QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: 800,000 acres, White Mountain Forest
- Trail Mileage: 2.1-mile loop
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: moderate
- Sights: views
The Roost offers a 2.1-mile loop (the last 0.6 mile along Route 113), and a steep, short spur to its 1,374-foot lookout over the Wild River and farther west. The ascent is about 0.5 mile, so this is a very kid-friendly hike. As soon as you get to the first ledges, look for the sign, “Scenic view,” pointing down to the 0.1-mile spur to the lookout. It’s easy to miss!
From the summit, you can return the way you came or continue south, which includes a 0.8-mile stretch along the road.
The Forest Services has good info about the hike.
If you want to swim at the end of the hike, there’s a bridge across Route 113 just a little south of the trailhead. It leads to a little beach where you can dip into Wild River and cool off.
Directions: (From the USDA:) The Roost trailhead is along Route 113 (closed in winter), 2.8 miles south of Route 2 in Gilead, Maine. Hikers can park at the small gravel pull off by the trail sign, or at the larger Hastings trailhead .2 miles south of there where Route 113 meets Wild River Road.
