Seven of us were on the fourth day of a weeklong vacation on Deer Island in Passamaquoddy Bay. Located just over the international border in New Brunswick, we were camping at Deer Island Point Campground on the southern end of the island. Several of us had spent the previous two days engaged in exceptional sea kayaking adventures along the remarkable shoreline.
Our original intent had been to combine sea kayaking with hiking and biking while on the island. However, the opportunities for those activities on Deer Island were a disappointment. The only hiking trail of substance was in Chocolate Cove which consists of a mile long loop hike with minimal views. We didn’t find any bike trails so cycling was limited to island roads. The island roads are lightly traveled but lack the solitude and ambience of bike trails.
However, we knew of a very appealing alternative a short ferry ride away on nearby Campobello Island, the exceptional trails of Roosevelt Campobello International Park. All veterans of the trail network, we decided to devote a full day exploring them. Five of us planned to bike while the other two would hike.
Four of us traveled in my car while carrying two bikes so the hikers would have a vehicle to access hiking trails. The other three chose to ride their bicycles and leave cars behind, a much less expensive ferry trip.
The ferry supposedly leaves from Deer Island to Campobello on the hour throughout the day. In fact, it really departs when it is full or as soon as all waiting vehicles are loaded, irrespective of the time. Although technically 20 minutes early, two of the cyclists missed the ferry. We waved to them as the ferry launched into the bay. The message was clear, get to the ferry landing early!
Once on Campobello, we drove and/or biked to the Roosevelt Campobello International Park Visitor Center. This is an ideal place to meet and organize as there is a large parking area and public restrooms.
The two hikers left in search of hiking opportunities. We three cyclists crossed Highway 774 and entered the trail system on Glensevern Road. Turning immediately right onto Fitz Williams Trail, we rode the almost flat surface towards Cranberry Point Road.
Angling left onto Cranberry Point Road, we cycled the bumpy gravel road to scenic Cranberry Point where we stopped to enjoy the views of rugged West Quoddy Head in the distance. The recently constructed Friendship Trail that begins at Cranberry Point was a priority for us. The new, heavily publicized trail crosses a massive bog where a unique bridge has been built.
We biked the hilly trail southeast towards a substantial cove with the unlikely name Lower Duck Pond. After proceeding through a heavily wooded area, we emerged onto a widespread bog. An extensive floating metal bridge traverses the bog to protect the sensitive terrain. In my opinion, the bridge is a masterpiece.
Shortly after leaving the bog, we paid a short visit to picturesque Lower Duck Pond and then followed Liberty Point Road to the magnificent headland where we stopped for a break to enjoy the phenomenal vistas. While there, our missing cycling partners finally joined us after catching a later ferry. We all relaxed on a cliff overlooking mammoth Sugarloaf Rock.
After returning to the Lower Duck Pond area, we followed a stimulating single track trail that tumbles mostly downhill in a northeasterly direction to Raccoon Head where we rejoined Liberty Point Road. Progressing north, we visited another marvelous overlook, Con Robinson’s Point.
Shortly beyond, Liberty Point Road connects with Glensevern Road. We followed the rough, gravel road north back to park headquarters.
The hiking duo was waiting when we arrived at the visitor center. They had completed a trek to Eagle Hill which entailed crossing a long boardwalk over another expansive bog to the scenic summit and followed that with a spectacular hike to Friar’s Head, a trail that begins at the visitor center.
Following an outstanding day of hiking and biking, we made a point of getting to the ferry landing early. No one wanted to risk involuntarily spending an unplanned night on Campobello.
My book, “Maine Al Fresco: The Fifty Finest Outdoor Adventures in Maine” devotes 25 chapters to hiking, biking and sea kayaking in Maine.
Ron Chase resides in Topsham. His latest book, “Maine Al Fresco: The Fifty Finest Outdoor Adventures in Maine” is available at northcountrypress.com/maine-al-fresco or in bookstores and through online retailers. His previous books are “The Great Mars Hill Bank Robbery” and “Mountains for Mortals – New England.” Visit his website at ronchaseoutdoors.com or he can be reached at [email protected]