Forest

Trail Descriptions

Shaker Woods Trail – Three Rivers Land Trust
This is an easy 2.2 mile loop through pines and hemlocks that border the Middle Branch of the Mousam River and Hay Brook in Alfred. Access is via Stone Road, which leaves the south side of Route 4 near the York County Jail. There is a small gravel parking lot about a half mile south of Route 4. The Shaker Woods Trail doubles as a canoe trip where canoeist can put in at the Hay Bridge landing and canoe the Hay Brook and the Mousam River to a landing that joins the trail at the river’s edge. Canoeist can then walk the loop and return to their canoes. The loop parallels the river and there are benches where hikers can relax and enjoy a picnic lunch. The trail has no trash facilities so please carry-in and carry-out.

Williams Town Park – Shapleigh Conservation Commission
There is ample off-road parking at the County Road entrance outside the gate, but this area is not plowed in the winter. Suitable activities in the Park include hiking, picnicking, photographing, berry picking, birding, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and sledding. The three miles of gravel roads are restricted to daytime pedestrian and mountain bike use in all seasons.
Hunting is permitted. Overnight camping is not permitted without special, written permission from the Board of Selectmen. A flyer showing the roads and ponds is available at the Town Hall. Questions and comments about the Park should be directed to Town Hall. The approximately 300-acre Town Park was donated to the Town by prior owner, Roger Williams, in 2011.

Bond Mountain
This is a short, stiff hike through recently thinned woods to the foundation of the original 1820 Thomas Bond homestead. The trail starts at a small turnout on Route 11, north of the Shady Nook Road. Follow the trail to the left, which is gated to keep out motorized vehicles. The trail starts gently but switchbacks and climbs quickly. The flat summit is wooded with cellar hole to the Bond homestead is to the right. Just before the summit, there is a small pile of rocks on the edge of the left side of the trail. If you follow that path, through hemlock woods and ledges, it comes out on a ledge with views to the east.

Abbott Mountain
The hike is steep and severely eroded, but the summit affords fine views of the White Mountains. Park on Owl’s Nest Road, just after it turned from pavement to dirt. Proceed right onto private Pitts Road. It ends shortly and the wooded tote road becomes the narrower Abbott Mountain Road. Continue on Abbott Mountain Road – take the left fork within one quarter mile – and follow it for about a mile. Look for a trail to the left. It may have a cable across it, sleeved in white PVC pipe. Here begins the steep ascent to the summit. Motorized vehicles are prohibited beyond this point.

Massabesic Experimental Forest – South
Park at the gate on Ida Jim Road or Kennebunk Road. There are three well-marked foot paths that leave from Ida Jim Road – BC Jordan Trail and Littlefield Trail, which leave from the west side of the road and connect. These trails pass through some impressive pine woods. The Clayton Carl Trail leaves from the east side of the road and connects to the Atlantic White Cedar Loop. A fourth trail leaves from the west side of paved Whichers Mill Road and extends to Estes Lake.