Some of the best hiking in the mid-coast area of Maine is very likely some of the least known.

The Georges Highland Path is a gem of a trail system offering some 35 miles of tramping through a variety of coastal landscapes, from woods to bogs to craggy mountaintops.

I've made a number of trips up that way and hardly ever see another soul on the trail. Just a few miles from the busy Route 1 corridor and carloads of summer traffic and nada, no people, or few people anyway.

I like the what's called the "Bald-Ragged Section" best. It's an 11-mile stretch of trail connecting six mountain peaks, from Bald Mountain west to Ragged Mountain and on to Pleasant Mountain.

Map of the Bald-Ragged Section of the Georges Highland Path.
Carey Kish photo

For a good day's walk try the 5-mile section up and over Ragged Mountain. That's what Fran and I and our dog Winnie hiked last Sunday, a most beautiful, albeit quite warm day in the outdoors.

We started from the Thorndike Brook trailhead, on Hope St. a half-mile off of route 17 in Rockport, and looped over the mountain, returning on busy 17 to the car (be careful) for a 6.5-mile walk total.

The going is easy at the start, through old fields, young woods, past stone walls and on and off old woods roads. Beyond, you climb, yes, but it's never real steep. And the next thing you know you're at a pretty overlook above Grassy Pond.

Hungry already we stopped to enjoy the view and grab a quick bite.

View of Grassy Pond from the Georges Highland Path.
Carey Kish photo

The trail switchbacks above, then slabs across the mountainside to a junction with the trail to Bald Mountain.

Trail junction on the Georges Highland Path.
Carey Kish photo

We continued to meander along the ridgeline, climbing gradually. Soon enough we emerged onto ledges with sweeping views to the east. The trail remains out in the open for a fair distance before swinging back into a ravine.

Came upon a 22-inch diameter red spruce along the way. Wow! Not too many of those left.
Carey Kish photo

Around the corner you are once again out into the open with fabulous walking over ledges. Mirror Lake is revealed below. Across the way the cones of East Peak, Spruce Peak and Pleasant Mountain can be seen (the trail traverses them, but that's for another day).

Outrageously beautiful hiking on the GHP on the cliffs of Ragged Mountain.
Carey Kish photo

View of Mirror Lake from the GHP.
Carey Kish photo

The trail nearly climbs to the summit of Ragged, but with the communications towers on top, I'm glad it veers off into the woods. The towers really don't seem to intrude on the experience, so no matter.

You pop out once again and get great views of the ocean, the Camden Hills, and Camden village. It's outstanding!

The path next takes you slowly down a long ridge of nearly pure red oak. It picks up an old carriage road for a half-mile of easy going. The descent continues above Mirror Lake (it's tantalizing, but you never get there - the lake a public water supply, so the trail avoids it).

You're down now, but not out. It's a good long walk beneath the front face of the mountain before the trail crosses a small brook and heads for the road.

The path emerges from the woods at Route 17. It was an easy walk back to the car, but 17 is very busy and I don't know that I'd do it again. Wish there was a complete loop. You may want to do a car spot.

GHP trailhead on Route 17 in Rockport.
Carey Kish photo

We were going to head for Lake St. George State Park for a swim, but I opened my yap and said "Hey, how 'bout Moody's for some chow?"

That's all it took to sway Fran. Moody's Dinah it was. The clams was awesome, by the way. So too the turkey dinner with all the fixin's. Yum.

Good day. You try it and see. The Georges Highland Path... you'll love it!

Get more information and trail maps from the nice folks at the Georges River Land Trust.

Ragged Mountain from Route 17.
Carey Kish photo

Have you hiked the trails of the Georges Highland Path system? What did you think?