Blackwoods Scenic Byway
Million Dollar View Scenic Byway
The Down East Sunrise Trail
Blackwoods Scenic Byway
Distance: 12.5 Miles
Running from Franklin to Cherryfield, the byway crosses from Hancock to Washington County offering a quiet, winding journey through forested granite mountains, alongside cold kettle ponds and lakes filled with fish. The Blackwoods offers easy access to numerous boat launches, trails, primitive campsites, and swimming beaches.
Franklin was founded on a booming granite industry, and today is home to many artists and farmers. The Down East Sunrise Trail and Schoodic Mountain are easily accessed from downtown Franklin.
Cherryfield is the birthplace of the wild blueberry industry; established in 1874, Wyman’ s Blueberries is still the largest wild blueberry producer in the United States.
Suggested stops
Start with breakfast at The Paisley Loon on the Narraguagus River and explore the historic Cherryfield district, dating back to the 1700s.
Learn about the region’ s historic granite quarrying industry at Galamander Park in Franklin that showcases the Robertson Quarry Galamander.
Paddle around Fox Pond, fish and swim on Tunk Lake, or take a day hike up Tunk Mountain for a 360-degree panoramic vista.
Million Dollar View Scenic Byway
Distance: 8 Miles
Aptly called the“ Million Dollar View,” this remote stretch of U. S. 1, from Danforth to Orient in the northeastern-most section of DownEast Acadia offers travelers expansive views eastward across the Chiputneticook Chain of Lakes to New Brunswick, Canada and breathtaking views of Peekaboo Mountain and in the far distance, Mount Katahdin.
A former lumber town in the Baskahegan River Valley, Danforth marks the route’ s southerly limit and provides the most amenities. Weston is the location of a historic portage used by Native cultures and early settlers to travel between Baskahegan Stream and East Grand Lake.
The drive reaches its highest point near the top of Peekaboo Mountain near the Weston-Orient line. From this point, travelers may choose to continue along U. S. 1 north to explore Aroostook County or cross the border into New Brunswick, Canada.
The Down East Sunrise Trail
Distance: 87 Miles
The longest off-road trail section on the East Coast Greenway, the trail stretches through a natural landscape of forests, marshes, and wildlife habitat. This multi-use, multi-season route is open to mountain or fat bikes, walking, horses, Nordic skiing, and ATVs.
This inactive rail corridor provides an unpaved adventure through DownEast Acadia’ s back country with opportunities for lodging, dining, hiking, camping, and recreational fishing along the way. The trail can be explored as a whole or in three sections: the Eastern, Central or Western portions.
Climb up the refurbished former fire tower on Peekaboo Mountain in Weston for a 360-degree view of forests, lakes, and mountains.
Danforth’ s Union Hall, also known as Town Hall, is a historical landmark that hosts music and performances during the summer.
Stop at any of three Scenic Turnouts located at miles 1.5, 2.5, and 5.5.
Plan to visit this area in early to mid-October to experience some of the most spectacular foliage on the East Coast.
Hop on the historic Downeast Scenic Railroad in Ellsworth for a scenic journey once enjoyed by visitors from eastern cities as they traveled to summer resorts on Mount Desert Island.
Take a detour in Whitneyville to walk the Machias River Preserve, or enjoy the scenic vista at Middle River Park in downtown Machias.
Learn more at SunriseTrail. org
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