On March 1, 2021, FBC successfully closed its $900,000 capital campaign to acquire 1400 acres in Hancock, part of a larger 4500 acres in Hancock that together form Frenchman Bay Community Forest.

The Frenchman Bay Community Forest is part of a nearly 25,000-acre undeveloped habitat block, likely the largest remaining undeveloped habitat block in Hancock County under one mile to the coast. It is accessible from the Downeast Sunrise Trail, minutes from downtown Ellsworth.

The next chapter of this land’s history will include regrowing big trees, ensuring valuable habitat for Maine’s wildlife, and creating new opportunities for outdoor recreation. Free and open to the public, the Frenchman Bay Community Forest provides opportunities for walking, hiking, biking, and snowshoeing through an extensive network of trails.

Thank you to everyone that contributed to our campaign to protect this beautiful community resource, as well as to our partner, Northeast Wilderness Trust — the organization that will manage the 3100 acres of land to the north of the Downeast Sunrise Trail — and the generous landowner who made this vision a reality.

Trail Description

The trails and gravel road are generally flat and easy to navigate. Please calculate the mileage of your intended route using the map before starting your hike. The gravel road’s length is divided into three sections based on the trail intersections. Bikes are allowed on the central gravel road, but no ATVs. Trails are for foot traffic only, and hikers should be prepared for multiple sections of bog-bridging. Hunting is allowed on this property, so please wear blaze orange during Maine’s hunting seasons. Dogs are allowed on-leash or under full voice control. Please be courteous to your fellow hikers.

Frenchman Bay Conservancy is committed to increasing the accessibility of our trails so that all people can enjoy the benefits of nature. As a first step, we have started developing detailed descriptions of our trails that include elements such as terrain, slope, trail width, rest areas, and more so that visitors can make informed decisions about whether a trail is a good fit for their abilities. Feel like something is missing from the description or have any observations to share that can make our trails safer or easier to navigate? Please let us know by emailing info@frenchmanbay.org or calling (207) 422-2328.

Detailed Trail Description:

The Community Forest’s trail system begins at the gate just off of route 182, where there is parking for roughly 6 vehicles. The gate at the start of the trail has an opening to the side, large enough for wheelchairs and most strollers to pass through. The trail system starts off on an old service road with additional trails branching off further down the road. The road is about 3 miles in length (one way) and connects to the Downeast Sunrise Trail. The 10-12 ft wide gravel road passes over a few small hills with forest and grassy fields on either side, and for the most part is on relatively level ground. 

The Southern Trail  is 1.67 mi long and starts on crushed stone. The trail is roughly 3 ft in width and weaves through a marshy area. The trail tread varies between crushed stone, hard packed native soil, pine needles and bog bridging. A large portion of the trail is crossed using bog bridging which varies between 1-2 ft in width. There are also a few sections with large stepping stones, and roots to step over. The trail ends and reconnects to the main road, where there is a four way crossing with the Northern Trail. 

The Northern Trail is 0.88 mi in length and varies in width from 2-3ft. This trail has slightly more roots crossing over the path and less level terrain than the Southern Trail. The Northern Trail also has a few long sections of bog bridging and a section that overlooks a beaver pond. The trail ends and reconnects to the main road, which then continues on for a short distance before connecting to the Downeast Sunrise Trail.

The closest bathroom to this trail would be located at the Tideway Marketplace, at 750 US-1, Hancock, Me, 1 mile away. We ask visitors to remember to practice Leave No Trace when visiting our preserves. 

Directions

The Frenchman Bay Community Forest trailhead will be accessible off of Route 182, just minutes from downtown Ellsworth, or from the Downeast Sunrise Trail. A trail kiosk will be placed at both locations, as well as at each trail intersection.