Good reward at the top for a short hike. You can see pretty far with the views but nothing…read moreextraordinary, since the mountain is not very tall. The trail is very well marked, with trail markers every twenty feet or so. The walk is mostly wooded, so just take some time and enjoy the rustling of the trees. This would be a good trail to bring your dog on. Parking lot probably fits 10 to 15 cars. There were no bathrooms on site.

After a long day of hiking various trails in the area, we decided to squeeze in one more right…read morebefore dusk and we're so glad we did because it ended up being our favorite. Just the drive to find the entrance to Bauneg Beg (which we did from Fox Farm Hill Rd) was stunning - sweeping views of wide open fields and meadows. Lovely. If you're coming to the mountain this way, there's a inconspicuous brown wooden plank sign before the small off-street gravel parking lot (we blew past it initially, and probably would again if we came bag so just go slow!). This conservation area is comprised of close to 90 acres of logging trails (a two mile network) through thick woodlands and rock formations, one such called Devil's Den made up of impressive and daunting looking boulders - hiking up the relatively steep rocky "path" constructed through here, though, brings you directly to the top of Middle Peak. Apparently Banueg Beg has three distinct peaks which can actually be seen from the ocean (and in the past they were used to help navigation to ME's coast, kinda cool right?). Unfortunately, the views from the top (apparently you can see Mt Washington and the Atlantic on a clear day) where we specifically were didn't quite offer what we were expecting as much of it is obstructed by the overgrowth of trees and vegetation. A bit of a bummer, but still worth the work-out! Instead of backtracking, we went down the mountain via the more accessible, gentle, all-levels trail through a pine grove (Ginny's Way). Bauneg Beg was just such an unexpected, beautiful network of trails through such a thick, tall deciduous forest that we were impressed. The signage on the paths themselves could be improved (some trees have multiple boards with arrows pointing in literally every direction making it VERY confusing; guess that's part of the adventure, though!), but this particular spot just had that untouched-by-man, trekking-through-the-raw-beauty-of-Maine-without-a-single-person-knowing-where-I-am-and-can't-bother-me-via-text feeling really reconnects a gal to nature and makes her want to create or write something beautiful, y'know?

This was amazing. I'm so glad we decided to go down the coast and take this walk. We decided to go…read moreat sunrise. Although there was overcast, it was still a beautiful walk. I imagined the people who walked this jetty every single day and I was jealous. We didn't tour the lighthouse but we've seen plenty of lighthouses. We've never seen one out a mile though. Don't miss this gem! Be sure to use the bathroom before coming here as we did not see any portapods. Also, wear shoes with hood support. We saw a few wearing flip flops; so t know how they did it. I wouldn't take the risk of tripping.

The ending to a perfect day in Maine? Watching the sunset from a jetty of course!…read more After spending the day exploring coastal areas in southern Maine, we decided to walk the jetty near Wells Harbor/York Beach. We didn't know what to expect when we discovered this spot - so when you come know that there are two jetty's. One you can access from the elongated, sandy parking area on Foster Ln (which was free to use and deserted when we came in early November); and, one you can access from a bigger, concrete parking area at the end of Atlantic Ave (beyond Sage Fishing Charters - it's pay to park here, but I don't know if that's just during the height of the summer season). These jetty's are long (I read somewhere that they're over a mile) stone breakwaters that stretch out relatively far from land into the Atlantic. It's beautiful to walk down and back as you get stunning views of Wells Harbor, the beach on either side, and great for bird watching too (we were captivated by some sanderlings!). It's important to be mindful when walking on jetty's though - these big boulders have crevices between them, so "mind the gap"; if the ocean is rough, you might also get soaked from waves crashing against them! Absolutely worth seeing, especially in the shoulder season when it's got that much more serene, humble feeling to it!

Across the street from Fort McClary State Park is a picnic area near Barters Creek. There are also…read moresome bathrooms and the Barters Creek Trail. While it isn't very long or difficult to navigate, it was absolutely lovely to walk around on - especially on a Sunday morning in late autumn. There was no one there but us! The trail is mostly a straight line with two tiny loops at each end (where it does branch off, you'll be met with big "State Boundary" signs as you're approaching someone's back yard) - so you can either choose to walk left or right first. If you initially go left on the trail, it's a small walk down to the Crockett Neck Rd bridge area. Loop around and go back to the right and you'll be brought to a mini island (we were there during low tide so it was easy to get to - only six or so steps over rocks to reach it). It's fun to hang out on it - there was a lobster trap washed up, a row boat flipped upside down, and the water was a sparkly greenish-blue. I know it sounds silly, but there really was something charming about Mini Island. Like you would expect to see fairies houses or gnomes gardens there! If you're visiting Fort McClary, it would be worth it to meander across the street (be sure to take a moment to sit and enjoy the pond - cattails, lily pads, and some amphibian friends) to this little area for some quiet time (especially during the shoulder seasons), some photos, and for some fresh air!

