Stillwater River Trail, Orono

I had no idea that this riverside trail transforms from bucolic place to stroll, by day, into dazzling array of sparkling holiday lights by night! So I was taken aback when I suddenly came upon twinkly snowpeople forming a precarious arch and human-sized candy canes. But soon I was completely entranced with the display, even in the un-twinkling light of day. The array extends for several hundred yards, and includes tunnels of lights, magical creatures, and many creative details. The quickest way to find it is to park at the trailhead parking area off Bennoch Road and walk down the short path to the river.

Even without the Trail of Lights, this is a lovely path—much of it follows a trail that feels secluded, peaceful, and remote, with pretty views down and across the river. In total, it’s about 1.8 miles from end to end. Much of it passes through private property. Some homeowners have put up signs reminding people to leash their dogs and pick up after them, to be quiet, and to stay on the path. One has planted some pruned hedges on either side of the path, making for a little garden-like stretch.

The section that begins near Route 2/Main Street is wide, flat, and wheelchair accessible, and extends for roughly 0.6 miles. It passes through an open area called Brownie’s Park, with a stone monument dedicated to Sally Jacobs, a bench, and canoe shed.

If you’re continuing on, you pass a few industrial looking buildings and then the path narrows and becomes a bit rougher.

As you begin the stretch of trail below the cemetery, you’ll notice the already fairly high bank becoming noticeably taller and the trees becoming thicker, darkening the path. If you want to explore the cemetery or exit the path, you can take a side trail (easiest to spot by an Orono trail sign at the intersection). It winds through the forest before emerging at the southern border of the graveyard. A side trail off this side trail brings you to a few old gravestones scattered through the woods that seem long forgotten.

Directions: The good-sized parking area and trailhead is off Bennoch Road/Route 16, directly opposite Noyes Drive. It’s on the right if you’re headed north, about 0.4 miles from the intersection of Bennoch Road/Route 16 with Route 2.