Easy trails for winter exploration with the whole family
WRITTEN BY AISLINN SARNACKI
As snow piles up on the landscape, blanketing fields and forests in white, the wilderness takes on an entirely new appearance. It’s simpler. Softer. And it sparkles.
Snowshoeing is a great way to explore that stunning winter world. Strapping right onto your boots, snowshoes help you stay afloat, so you aren’t sinking down into the snow with each step. Although, fair warning, you’ll still sink a little. They aren’t magic.
If you’re new to snowshoeing, have no fear. It’s an easy outdoor activity to learn. Snowshoeing is similar to walking, but you might need to place your feet a bit farther apart to avoid stepping on your own snowshoes. Also, you’ll want to use trekking poles, equipped with snow baskets, to aid with your balance and allow you to add a little arm power to your stride.
For thousands of years, people have worn snowshoes to walk through the snowy wilderness. Originally, they were built of wood and hide. Today, you can still purchase traditional snowshoes, but there are more modern designs, constructed of plastics and metals. And different styles of snowshoes are built for specific activities, such as trail running and climbing steep slopes.
When hitting the trails on snowshoes, plan and prepare, just as you would with any outdoor adventure. Be sure to carry a backpack with the necessary survival gear, plus a thermos of hot chocolate or cider. It’s wonderful to rest with a warm beverage while enjoying the silence of a snowy winterscape.
Snowshoeing is a great family activity because it can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It’s something young children can learn. And it’s fairly low-impact, making it a great activity to continue with as you age.
It’s also relatively low cost, with rentals available at several Maine sports stores, gear hubs, and recreation centers.
Many of Maine’s hundreds of hiking trails become snowshoe trails in the winter, which means you won’t run out of options of places to visit. To get you started, here are a few great family-friendly snowshoe hikes, from the coast to the mountains of western Maine.
Flying Mountain in Acadia National Park
Moderate
Of the many peaks in Acadia National Park, Flying Mountain is one of the smallest, yet it offers a wonderful view of the nearby Somes Sound. If there’s enough snow, this makes for a great, short snowshoe.
From the parking lot, the climb to the top (284 feet above sea level) is just 0.3 mile, and the trail is mostly gentle, with a few short, steep sections near the summit. You can lengthen the hike by continuing past the summit and descending to Valley Cove, which is absolutely beautiful. You can then return on a wide trail called Valley Cove Road for a loop that is 1.4 miles long.
To visit the park, you must purchase an Acadia National Park pass and display it in your vehicle. A standard entrance pass is $35 and is good for 7 days, while an annual park pass is $70. Dogs are permitted but must be on leash no longer than 8 feet. For more information, visit nps.gov/acad.
Directions: From the intersection of Route 102 (Main Street) and Fernald Point Road in Southwest Harbor, drive on Fernald Point Road for about 0.9 mile, and the trailhead and parking area will be on your left. If it isn’t plowed, park on the same side of the road as the parking lot, well out of the way of traffic.
Mount Blue State Park in Weld
Moderate
Maine’s largest state park, covering about 8,000 acres, is a particularly great place to visit in the winter. The park’s extensive trail network includes trails designated for snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Plus, you can sled at Center Hill and skate on the outdoor ice rink at park headquarters.
The park’s two snowshoeing trails, Rock Lookout Trail and Center Hill Trail, total about 2.6 miles and lead to scenic overlooks. Both are fairly easy with a few moderate sections.
The park entrance fee varies from free to $7, depending on your age and whether or not you’re a Maine resident. Dogs are permitted on snowshoe trails if kept on leash (no longer than 4 feet). They are not permitted on groomed skiing trails. For more information maine.gov/mountblue.
Directions: At the intersection of ME Route 142 and Route 156 in Weld, turn onto Center Hill Road. Drive about 0.4 mile, then bear left at the fork and continue up Center Hill Road for another mile. Both snowshoe trails start at the Center Hill Parking Area, which is on the right side of the road beside park headquarters.
Pineland Farms in New Gloucester
Easy to challenging
This 5,000-acre winter wonderland is home to a vast network of trails that are maintained for snowshoeing, skiing, and fat-tire biking – just be sure to stay on the right trails for your chosen activity. Carry a trail map to navigate the 18-plus miles of trails.
Throughout the property are warming huts and fire pits, plus an ice skating rink and sledding hill. Purchase food and drinks at the Pineland Market, and eat in one of their snowglobes. The Outdoor Center on the property offers rental skis, snowshoes, and fat-tire bikes.
The snowshoe day pass is $12, while a half-day pass is $9. Snowshoe rentals range from $6 to $14, depending on your age and how long you plan to spend snowshoeing. Dogs are not permitted. For more information, visit pinelandfarms.org.
Directions: The address is 15 Farm View Drive in New Gloucester. You can park right at the Outdoor Center.
Viles Arboretum in Augusta
Easy to challenging
On the outskirts of the bustling city of Augusta, Viles Arboretum is a beautiful place to explore year round. Covering 224 acres, the property features 20 unique botanical collections with tree species from around the world. During the winter, snowshoeing is permitted on more than 6 miles of trails on the property, while about 1.5 miles are groomed for cross-country skiing when snow conditions permit.
This is a great spot for people who are new to winter activities. The arboretum offers snowshoe and ski rentals, which are $15 for adults and free for those under the age of 18. The equipment is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so be sure to show up with a plan B. And, if you’re interested in instruction or a tour, those services are also available, for an additional cost.
Trail use is free. Dogs are welcome but must be on leash at all times. For more information, visit vilesarboretum.org.
Directions: The arboretum is located at 153 Hospital St. in Augusta.
