Blackwoods Byway Overview

Published on Jul 21, 2006

The Blackwoods Byway follows State Route 182 for 12.5 miles through Maine's Washington and Hancock Counties. The byway connects blueberry towns Franklin and Cherryfield while roaming through harsh landscape filled with an assortment of rocks and boulders, pine trees and needles, twisting tree roots and limbs, and icy waters. The region's blueberry fields fill each season with color; the fields lay green carpet in spring, blossom blue in summer, and scorch scarlet in fall. Along the drive, pull over and explore the cities, the mountains and trails, and the lakes and ponds.

Two historic towns anchor the ends of the byway; Franklin lies on the west end, and Cherryfield sits at the east end. Both communities stand as a testament to the incredible impact that timber, boat building, and blueberries have had on the region's history and economy. Franklin still devotes a great portion of its land to the rigorous production of blueberries and wood. The town has a long shoreline on Hog Bay, and at low tide, you can see people slogging in the mud with short handled rakes digging for clams and fishing worms. In Cherryfield, the land opens up with fields and farms. Known as the wild blueberry capital of the world, Cherryfield dedicates 7,000 acres to blueberry cultivation, producing millions of pounds of blueberries each year. The town's tight-knit community still carries several traditions dating over a century. The weekend before July 4th, Cherryfield holds its annual Fourth of July celebration, featuring musical performances, a parade and the annual "bed race" in which contestants race down Main Street pushing a variety of beds on wheels.

As you drive, you'll be surrounded by trail-crossed, blueberry-covered mountains, dubbed "Little Switzerland" by locals. Schoodic Mountain slowly slopes up to a summit of nearly 1,080 feet, and then starkly plunges into the Atlantic Ocean. Follow one of its hiking trails connected to Donnell Pond, Tunk Lake, and the mountain chain to the east. Black Mountain has marked trails that allow you to navigate a series of peak hikes ranging from a few hours to a full, strenuous day. Tunk Mountain reaches 1,157 feet, and is known for the challenging, but rewarding two-hour climb to its summit. Bring a compass or GPS so you don't lose your way in thick forests. Once you reach the top, you'll see a panorama of lakes, ocean, and forests. On a clear day, you can spot Mount Katahdin, Maine's highest peak, located in Baxter State Park.

Explore a conglomerate of ponds, lakes, and streams by canoe or kayak. Fox Pond covers a cozy 64 acres and is a local favorite with its rocky eastern shores and boggy western ridges. Muster your courage and loft into the water from a rope swing that dangles just off the byway. For a more relaxed approach, hand-launch your boat for soothing paddling and fishing. Tunk Lake has some of the clearest water of any lake in Maine, so if you can stand the cold water, the lake's clarity provides perfect snorkeling. In warm weather, paddle Tunk Stream in a canoe or kayak. Provided water levels are sufficient, you can navigate the "Downing Bog" section where calm water allows you to paddle upstream and back. Along the way, you'll see the abundance of wildlife including moose, deer, raptors, ducks, and turtles.

The Blackwoods Byway cuts through the center of "Little Switzerland" as it travels between the historic towns of Franklin and Cherryfield. Though it sits close to the bustle of Bar Harbor and Ellsworth, the route is relaxed and unrushed. This region's leisure will entice you to explore the blueberry barren towns, rugged mountain ridges, and lucid lakes along the byway.

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