You Can See For Miles When You Reach The Top Of The East Grand Highlands Trail In Maine
By Michelle|Published December 03, 2020
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Michelle
Author
Michelle's life is a colorful map of exploration and adventure. From the iconic streets of New York to the sunny shores of Florida, the jagged coast of Maine to the rugged terrain of Montana, she's been fortunate to call some of America's most beautiful states home. Beyond the U.S., Michelle's wanderlust has taken her on a motorcycle journey through India, led her to teach English in Hanoi, and saw her studying Spanish in Guatemala. Michelle graduated with a communications degree from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and in addition to a career in advertising has worked with OnlyInYourState since 2016, where her love for travel and storytelling converges. Alongside writing and exploring, Michelle finds joy in photography, staying active, and time with her family.
For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
No matter the time of year, getting outside to enjoy the fresh air of Maine is always worth it. Mainers have hiked through wind, rain and snow and while we don’t necessarily recommend putting yourself in harm’s way, this type of hardiness is a testament to just how alluring the state’s outdoors can be. Choose any trail and get outside, but if you’re looking for something that offers a fun route with a beautiful scenic payoff consider this one!
One of the most beautiful overlooks in the state can be reached by exploring the East Grand Highlands Trail network in Danforth. There are three individual routes here and the Overlook trail, considered to be the easiest, leads directly to the views!
The trail includes a minimal elevation gain of about 300 feet. The increase is slow which helps to make this an easier hike. It's gorgeous year-round, but in the fall you'll be surrounded by foliage. And, of course, in the spring and summer you can't beat the bright green forest canopy overhead.
As you make your way to the overlook, look for the Rolling Rock glacial erratic located about a half-mile into the trail. This rock was left by ice age activity and it's impressive to imagine it being moved by ice!
Once you've enjoyed the sights (and a snack!) head back the same way you came to reach the trailhead. Once back you can choose to take one of the other two trails. Each one leads to the overlook, but the other two are a bit more challenging.
It's views like these that make us grateful to be in Maine and we think you'll feel the same way.
The East Grand Highlands Trail is a beauty throughout the year. You can learn more about by checking our alltrails.com or visit Maine Trail Finder. Both feature trail maps as well as more photos to get your excited about the trip. You can also visit the official website for the East Grand Highlands Trail network to see all three of the trails in the area.