With twin peaks topping out at 1,981 and 1060 feet, Mount Borestone makes for an easy and scenic day hike that’s suitable for young children. Located in north-central Maine, within the Hundred Mile Wilderness region, the mountain is part of the 1600-acre Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary, which is owned and managed by Maine Audubon.
Several well-marked trails offer different hiking experiences for the visitor. The Base Trail extends 1.1 miles from the parking area off Bodfish Valley Road to the Visitor Center on Sunrise Pond. From this point, hikers can choose between three trails: Summit, Fox Pen Loop, and Peregrine.
The 1.0-mile Summit Trail follows the shore of Sunrise Pond before climbing steeply through spruce and over exposed granite. It traverses 130 stone steps and two steel handholds before reaching West Peak.
The Fox Pen Loop Trail stems from the Summit Trail about 0.1 miles from the Visitor Center and leads to a marsh with boardwalks. Visitors can also view the remnants of fox pens from when the Borestone property was managed as a fox farm in the first part of the 20th Century.
The Peregrine Trail begins opposite the Visitor Center and leads gradually upwards above a series of cliffs overlooking three ponds. This trail ends at a ledge above the cliffs, and may occasionally be closed.
The exposed rocky summit of Borestone offers sweeping views of the central Maine woods and surrounding mountains, and it’s possible to see hawks and eagles soaring below, as well as moose feeding along the shores of small ponds.
Trail fees
Directions
Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary
Bodfish Valley Road, Elliotsville, ME
From Bangor or Portland, take I-95 to Newport (Exit 157 from the south, or Exit 159 from the north). Follow Route 7 north to Dexter, then take Route 23 north to Guilford. In Guilford, turn left onto Route 15/6 to Monson. After passing through the village of Monson, turn right onto Elliotsville Road. After 8 miles turn left, after the bridge, onto Bodfish Road. Parking area is approximately .7 miles on the left, after the railroad tracks. The gate and trailhead are on the right. Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary is located on Map 41 of Delorme’s Maine Atlas.
Maine Audubon sanctuaries are free and open to the public year-round, dawn to dusk (there is a small trail use fee for nonmembers at Borestone). Dogs, even while leashed, are not allowed in Maine Audubon sanctuaries, as their presence can be disruptive to wildlife.
Contact
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Mount Monadnock, NH