So Ogunquit is known for its marvelous Marginal Way, pristine beaches, picturesque Perkins Cove,…read morefine dining, art galleries and the eponymous Ogunquit Museum of American Art. Who goes there for hiking? Well, if you ever tire of the shore line and galleries, the GWLT (Great Works Regional Land Trust) Old Boston Preserve is a fine antidote and counterpoint. Blazed just a year or so ago, this new trail and nature preserve is easy to hike, easy to follow, and easy on the eyes. It features a couple of loops and leads you to vernal pools, impressive glacial boulders, old stone walls, a historic cemetery (the OG Boston family? Of Beantown fame? Maybe...), and the Boston family's farmhouse foundations. It's a great little trail to stretch the legs and a good springboard to explore the other GWLT trails in the area (as well as seeing a bit of Ogunquit outside of the typical tourist routes!).

Interesting short walk with lots to look at. Graves, pottery shards, stone foundations and walls…read more Easy walk.

I feel the need to preface all of my nature reviews with this: being 90% forested and having around…read more3500 miles of coastline, Maine has a tremendous amount of spaces, walkways, paths, and trails of all kinds and of all levels. There's something for everyone. What I'm reviewing is how a spot compares to similar outdoor spots in my personal opinion. Being in nature - and remembering to carry in, carry out - is always five stars! :) *** Parking? Yes. Loop trail? Kind of. Well marked signs? Kind of. Element of surprise? Eh, kind of? "Welcome to the Hilton-Winn Preserve... this 48,000 acre area is the largest, intact (minimally fragmented by roads coastal forest from Acadia National Park to the New Jersey Pine Barrens. A unique confluence of northern and southern species of plants and animals lie here, making it the most biologically diverse region in Maine." That's what the sign says when you arrive. How cool sounding!!! All of that may be true, but I have to admit that I actually have no idea what's going on here; because whatever you see online or at the information kiosk (under "Trails & Rules") regarding the trail map is not totally the truth. Yes, there's *a lot* of signs, but there's *a lot* of signs for trails that don't exist on the map. Does that make sense? Like, I started on Boardwalk Trail (very clearly labeled both on the map and on the trail itself) through forested wetland, went to Hilton Lane (very clearly labeled both on the map and on the trail itself), went to Loop Trail (which was actually pretty cool because it crosses the Ogunquit River twice -- there's a sturdy cable connecting trees on the opposing banks of the river to help you navigate your way across; when I came, however, this was unnecessary because there was no water in the river at all [August in Maine; everything's dried up due to the drought]) and then this is where things got weird. Because Loop Trail should have "looped" back to Hilton, but it didn't. So I backtracked all the way to the original part of Hilton I deviated from and this time walked up to River Trail (clearly labeled both on the map and on the trail itself), which seemed misnamed: does it follow the Tatnic Brook? Maybe, but again - no signs of water whatsoever. This then brought me to Breen-Norris Farm Trail... and then to Grandma's Wishing Bridge (which was collapsed), Imagination Pond (which was definitely not real no matter how hard I tried to believe), Stone Wall Way (there were no stone walls), Holding Pen (a collapsed wooden "pen"), an enormous field, and Green Horse Trail (there were no green horses; I'm guessing they escaped the pen, kicked the stone walls down, drank the water from the pond, destroyed Nana's bridge, and are living their life somewhere in that giant field). I took pictures for proof, and also: none of that was on any map. Was it an adventure? Sure. Did I sweat? A whole lot. Would I come back here? Nope. Too scared about where the horses may or may not be.

Ogunquit is a charming town. It's well maintained. It has a lot of cute, touristy venues. It is the…read morehome of the marginal way, which is an amazing 1.5 mile walk along the Atlantic coast. There's a variety of restaurants. There is a large number of hotels, motels and inns to cater a variety of tastes and budgets. It's within striking distance of Kittery, Kennebunkport, Portland and Freeport. It's a very LGBTQ friendly town. The only negative is that it gets quite crowded over the summer. As long as you adjust your expectations accordingly, it's a great place to vacation.

