A1 Trails
Hiking in Maine

Hiking in the Bigelow Preserve

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Trails: The Appalchian Trail crosses the seven summits of the Bigelow Range, ranging up to 4,150 feet in altitude. Together with three alternate trails to the summits there are about 20 miles of trails in the region. The 36,000 acre preserve is managed by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.
A new trail under development in the region is the Maine Huts Trail, planned to span 180 miles from the Mahoosucs to Moosehead Lake. About 30 or so miles of the trail have been completed, from Sugarloaf along the east shore of Flagstaff Lake, and two backcountry huts powered by solar, wind and mini-hydro are in service.
Access fee:
Nearest town: Bigelow, ME
Trail map: Bigelow map is available on the park website. Map and GPS tracks of the Maine Huts trail can be downloaded from the organization's website.
Web site: Bigelow Preserve | Maine Huts & Trails
Points of interest: Summits overlooking Flagstaff Lake
Other activities: Cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing
Lodging: Several inns and other accommodations are available within the Sugarloaf Resort area. The Maine Huts offer bunks and possibly even meals.
Camping: Backcountry campsites are located along the trails.
Weather forecast: Bigelow
Tourism info: Sugarloaf Area Chamber
Getting to the trail: The west trailhead of the Bigelow Range is about 5 miles west of Carabassett Valley on Route 27. The east trailhead is accessed by Long Falls Dam Road from North New Portland. The Maine Huts trail is a couple miles east of Sugarloaf.
Map of local region: Carabassett Valley

Rate these trails

Number of ratings: 2
Average rating: 4.50

Trail Name: Bigelow Preserve
I have hiked there: A few times
I last hiked there in: July, 100
Trails that I hiked:
Favorite trails:
Best time to go: June-October
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: Everything, scenery, ponds, streams, wildlife, seclusion...its all about the woods
What I disliked: nothing
Additional comments:
Submitted by: Justin Begin
from: Sabattus, ME
Date submitted: April 26, 2004

Area name: Bigelow Preserve
I have hiked there: Once
I last hiked there in: August, 2002
Trails that I hiked: West Peak, Avery Peak Cranberry Peak
Favorite trails:
Best time to go: August
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: scenery Ponds
What I disliked:
Comments:
Submitted by: Michelle Young
from: Dixfield, Maine
Date submitted: Jan 15, 2003

Rate these trails