#exploreellsworth

We have partnered with Desert Harvest, Wayne & Jemily Ayers-Creech of Back to the Basix, Maine Trail Finder, and the Look Out For ME initiative to provide guidelines, tips, and resources for your next Ellsworth adventure. By assembling this page of downtown Ellsworth-centric walks we aim to highlight our city’s natural attributes making it easy to plan your next shopping, eating, hiking trip to downtown Ellsworth. Be sure to pair both of the above resources as you venture out this season. Take care of the land. Take care of yourself.

UNION RIVER TRAIL “THE RIVERWALK”

In 2022, the Union River Walk was transformed from a makeshift path into a sustainable trail. It begins behind the Ellsworth Public Library and offers visitors a short, tree-lined and river-side escape from the bustle of nearby Main Street.

The first 165-feet of the trail are ADA accessible, with a gravel surface of about three to four feet wide. The ADA section ends at an overlook where visitors can stop, relax, and take in a view of the river, and maybe spot some ducks or other wildlife. Past the ADA section, the trail narrows and includes obstacles such as stone steps. From the end of the trail, hikers can get a good view of the dam.

FMI: Frenchmanbay.org

DOWN EAST SUNRISE TRAIL “SUNRISE TRAIL”

The Down East Sunrise Trail starts in Ellsworth and extends to Calais, Maine.  This multi-use corridor connecting eastern Maine and the East Coast Greenway is a natural landscape of green forests and vast marshes, a habitat for iconic moose, beavers, eagles, wild turkeys, and whitetail deer.

FMI: Downeast Sunrise Trail

WOODLAWN TRAILS

Woodlawn Trails were built as exercise tracks for the Black family’s horses, and later automobiles were driven on them. Today they are used for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, running, and walking. Benches are provided near the peaceful lily pond and other locations for rest and contemplation. 

FMI: Woodlawn Museum, Garden & Park

Click here for a printable map.

JORDAN HOMESTEAD

Jordan Homestead is a Frenchman Bay Conservancy Trail with both a wet and dry ecosystem located in greater downtown Ellsworth. This 31-acre property features a one-mile trail that offers views of 3,000 feet of frontage on the Union River, mature forestland, and a stretch of the scenic Whittaker Brook. From the trailhead, visitors can view the centuries-old cemetery and heritage garden. This property is one of Ellsworth’s few remaining intact parcels with significant river frontage. The Homestead Preserve was previously owned by the Jordan family for more than 200 years before it was acquired by Frenchman Bay Conservancy in 2017.

FMI: Frenchman Bay Conservancy

BRANCH LAKE PUBLIC FOREST

This Branch Lake trail is tucked into a 239-acre quiet parcel between Ellsworth and Bangor with three miles of trails that pass through various forest types, along a stream, to a large marsh, and to the shore of Branch Lake. The City of Ellsworth and Frenchman Bay Conservancy work together to offer this special resource to the public AND your beloved pets are permitted to join you!

FMI: Frenchman Bay Conservancy

STANWOOD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY “BIRDSACRE”

Stanwood Wildlife Sanctuary (Birdsacre) encompasses a sweeping 200 acres of protected wilderness, rolling back from the bustling Route 3 Ellsworth/Bar Harbor road, surrounding the original 40-acre Stanwood property. Here one may trace the original paths Cordelia Stanwood's feet carved into the forest floor during her nature studies, passing many of her favorite spots, like the Queen’s Throne where she loved to listen to the hermit thrushes sing at evening-tide or hike deeper into the woodlands. Cordelia’s unique, interconnected trail system is perfect for all ages; interesting to adults, and entertaining for children. The Sanctuary is open year-round from dawn to dusk and funded by donations.

FMI: Birdsacre

Click here for a printable map.

ELLSWORTH HISTORIC STATE STREET WALKING TOUR

Our Historic State Street Walking Tour was created in partnership by the Ellsworth Public Library, Ellsworth Garden Club, and Ellsworth Historical Society. This is a self-guided tour focusing on notable historic buildings, gardens, and trees. Stop by the Ellsworth Public Library for a printed copy.

FMI: Ellsworth Public Library

Click here for printable map

ELLSWORTH SHORE ROAD

Ellsworth's Shore Road, while not an official hike, will take you back in time to explore where the road and river meet. Enter either from Ellsworth Falls or State Street and you'll see shorebirds, deer, fox, moose, and the Ellsworth Water Works building! Special thanks to Ellsworth resident Richard Lyles for his inspiration and photo.

ELLSWORTH TRAIL

Ellsworth Trail is a short and flat paved trail providing a nice, traffic-free connection for pedestrians traveling between Ellsworth Falls and Downtown Ellsworth. It can be enjoyed at any time of year, but be prepared for snow and ice in the winter. Many people use it to walk pets, take a lunch break, or as part of a long-running loop around town. It is away from the main roads, quiet, and pleasant. 

FMI: Maine Trail Finder Website

MEADOWBROOK FOREST

Meadowbrook Forest is Blue Hill Heritage Trust's newest large forest block, totaling over 2,030 acres! With over 9 miles of logging roads, including a 5-mile loop, this trail is ideal for walking, running, or biking. Along the trail, you will see “you are here” signs as there are several spur roads. This property is located off Route 1 between The North Bend Road and Christian Ridge Road in Ellsworth. There is a sign indicating the property. Note there are a few private landowners who have camps inside the property, so you may encounter an occasional vehicle while hiking/biking.

FMI: Blue Heritage Trust Meadowbrook Forest

Click here for printable map

MUSEUM IN THE STREETS

This historic walking tour starts at Knowlton Park or on State Street in the heart of downtown. The walk includes 19 panels spread throughout the city mark its past with photographs and historical facts. Paper brochures are available at City Hall, the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce and the Ellsworth Public Library.

FMI: ellsworthhistory.org

HARBOR PARK

Harbor Park is located at 413 Water Street in downtown Ellsworth, Maine. This City of Ellsworth park is open In-Season (May 15 – October 15) from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. and off-season (October 16 – May 14) the park is Closed. For the exclusive use of the park, reservations are required. Well-behaved pets are welcome on a leash and the park is handicap accessible. The park is equipped with restrooms, docks, and a gazebo. 

FMI: City of Ellsworth

INDIAN POINT

Indian Point Preserve is located on the Union River in Ellsworth, across from the marina. The trail from the parking lot to the point and back is .75 miles. There is a scenic view of downtown Ellsworth from the point. The views up and down the Union River make this an ideal spot for a hiker’s picnic or a break from work. Watch for occasional river otters swimming past! Allow 30 minutes for hiking. This trail is managed by Frenchman Bay Conservancy.  

FMI: Frenchmanbay.org

Click here for printable map:

GREEN LAKE NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY TRAILS “THE HATCHERY”

The Hatchery hiking trails pass glacial erratics and old cellar holes. Visitors can also rest on a bench overlooking Green Lake. This well-built, supposedly handicap-accessible trail features information about the fish stocking program and gives visitors a look at young salmon. You can choose between 0.8- and 1.5-mile loop trails.

FMI: FWS.gov