Elementary School Nature Trail, Deer Isle

This is a very charming school trail! On the north side of the school access road, the trail is entirely boardwalk, raised above a wetland forest with a thick blanket of ferns. On the foggy day I visited, the surroundings were green, pungent, and drippy, and did a convincing impression of a tropical ecosystem at times.

The 0.3-mile boardwalk is sturdy and well made. Part of it is wheelchair accessible — the section closer to the tennis courts. There are two platforms that serve as outdoor classrooms.

Young writers and artists have turned the path into a storybook trail, writing and illustrating their own picture books and staking the pages along the boardwalk. One conscientious child also created a warning sign that the boardwalks can be slippery when wet.

Across the school access road, the trails continue through the forest as wide, flat footpaths, linking school facilities.

Directions: You can access the trail system from the Deer Isle-Stonington high school or elementary school, parking at either facility. I visited when school was not in session. The schools are approximately three miles from the bridge into Deer Isle, on the left if you’re traveling south on Route 15.