This is our first vacation to Maine, so I asked a friend who's spent years vacationing here for…read moresome of her favorite spots. High on her list was Ogunquit and the Marginal Way and now I know why. We're staying in Portland, so Ogunquit is a short drive south, past Kennebunk. We took the more scenic route down (Hwy 1), driving through Wells, and are glad we did. We arrived in Ogunquit just at lunchtime, as we wanted to eat at Brix + Brine...unfortunately they weren't yet open for the season (Hubs, being a foodie, was crushed). We walked around a bit, enjoying the quaintness of the town. They clearly are a seasonal town, and we're here at the very beginning of the season so some shops weren't yet open. Parking is a challenge, but Google can help you find the public parking (we only found pay lots...not sure if there are free lots available). This is a VERY pedestrian oriented area, so as you drive through, take it slow and keep a sharp eye out. We've found most people will use the crosswalks but did have one experience where a couple crossed mid-block without even a glance left or right . There are some beautiful beaches here, with public access, so it makes sense that it's a big draw for visitors. One of the reasons we came to Ogunquit was to experience the Marginal Way, a walking path along the coastline that stretches a little more than a mile, from Ogunquit to Perkins Cove. We decided to drive down to Perkins Cove, park, grab a bite and walk the path. Perkins Cove sits on a finger of land, so there are docks with boats (and cruise options, I think), several shops and places to eat and a LOT of residences/rental houses. Right in the center is a medium sized parking lot where you pay by the hour ($4 per hour) - however, just as you enter the area theres a pay lot for $10. Choose your parking location based on how long you intend to stay. We ate lunch then walked the Marginal Way. The path is mostly well above the high tide mark and the rocks, but with a couple of stairways to allow you to get to the beach. Being low tide, we walked out to the water, took off our shoes and enjoyed a short walk in the cold water, while watching surfers and kayakers. The path is wide enough for two people to walk side by side and is paved. Those with mobility issues should be able to walk at least part of it, although some areas will be a little steep for anyone using a wheelchair. There are plenty of benches along the way, so you can take it at your own pace. This southern gal now wants to retire and move to Maine. I can learn to deal with snow...

There's a headquarters building for the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust (where you can park) with…read morea beautifully manicured "backyard"/garden area where they host events for NPOs and private gatherings. You'll definitely want to come check this spot on on your own, though because Emmons Preserve has it all: - A story book trail for children (follow a children's book along an easy to navigate path that includes tunnels and a hut made entirely from weaved together branches and tree limbs, faces on trees, fairy houses, log benches to sit upon, etc.) - Long bridges over the Batson River (the reflection of the leaves in the glassy surface of the water was stunning!) - Vernal pools, wetlands, wide open fields, dense forests - Informative signs about the area (including the wildlife and trees, the fire of 1947, the logging industry, and QR codes to help you identify bird calls) - Plenty of well manicured trails - I saw lots of runners on the Learning Trail; on the other side of the property, you can venture into the woods up the Batson River Trail to Jeremy's Trail which connects to Jenne's Loop. These offer more views of the river and an unexpected scenic, bubbling, babbling, absolutely lovely little waterfall. Another spot you could hideaway at with a good book or a picnic (carry in, carry out!!!). Fill up that cup with a big dose of nature therapy, my friends. Forest bathing is important.

Historical cemetery, close to the harbour includes information on 'note worthy' residents. Many…read moreexamples of early New England headstone motifs. Easy to walk to from Prescott park. No parking in the area. There is a turn style to enter and exit making it *not* ADA accessible. This feature also prevents pets from entering, fyi.

Established in 1671, this is one of the oldest cemeteries in New Hampshire! I'm obsessed with…read morememento mori and this burying ground had so many fine, surprisingly well preserved examples of early headstone artistry by many local sculptors - it's so impressive that I visited twice during my time in New England! The oldest headstone I found dated all the way back to 1682! There are records of earlier burials here, but any headstones prior to 1682 were destroyed by cattle grazing from the original land owner's cattle, Capt John Pickering II. But there are several headstones still very well preserved from the late 1600s and early-mid 1700s - it's amazing! Another popular draw to this particular burying ground is rumors of it being very haunted!! The first ever house fire to be reported on in a newspaper in America tragically claimed two victims buried here - Elizabeth Elaston and Elizabeth Rogers - and supposedly they haunt these grounds - and their headstones are joined together and very beautifully preserved. It's one of the smaller burying grounds around New England - but it's beautiful and surrounded by a huge park right on the picturesque Piscataqua River - also right next to the Strawberry Banke museum and a few other small museums - so there's a lot to do in the area. Parking can be a challenge as it's mostly street parking but if you're visiting the Strawberry Banke museum they have a lot of parking. Pro Tip: grab a most delicious lobster roll and slice of homemade pie right down the street at Geno's - you won't regret it!!