Hawk Mountain Maine Hiking Guide: Everything You Need To Know

Hawk Mountain is one of my favorite hikes near the Lakes Region of Maine and should be on every hiking bucket list! Although it is only 1,000 feet tall, it does not disappoint with its views, overlooking the Lakes Region and Oxford Hills. On a clear day, you can also see Mount Washington and the White Mountain National Forest!

And the best part? Hawk Mountain is a relatively easy hike open year-round with minimal elevation gain, so it is great for the entire family to enjoy in any season. If you want to hike Hawk Mountain, this guide is the perfect place to start planning! It has everything you need to know about hiking Hawk Mountain in Maine.

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Hawk Mountain Maine Hike Overview

Hawk Mountain Hike Length and Difficulty

Hawk Mountain Trail is 1.7 miles round trip with 300 feet of elevation, making it a relatively easy hike. The trail gradually gains elevation until right before the summit, where it levels out as it leads you to the viewpoint. You can either hike to the summit of Hawk Mountain or make it a loop with other overlooks. Either way, you will love this beautiful hike!

Hawk Mountain Trail Parking

Hawk Mountain is in Hatch Preserve in Waterford and has two parking lots for the trail. The first parking lot on Hawk Mountain Road is on the right and is easy to find because it has a kiosk. The second parking lot is further down the road and on the left across from the trailhead. Both are fine to use!

The parking lots are in a residential area, so please be respectful to the residents and only park in designated areas. Although the parking lots for Hawk Mountain are small, you should not have issues finding a spot because the trail is never too crowded.

Is Hawk Mountain Dog Friendly?

Yes, Hawk Mountain is dog friendly! We brought Meadow on the hike, and she loved it. We have also seen many dogs while hiking Hawk Mountain.

Best Time to Hike Hawk Mountain

Since Hawk Mountain Trail is accessible year-round, you can enjoy the beautiful hike in any season! In the winter, it makes for a fantastic snowshoeing trail. Spring and summer are some of the best times to hike to Hawk Mountain when the weather is warm. But the best time, in my opinion, is in the fall when it overlooks vibrant fall foliage. It is also a fantastic hike for sunset or sunrise in any season!

What to Pack for the Hike

Although the hike to Hawk Mountain is not too strenuous, I recommend wearing shoes with good traction and packing layers. Below are a few things I always pack on hikes, no matter the length.

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.

Hawk Mountain Maine Hiking Guide

*Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

Although the Lakes Region of Maine has many beautiful trails, Hawk Mountain is one of my favorites. For an easy hike, the views are stunning, and I promise you will quickly fall in love with this hike!

Although there are two parking areas, I typically park in the lot for Hatch Preserve, which is the first parking lot on the right on Hawk Mountain Road. You can also park in the lot further up the road on the left, but either is fine! Both are fairly small, but you should not have any issues finding a spot. Midday will have the most people on the trail, so I recommend arriving in the morning to enjoy the trails with fewer people.

You can also hike Hawk Mountain for sunrise or sunset, which will have even fewer people. We have hiked Hawk Mountain Trail for sunrise and sunset and have always been the only ones there! The spot is gorgeous during those times, too, especially when you can witness a cloud inversion like we did!

If you park in the Hatch Preserve parking lot, the trail to Hawk Mountain continues to the left before turning right to continue to Hawk Mountain. If you park further up the road, the trail continues straight all the way to Hawk Mountain. You cannot miss the trail because it is wide and looks like an old logging road. The trail gains most of the elevation in the first half of the hike but is never overly steep. Although there are a few side trails off the main one, many are overgrown, so I recommend staying on Hawk Mountain Trail to the summit.

About 0.2 miles before Hawk Mountain, the trail flattens out before descending slightly to the summit. Although Hawk Mountain does not have 360-degree views, you will not be disappointed! A large rocky overlook offers views of Oxford Hills towards the Lakes Region of Maine and Pleasant Mountain. If you hike on a clear day, you can see Mount Washington and the White Mountain National Forest to the left. The overlook has a steep drop-off at the end of it, so please be cautious when exploring it.

Once you enjoy the views from the overlook, you can hike back down the way you came or hike the loop and explore nearby overlooks. Although the other viewpoints are much smaller than the summit, the views are beautiful! No matter what, you will quickly fall in love with Hawk Mountain and its views!

If you want to hike Hawk Mountain in Maine, this guide is the perfect place to start planning. It has everything you need to know about hiking Hawk Mountain!