Great Wass Island Preserve

Costal Maine's true gem! The mountains, the sea, the forest, the beach... all in one! The 5-mile trail loop is moderately difficult, mainly on the shoreline trail, but well worth it for fantastic views, unbelievable vibes, and beauty hidden in plain sight! I would rate Great Wass Island Preserve over Acadia National Park any day of the week. Have returned 3 times in a month's time, and would go back again and again!

May be best park scenery of all our many downeast Maine hikes. Red lingonberries! Red mountain holy berries and a white yellow centered whorled wood aster! Blueberries to eat. Counterclockwise 2 miles of a big, fir spruce forest, blueberries, then 2 miles amaaazing shore, the mile again spruce forest. Took us avid hikers 4 hours for 4.5 mile loop. Not strenuous but VERY high risk for knee and ankle injury due to slippery and lots of roots, rocks...some loose along shore. *I did 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail 2 years ago and this was rough even for me!

Wow! What a challenging hike! Wear proper footware! (We didnt) . The shoreling rocks are amazing to climp and follow the trail markers!

Not a difficult hike. We are 60 and 65 years old. Did it impromptu, with 'inappropriate' shoes... A bit dicey in some parts of the shoreline, but I can say that it was the best easy 5 mile hike I can remember. Views, changes in climate, examples of large and small natural beauty.

It was energizing and inspiring. We both exclaimed how we had been to Mount Desert Island several times and had been all over it, but hadn't found a single walk there to match this one. Very glad it is off of the beaten trail, but more people should get to enjoy it! Planning to give money to The Nature Conservancy. This needs to be protected!

Amazing slice of Maine. The coastline hike is exceptional. Can be challenging at times but the trail is well marked an a must do for any hiker wanting to get away from the crowds and see true Maine. Bring water & lunch ... spend the day.

This is a beautiful place with breath taking views. I loved all of the hike, but my favorite part was the Oceanside hike. The markers were sometimes hard to find and you would not want to hike after sundown. This is not handicapped accessible and requires some climbing. To put it into perspective, we brought our 7 and 9 year old with us and I have herniated discs and we did good. My 7 year old did get tired about 3/4 of the way into the hike but she made it!
The sights here cannot be put into words!

Do beautiful andcan unusual trail across the boulders,,you will find another blue paint line! Not marked very well at the entrance to tge parking lot. I just guessed I was in the right place and pulled in. Right after DEI.

I loved the serenity watching the tide go out and the many seagulls diving for 🐟 fish. There is parking in the park with a small beach, picnic tables and chairs, BBQs and a portable toilet. You could camp overnight in the woods or in a self contained van.

Wonderful hike. We got to see seals and birds.

If you’re halfway into hiking this is really easy, gorgeous pay off beautiful woods, one word is perfect

Awesome drive - gorgeous scenery - peaceful almost indescribable

Drive in was serene and beautiful. Parking area was ample, and easy to find. Trails well marked, and while they provide a little challenge, they're easy to follow. The scenery is beautiful, with dense forest leading to picturesque coastal views; basically everything you'd expect from a hike in Maine! I definitely recommend this one. Be sure to take a lunch or snack... there's a perfect rocky "beach" on which to rest up.

Such an amazing place to hike. We've been a couple times now and loved both.

Quiet, nice 4.5 mile hike. Lots of waterfront views, though the path around is “interpretive” at times.

Great hike. Lots of beautiful shoreline. Took about 3.5 hours including a nice quick lunch stop. If you take the route counter-clockwise the first leg is pretty long to get to the shore and then there is a lengthy shore scramble (which isn’t always clearly marked) followed by two easy inland segments. Great to do at high tide and see all the coves. We are very glad we didn’t have our kids, this would have been very rough with anyone pre-teen.

This is an amazing place to visit. It is not a long hike and can easily be done in an hour or two, but the views and scenery are well worth it! Great, great place to experience nature and the coast.

Nice 4.5 hike through gorgeous woods, then around and over huge, boulders and rock formations on the shore, then through another section of woods back to the parking lot. The trail can be challenging in places, but very scenic and pleasurable.

Everyone on the island should visit this preserve at some point! Lovely hiking trails and views. I've spotted snakes, birds, and a whale skeleton on hikes here over the years. Just bring some bug spray. Also, it is posted that there are no dogs allowed, though I think most of the locals are pretty understanding about pooches on the trail.

Great hiking 🥾 and views and shorebirds!

Beautiful walking trails at end of road. About 2 mile hike and you end at beautiful rocky Maine coast with a lighthouse off to the left as you emerge from the forest. Well maintained trail and improved wooden walkways over swampy area's. One of the best kept secrets on the Maine Coast!