Oh, Maine. With all your nooks and crannies, we might think you were a breakfast muffin. There are so many hidden places to explore that we could dedicate an entire website to it. But, since some of you prefer eating delicious meals, we like giving you a mix of ALL the wonderful things you can do in Vacationland. Whatever it is you like to do best, we can probably all agree that sometimes we just need some peace and quiet. Here’s a great place to do just that!
Vaughan Woods covers nearly 200 acres in the small town of Hallowell and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
boB Rudis / Flickr
The beautiful nature preserve, which is often referred to as “Hobittland” features a number of trails perfect for enjoying a leisurely walk.
Jim Howe / YouTube
The area was originally owned by the Plymouth Colony to help in trade with the Abenaki Indians and is today maintained by the Vaughan Woods & Historic Homestead.
Jim Howe / YouTube
The trails provide access to beautiful white pines, hemlocks, red oaks and beech trees.
boB Rudis / Flickr
When it’s warm enough, the woods are wonderful for a waterfall picnic and the shady trees provide relief from a hot summer day.
Stephen Malinowski / Flickr
Winter allows for snowshoe explorations.
InAweofGod’sCreation / Flickr
Throughout the area, visitors can enjoy the peaceful Vaughan Brook, which comes from the Cascade Pond, formed by Stickney and Page dam in 1871.
Jim Howe / YouTube
The brook can be seen in many places, but we think the best way to enjoy it is from any of the small stone bridges that run over it.
Joe Peterpaul / YouTube
There are five trails throughout the woods.
Jim Howe / YouTube
All are interconnected and most are easily traversed.
Joe Peterpaul / YouTube Heifer Field Loop Trail is just over 1 mile beginning at the Driving Bridge east of Cascade Pond. This will take you through the woods, over a small hill and back to the beginning forming a loop.
Ridge Trail is about half a mile leading along a small ridge. It begins at Uncle Sam’s Bridge, which is actually non operational, and ends at the field near the Heifer Field Loop Trail.
Arch Bridge Extension is steeper than the rest, but only about a tenth of a mile. It is used to connect the Stone Arch Bridge to the Ridge Trail.
Vaughan Stream Trail begins at the Corniche Trail and runs along the Vaughan Brook towards a the Twelve Foot Falls waterfall. It then leads back to the Stone Arch Bridge.
Corniche Trail is another fairly easy trail, with a length of about a quarter of a mile. It leads from the Hallowell trailhead along a steep hill and down to Cascade Pond.
Whatever trail you choose, you’re guaranteed to enjoy some peace and quiet in a small town.
Jim Howe / YouTube
Parking can be found at the Hall-Dale High School when school is not in session - primarily afternoons, weekends, holidays and during the day in the summer.
Jim Howe / YouTube
A few of the photos used in this article have been taken from videos of folks just like you exploring the area. They can be viewed below:
boB Rudis / Flickr
Jim Howe / YouTube
Stephen Malinowski / Flickr
InAweofGod’sCreation / Flickr
Joe Peterpaul / YouTube
Heifer Field Loop Trail is just over 1 mile beginning at the Driving Bridge east of Cascade Pond. This will take you through the woods, over a small hill and back to the beginning forming a loop.
Ridge Trail is about half a mile leading along a small ridge. It begins at Uncle Sam’s Bridge, which is actually non operational, and ends at the field near the Heifer Field Loop Trail.
Arch Bridge Extension is steeper than the rest, but only about a tenth of a mile. It is used to connect the Stone Arch Bridge to the Ridge Trail.
Vaughan Stream Trail begins at the Corniche Trail and runs along the Vaughan Brook towards a the Twelve Foot Falls waterfall. It then leads back to the Stone Arch Bridge.
Corniche Trail is another fairly easy trail, with a length of about a quarter of a mile. It leads from the Hallowell trailhead along a steep hill and down to Cascade Pond.
Wait! Before you go…don’t forget to add these other 12 epic things to your Maine to-do list!
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