It’s a great feeling to be on a walk, with your eager dog trotting forward next to you, his tags jingling, his eyes bright, tongue visible in an expression of fresh-air joy. It’s even better if the ground beneath your six foot frame is unpaved, and your surroundings are not composed of cars and buildings but instead, the wild beauty of Maine. With the foliage season gradually reaching its peak, what better time to explore our state’s landscape and do one of these four dog-friendly hikes:
Mackworth Island (Andrews Avenue off Route 1, Falmouth): If you haven’t brought your mutt here yet, do it now. Dogs love to sniff around the 1.25-mile trail that runs around the perimeter of the island. The hike takes about an hour at a leisurely pace, and is filled with gorgeous views of Portland and Casco Bay. And Mackworth is a bird sanctuary, so your dog is likely to ‘make friends’ with seagulls, osprey and other shorebirds. Open from dawn to dusk.
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge (321 Port Road, Wells): Rachel Carson, a famed marine biologist, is credited with helping to awaken American society to environmental concerns, a fact that is underscored by the beauty of the one-mile hike around the Rachel Carson Trail. You and your leashed good buddy will enjoy the deciduous (hardwood) and pine (softwood) forest, salt marsh, and the vista of the Atlantic. When it’s time to climb back into the car, you will be in possession of one happy dog. Open from dawn till dusk.
Mount Agamenticus (100 Mountain Road, York): Consisting of more than 10,000 acres located within an additional 30,000-acre expanse of conservation land, this well-marked trail system provides what you would traditionally think of as hiking. There are ascents and descents, quiet spots deep in the forest for you and Fido to take a water break, and a real connection with nature for human and canine. There are no garbage receptacles, so be prepared to carry any waste back to the trail head. Open from dawn to dusk.
Acadia National Park (via I-295 N and I-95 N): It’s a three-hour drive, but make sure you make it to Acadia before the snow flies. Camp, hike, kayak, bird watch, climb, and more, for a true outdoor experience with your furry friend. Dogs are allowed on island public transport as long as they are leashed. Visit https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/pets.htm for specifics on where dogs are allowed throughout the park. Cost of admission is $20/car, good for seven days. Passes sold at park headquarters weekdays, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. through Oct. 31.
