Taking the Less Traveled Trail

Statistics from the Maine Office of Tourism indicate that day hiking is the sixth most popular activity of vacationers to the Pine Tree State, just behind whale watching and shopping and ahead of antiquing and foliage viewing.

Bethel, a village nestled at the foot of the White Mountains, known as the Blue or Longfellow Mountains where this stretch of the Appalachians crosses into Maine, is a day hiker’s paradise.  Trails range from easy walks to challenging steep ascents, beside brooks and waterfalls or heavily forested, dense growth. 

A walk up Paradise Hill is a daily routine for many of the townsfolk who love to share this daily constitutional with visiting guests.  The mile and a half walk to its 900 foot summit passes by village homes with manicured gardens opening up to an expansive view west to the Presidential range.  On a clear day, the summit of Mount Washington peaks out from behind the surrounding mountaintops.  On the return walk, a view to the northeast reveals the backside of Sunday River Ski Resort.

A hike up Step Falls (as locals call it) or Wight Brook Nature Preserve, a preserve of the Nature Conservancy is a favorite with families.  Located on Route 26 north of Bethel just before Grafton Notch State Park, this well maintained trail follows Wight Brook.  Kids swim in the glacial pools beneath the cascading waterfalls and dry off on the sun-warmed table rocks. 

The Mount Will nature trail takes about 2.5 hours to complete. Just north of Bethel with easy access off Route 2, the trail features interpretive signage about the flora and fauna. There are a few steep pitches with uneven terrain, which require appropriate footwear. The view overlooks the Androscoggin River and Bethel village.

The White Mountain National Forest has several well-maintained hiking trails near Evans Notch.  This Notch, straddling the Maine/New Hampshire Border, is often overlooked in favor of the well-known Pinkham Notch and the Presidential Range just to its west.  Most hikes are of medium difficulty and range from 1 hour to 3 and ½ hours.  Trail maps and descriptions are available at the Evan Notch Visitor Center in Bethel.

The Grafton Notch Hiking Loop in the heart of the Mahoosuc Range was designed to offer an alternative Route for Appalachian Trail hikers. Currently 17 miles of the 36 mile loop is open.  This northbound section is accessed from a parking area on Route 26.  A 3.6 mile section to the top of Puzzle Mountain offers a remote, backcountry experience to a rarely climbed peak.

True North Adventureware has hiking gear from boots to bug spray.  Area outfitters offer guided trips.  Outward Bound in nearby Newry offers multi-day trips including rock climbing.  Hiking maps are available at the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce.  The Chamber offers a reservation service at 1-800-442-5826 or on-line at http://www.bethelmaine.com.

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