Maine doesn’t have a lot of castles. But we do have a sprinkling of sweet stone lookout towers that we can climb up to act out all of our royal fantasies and fight dragons and conquer our enemies. Or at least enjoy sprawling views.
There is one such stone tower atop Douglas Mountain in Sebago, where you can ascend the stairs and take in a mountain-top view of Sebago Lake and the Maine Lakes Region (aka: YOUR DOMAIN)!
Douglas Mountain features 2.8 miles of network trails – including a few options for making your way to the summit. While there are some steep sections that will get your heart pumping as you go, the trail distances (ranging from 0.25 miles to 1 mile) are still short enough to make for a family-friendly and beginner-friendly trek.
There are two trailheads for Douglas Mountain – although only one parking area on Douglas Mountain Road. From the parking area you can access the 1-mile Eagle Scout Trail (which later meets up with the Nature Trail). Just a smidge farther up the road (it’s an uphill walk) you’ll find a pick up and drop off area (no parking is allowed here) and the trailheads for the 0.4-mile Woods Trail and the 0.25-mile Ledges Trail.
Everyone has their favorite way up (on a recent Sunday, I ran into a friend in the parking lot who prefers the Eagle Scout Trail. My hiking partner for the day, Wendy, says her heart belongs to the Ledges Trail). The perk to small local mountains like this: You can come back often and try them all. Or go up one trail and down another.
The Ledges Trail is one Wendy has hiked 100 times – frequently with her kids when they were little. It’s only a quarter mile (not including the 0.2-mile walk up the road from the parking lot to the trailhead), but it’s steep enough to keep your heart rate up all the while.
There are also a few spots where the trees open up to offer purty views into the distance.
At the summit on a nice day, you’ll also find plenty of folks relaxing in the sun or enjoying a picnic (a shorter hike up = don’t mind the weight of more snacks)!
Douglas Mountain
Douglas Mountain Road, Sebago
FMI: Check out additional trail details on www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/douglas-mountain
