The Barred Island Trail at Barred Island Preserve in Deer Isle, Maine is an easy 2.7-mile out-and-back hike that leads to Barred Island during low tide and features views into Penobscot Bay and views of Goose Cove.
Trail names: Barred Island Trail, Shore Loop Trail.
Location: Barred Island Preserve, Deer Isle Maine.
Permitted uses: Foot traffic only, Nature Study, Bird watching, Clamming, Fishing, Letterboxing. Hunting is permitted from October through December and all visitors are encouraged to wear blaze orange during this period. Metal detection is only allowed with written permission from the Island Heritage Trust (IHT).
Prohibited uses: No ATVs, No Camping, No Fires, No Smoking, No bikes, No motorized vehicles, No off trail hiking, No Horses, No radios and portable beach equipment (chairs,tents etc.)
Hours: Trails are day use only.
Fees and Parking: There are two parking areas and both provide ample space for easy parking. There is no fee to park or use the trails.
Pets: No pets are allowed on the trails at Barred Island Preserve. Please leave your dog at home for this trail.
Accessibility: This hike is not wheelchair accessible.
Hiker amenities: There are no trash bins, please carry out what you carry in. There are no restrooms and waste burial is not allowed because of the soil depth and fragility of the soil ecosystem. The first parking area has an information placard with a posted map. The second parking area has a smaller placard and map along with a QR code for downloading information about the Preserve with a self guided tour. We did not take advantage of the QR code, so we can not attest to its accuracy. There is a self guided tour at the Preserve with 10 points of interest that correspond to 10 numbered markers along the trail. Visitors can review these points of interest by visiting https://www.islandheritagetrust.org/ and reading the section on Barred Island’s virtual tour PDF.
Length and Trail information: The Barred Island Preserve is managed by the Island Heritage Trust (IHT). The hike is an easy-ish 2.5 miles long hike and was done as an out-and-back hike with a very small loop section. The trail is well marked with Blue blazes and wooden signs.The hike is not difficult, but the footing can be treacherous because it is heavily rooted and narrow. The Barred Island Preserve’s 60.3 acres proximity to Goose Cove and the Penobscot Bay makes this entire ecosystem foggy, cool, and moist resulting in a plethora of lichens, at least half a dozen types of ferns as well as several different types of mosses. Unfortunately this moist environment also results in slippery footing for hikers. So although there are not steep inclines or difficult sections to navigate, the footing can be a challenge. Some areas on the trail do have short boardwalks, but for the most part hikers will need to be aware of trip hazards. If hikers time their visit correctly they will be able to cross over to the 2.3 acre Barred Island via a wide tidal sandbar. Access is limited to 3 hours +/- low tide giving hikers ample time to explore the island and view the different plants, trees, animals and birds surviving in this Boreal Fog Forest. During our hike we saw huge Rugosa Rose bushes blooming in a variety of colors, full of ripe rose hips much to the delight of the red squirrels happily devouring them. We also were able to observe Marsh Skullcap, New York Asters, Lingonberry and Tawny Cotton-grass along the trail.
