The Georges Highland Path

The Georges Highland Path (GHP) is a 50-mile network of low-impact footpaths in the midcoast region built and maintained by the Land Trust. This unique trail system is based on the participation of private landowners who graciously give permission for the public to cross their land. When hiking these trails, please respect the fact that you are on privately owned land.

Our goal in providing this vast trail system is to help you forge a close relationship with the land and develop a keen and active interest in working to protect this magnificent area.

Please donate to keep our trails open and safe. We also welcome corporate trail sponsorships.

HEADWATERS REGION

Towns: Montville

Frye Mountain

The Frye Mountain section of the Georges Highland Path is located in Montville, ME, within the 5,240-acre state-owned Frye Mountain Wildlife Management Area. This “lollipop” trail passes through mixed and coniferous forests, parallels a wonderful stretch of Bartlett Stream, the northern-most feeder stream of the Georges River, and crosses Frye’s summit at 1,122 feet.

Trail Map

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Hogback Mountain

**AT THE REQUEST OF THE LANDOWNER, THE HOGBACK MOUNTAIN TRAIL IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED (as of April 14, 2020)**

The Hogback Mountain trail in Montville takes hikers past the gigantic glacial erratic known as “piano rock,” through a young beech forest, and up a 30-foot cliff with tiny cascading waterfalls.

The payoff at the summit (1,115 feet) ... Read more

CENTRAL REGION

Towns: Camden, Rockport, Searsmont

Canal Path

Canal Path is a 3-mile trail in Searsmont that traces a section of the historic Georges River Canal dating to the late 1700’s. There are interpretive displays along the trail describing the aspects of the canal system that are still visible today. The trail also features a self-guided tour of the sustainable forestry practices of ... Read more
Mount Pleasant

The Mount Pleasant Trail in Rockport begins at Mt. Pleasant Street and is an out and back trail to a series of scenic views. You will begin alongside a field full of raspberry bushes then work your way across the mountain through a conifer forest, cross a blueberry field, and enjoy the wonderful views of ... Read more
Ragged Mountain

The Ragged Mountain trail in Camden and Rockport offers some of the steepest and most strenuous hiking in the midcoast region. The reward, however, is worth it. From the rocky ledges along the ridgeline of Ragged Mountain, hikers are greeted with westerly vistas across the Georges River watershed all the way to Mt. Washington, the ... Read more
Ridge to River

The Ridge to River Trail in Searsmont connects our Gibson Preserve to the Canal Path via a five-mile footpath with significant stretches along the Georges River and fantastic views of the river valley as seen from the top of Appleton Ridge. This trail does have some strenuous sections, particularly ... Read more
Spruce Mountain

The Spruce Mountain Trail in Rockport is a short, quick hike up to fantastic views of its neighbor, Ragged Mountain, and Penobscot Bay. If you have friends or family in town and you really want to show off the area, this is the place to take them if you don’t have much time to devote ... Read more

SALTWATER REGION

Towns: St. George, Thomaston

Jones Brook Area

The Jones Brook area includes three connected trails on the upper St. George peninsula:

Town Forest Trail

The ¾-mile Town Forest Trail is a loop trail that takes visitors through an area dominated by white cedar, balsam fir and spruce, as well as along an alder thicket that borders the Jones Brook marsh. On the west side ... Read more
Oyster River Bog

The Oyster River Bog trail is a moderately easy “walk through the woods” and provides excellent hiking opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. The Oyster River Bog, also known as the Rockland Bog, is an unusual 6,000-acre woodland nestled amid the busy mid-coast communities of Rockland, Rockport, and Warren.
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Thomaston Town Forest

The Thomaston Town Forest trail passes through the 350-acre town forest that lies to the east of the Oyster River. The trail parallels the western boundary of the forest before veering northeast to pass Split Rock I, a huge glacial erratic. The trail offers mostly level hiking through mixed and coniferous woods which provide habitat ... Read more
Thomaston Village

The Thomaston Village Trail is the first “urban” section of our Georges Highland Path. It is a pleasant three-mile sidewalk excursion through the town village and along its waterfront. The trail begins at the Thomaston Green, site of the former state prison, where it provides sweeping views of the St. George River from high above ... Read more