October’s Featured Preserve: Pigeon Hill

Sunset Photo by Tom Hamilton

The Pigeon Hill Preserve is a DCC flagship property consisting of a 175-acre hill section to the West of Pigeon Hill Road and the 10-acre Shore Section between Pigeon Hill Road and Pigeon Hill Bay to the East.

Difficulty & Length: Moderate to Difficult
Blue: Historic Trail, 0.4 miles, 250 ft climb
Yellow: Silver Mine Trail, 0.4 miles, 170 ft climb
Yellow: Summit Loop, 0.3 miles, 110 ft climb
Red: Ledge Woods Trail, 0.6 miles, 170 ft climb
White: Glacial Erratic Spur, 1000 ft round trip
Blue: Shore Section Trail, 0.5 miles total

Town: Steuben

The hill section’s 1.8-mile trail system features a figure-eight loop that allows hikers to reach the summit and return without retracing their steps. The summit features spectacular panoramic views about 317 feet above sea level. The Shore Section’s 0.5-mile trail winds through a beautiful and interesting mixed woods before reaching the shore of Pigeon Hill Bay for a view of Bois Bubert Island and the distant Petit Manan Lighthouse.

Fall is a fantastic time of year to visit Pigeon Hill. Hikers can choose to hike the Historic Trail (Blue) to reach the summit in the shortest but steepest way possible. Choosing the Silver Mine Trail and Summit Loop (Yellow) allows hikers to summit gradually and discover the remains of 1800s abandoned silver mine. Exploring the Ledge Woods Trail (Red) is a more challenge and longer hike but offer views to the south that rivals the feeling of hiking in Acadia National Park only without crowds of people. Take the short Glacial Erratic Spur Trail (White) off the Ledge Woods Trail to visit the fun Big Lonely Boulder.

In the fall, enjoy the sound leaves cracking beneath your feet and the deep red colors of the blueberries amongst the summit. The early sunsets highlight the amazing views from the top but if you visit in during peak foliage the views breathtaking at any time during the day. Along the way hikers can find all of Pigeon Hill Preserve’s Nature-History Waypoints and learn more about the plant and wildlife features of this unique preserve.

Note with the new addition of the shore section, you can now hike sea to summit or summit to sea! Hiking the 0.5 miles of shore trail brings you down to a beautiful beach along the shore of the bay.

Directions: From Milbridge or points east, drive south on Rt. 1 about 2.2 miles from the sharp left turn leaving Milbridge. Turn left onto Pigeon Hill Road. Drive about 4.5 miles to the parking area opposite an old cemetery on the left.

From Steuben or points west, drive north on Rt. 1 about 4.3 miles from the Hancock-Washington County line. Turn right onto Pigeon Hill Road. Drive about 4.5 miles from the intersection of Route 1 and Pigeon Hill Road to the parking area opposite an old cemetery on the left.