The first 5.5 mile section of the Round the Mountain Trail is now open for hiking, running, and biking on Ragged Mountain in Camden, Rockport and Hope.

This completed section of trail extends from the Camden Snow Bowl to the new Thorndike Brook Trailhead, on the west side of Ragged Mountain in Hope.

The vision of the Round the Mountain Trail is an 8.5-mile, multi-use trail that circumnavigates Ragged Mountain. It will offer access for a wide range of users and abilities, and permanently conserve more than 1,500 acres around Mirror Lake and Grassy Pond. Construction of the trail began in 2019.

The trail is a keystone project of the Round the Mountain Collaboration, a multi-year fundraising campaign led by Coastal Mountains Land Trust, with significant support from Maine Water Company, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, local municipalities, and numerous local outdoor recreation groups.

OBP Trailworks, a Maine-based trail construction business, will continue work on the trail in 2021. The Land Trust hopes to host a formal trail dedication in the summer of 2021. Fundraising continues for the approximately $200,000 needed to complete trail construction and secure the long-term care for the trail.

The Thorndike Brook Trailhead is located at 223 Hope St. in Hope (Note: Google maps does not show this accurately). To access the Trailhead, turn onto Hope Street from Route 17 (eight miles north of Rockland) or from Gillette Road. The new parking lot is just past the existing parking lot for the Georges Highland Path (three-quarters of a mile from Route 17). The new Round the Mountain Trail can be accessed directly from the parking lot, including a one-quarter of a mile accessible, stone dust path.

To access the Trailhead from the Camden Snow Bowl on Barnestown Road, park on the left side of the toboggan parking lot. Follow the Round the Mountain Trail signs for 1-mile trail along the existing Kuller Trail. (Note: Google maps does not show this accurately).

Additional information about the trail system, including a detailed map, trail conditions reports, seasonal closures, volunteer opportunities and how to support the effort can be found online at coastalmountains.org.

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