Take ME Route 182 (Blackwoods Scenic Byway) from Franklin (if coming from the west) or Cherryfield (if coming from the east). The trailhead access is located between Fox Pond to the west and Tunk Lake to the east; both are visible to the south of the road. The trailhead is a little under 1 mile from Fox Pond and just over 2 miles from the Tunk Lake boat launch. The new trailhead is available directly on ME Route 182 (north side). Look for a blue yard-arm sign identifying the trailhead.
Lying north of the Blackwoods Scenic Byway (ME Route 182) in T10 SD (an Unorganized Township), Tunk Mountain and the forests and waters in its shadows await those interested in unique natural areas, scenic views, remote fishing, and classic Maine hiking.
Starting at the rear of a new, large parking area, the hiking trail enters a mixed forest and shortly reaches a wet forested area where a series of bog-bridges winds through softwood stands. After crossing a small, clear tributary stream of Spring River Lake, the trail becomes rockier with minor ups and downs. Look for frequent large boulders deposited by former glaciers.
At 0.5 miles, the main Tunk Mountain Trail is joined by the south end of the 1.0 mile Hidden Ponds Loop Trail. From this junction, the Hidden Ponds Trail heads roughly east and rises gently before turning down towards the south shore of Salmon Pond. After passing pond views filtered through mature spruce, the trail passes through a low, rocky and wet area before reaching an attractive shelf overlooking the western end of Little Long Pond and the lower slopes of Tunk Mountain. The trail passes nearby Little Long Pond's shore before climbing back up along a small and sometime musical stream linking Mud Pond and Little Long Pond. Prior to returning to the Tunk Mountain Trail, the Hidden Ponds Trail winds through another attractive spruce stand on the shore of Salmon Pond.
The second (northern) intersection of the Tunk Mountain and Hidden Ponds Trails is only a short walk from the first intersection. Hikers looking to avoid the mountain hiking may choose to walk north on the Tunk Mountain trail a short distance (~0.1 mile) to fishless Mud Pond, a small acidic pond carved into the craggy side of Tunk Mountain. It is approximately 0.6 miles from Mud Pond back to the trailhead parking area.
Those going on to climb Tunk Mountain pass Mud Pond and quickly start climbing, steeply at times. The forest becomes predominantly softwood at and above Mud Pond. A small mountain stream is crossed and the trail slabs up a series of rises. Filtered views grow as one climbs. At 1.3 miles from the trailhead, a wide vista opens up on a set of treeless ledges. This vista point provides a compelling view of the ponds below, the hills beyond, and a portion of the downeast coastline.
Above the first vista described above, the trail moves through a short wet section before climbing steeply 0.3 miles to a vista near the crest of the long, relatively flat summit ridge. In poor weather, it is advised that hikers end their hike at the first vista point due to the steepness, exposure, and potentially slick conditions on the trail's upper sections. Two iron rungs aid hikers in one section of the upper section. Beyond the second vista point (near a conservation monument), the trail continues another 0.2 miles across open ledges to a north facing vista.
In total, the Tunk Mountain Trail is 1.8 miles, one-way.
Tell someone your plan and when you’ll return, just in case.