommend taking this path — it is easy to follow and relatively well marked, bringing you around the quarry (with a great view) and up to the mountain path. Otherwise, if you head right at this point, you’ll reach the quarry and then it can be difficult to find the right path — it seems there are numerous herd paths and routes around the rocks and cliffs. I also recommend returning on this trail. If you want to reach the quarry, just go left at the intersection below it. (Don’t jump from the rocks!)

Once you rise above the quarry, the path levels off a bit, and the remaining 1.4 miles is mostly a gentle climb, with orange blazes on trees and rocks. There’s a short, steep(ish) section at 1.5 miles from the trailhead, but it’s not too bad. When you reach the tower, look for the orange arrows painted on the rocks and swing around to the south of the tower for the best view.

Murray Lane trailhead: This path is about 1.5 miles one way. When I visited in June 2017, Murray Lane was drivable, but the trailhead on the right was hard to find because the signs were so old and faded. If you reach the power lines on Murray Lane, you’ve gone too far. The trail starts across an open field and is tagged with pink ribbons. You climb roughly 0.5 miles, up a fairly steep path to reach open ledge. At this point, there are cairns across the ledge, taking you over to the other side of the mountain and the power lines. Once you reach the power lines, follow them up to the radio towers and the summit.

Tyler Lane trailhead: Perhaps the fastest way up the mountain — and it is not too steep, although walking straight up the rock is wearisome — is from the trailhead off Tyler Lane. After you pass the gate, you’ll walk along a pretty lane. Once you are past the blueberry barrens, the lane veers right. Hikers should stay left and start up the power lines. You’ll soon hit the open ledge, with the towers and summit in sight. This trail is about 0.9 miles.

Here’s a guide from the Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition.

Directions: The Murray Lane trailhead is a little over a mile from the intersection of Murray Lane and Spout Hill Road. If you reach the power lines, you’ve gone too far. The Mt. Waldo Road trailhead is at the end of the dead-end Mt. Waldo Road. There is room for parking on one side of the street. There is a gate, but no sign for Mt. Waldo. To reach the Tyler Lane trailhead, you’ll drive a little under two miles down Tyler Lane before coming to a narrow dirt lane on your left. You’ll see a gate a short ways up this lane. If you park on the lane, be sure not to block the drive.