QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: 800,000 acres, White Mountain Forest
- Trail Mileage: 2.1-mile loop (.1-mile spur to view)
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: moderate
- Sights: views, summit is 1,374 ft.
The Roost offers a 2.1-mile loop (the last 0.6 mile along Route 113), and a steep, short spur to its lookout over the Wild River and westerly views. 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 trail spur to the lookout. It’s easy to miss! More info here.
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: 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.
