QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: 336 acres
- Trail Mileage: 2.4 miles
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: moderate
- Sights: 170 acres of blueberry fields, views
The Blue Hill Heritage Trust’s Penobscot Community Forest at Wallamatogus Mountain, encompasses 170 acres of high blueberry fields with views stretching to Penobscot Bay. It’s stunning! In just under a mile, with a bit of hiking effort, you can reach beautiful spot atop the open barrens. The total distance of the loop shown on my map is 2.4 miles.
The smallish parking lot is near the transfer station (there’s room for four or five cars, but you can also park at the nearby boat launch). Cross the road and you’ll start hiking up a well-made path to the blueberry fields, reached in about 0.2 miles. The trail is blazed across the barrens to an intersection with a dirt road, really a wide track. From here (as of December, 2023, at least), the way is not marked but easy to follow.
From the intersection with the path, head right, and you will make your way along rocky, sometimes muddy track past a small cemetery sheltered by a lone tree and the remaining boulders left in the fields. Walk past a road to your right and to your left, and when the main road bends to the left, soon after the cemetery, the trail to the summit breaks off to the right and starts heading up hill, moderately steeply. (This section is just about 0.3 miles.)
As you get closer to the top, a footpath heads straight, heading away from the rocky track. Take this and you’ll reach a stone wind brace with glorious views (at this point, you’ve hiked about 0.9 miles). Head back to the tree line to follow the track around the corner of the barren and back down the hill for a loop. From the wind block, it’s 1.5 miles back to the parking lot.
An enchanting spot for a hike, with a beautiful palette of colors any time of the year or weather conditions.
Directions: The parking lot is on Mill Creek Road, just around the bend from the boat landing on Pierce Pond. It’ll be on your left before the transfer station. The path is across the road.