Branch Lake Public Forest

Tucked into a quiet parcel between Ellsworth and Bangor, the Branch Lake Public Forest has three miles of trails which pass through various forest types, along a stream, to a large marsh, and to the shore of Branch Lake.
Trail Activity
Snowshoeing Hiking
Length
3.10 miles, Network
Difficulty
Moderate
Town
Ellsworth
Surface
Dirt/Forest Floor, Grass, Boardwalk/Bog Bridging
Pets
Permitted
Fees
No

Description

The Public Forest is 239 acres and currently has 5 marked hiking trails, which are being improved at this time. Additional trails are planned to create linkages between the current trails.

Tote Road (0.7 miles, easy): This is the main gravel/grass road that runs through the property connecting all of the hiking trails. A gate marks the end of the road and edge of the property. 

Marsh Trail (0.2 miles, moderate): This is the first trail on the left side as you travel the Tote Road. It passes along a recent log cut and through mossy, rocky terrain to the property boundary. A short walk along the boundary to the right brings you to the edge of an open marsh. This trail is currently flagged and the boundary is blazed in blue.

Pine Trail (0.3 miles, moderate): This is the second trail on the left side of the Tote Road, about 0.5 miles from the parking area. Bog bridging and short coniferous trees lining the trail make this a pleasant way to connect back to the Tote Road after it turns south to its end.

Brookside Trail (1.6 miles round-trip, moderate): This trail leaves the Tote Road headed North and follows alongside a brook before crossing it and heading toward Branch Lake. After a series of bog bridges, a short loop passes alongside the lake and a canoe landing before heading back inland. This trail is currently flagged, not blazed.

Lake Loop Trail (1.0 miles round-trip, moderate): This trail starts across the Tote Road from the west end of the Pine Trail. Passing through rocky terrain and over bog bridges, it is a pleasant hike to the fork in the trail, about 1 mile from the parking area. From there, walk to and along Branch Lake before returning to the Tote Road.

 

Other Information

In 2010, Frenchman Bay Conservancy collaborated with the City of Ellsworth, the Trust for Public Land, and the Forest Society of Maine in order to protect Branch Lake. Branch Lake is the singular source of drinking water for Ellsworth, eastern Maine’s largest coastal city. The lake also serves as a significant fishery for salmon, togue, and bass angling and other public recreation.

Trail maps are available on the City of Ellsworth website.

LMF Logo

This trail passes through a property that was acquired in part with funds from the Land for Maine’s Future program. For more information about the LMF program and the places it has helped to protect, please visit the LMF webpage.

 

Trail Manager

Visit Frenchman Bay Conservancy online for more information or contact:

Frenchman Bay Conservancy

Frenchman Bay Conservancy
71 Tidal Falls Road
PO Box 150
Hancock, ME 04640-0150
info@frenchmanbay.org
View website

Nearby Events

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Trail Tips

Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Respect other trail users and be courteous when passing.
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Trailhead Information

From the corner of Main Street and Route 1A (Oak Street) in downtown Ellsworth, drive north toward Bangor for 6.5 miles to the Ellsworth Branch Lake Public Forest sign on your left.  Turn left and drive 1 mile to the gravel parking lot, where the road is gated.

Please note: if you rely on Google it might lead you astray; the correct coordinates for the entrance to the access road are 44.604132200, -68.516950380.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
Please Log In or Create Account to add comments.
hikermolly!
December 15, 2023
Road into the parking lot < 1/2 mile from Rt.. 1A is completely washed out from last week’s torrential downpour. The road is blocked off with cones. No signs saying you can’t leave your car on the side of the road and walk over the section washed out. Didn’t attempt so I don’t know what condition the road or trails are further in.
tandj
January 30, 2016
Very nice trails here. The forest loop trail is beautiful and leads to the shore of the lake. There is a map at every trail intersection showing where you are and the distances between points. Very well maintained and easy hiking.
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