The best dog-friendly hikes and walks in Sagadahoc County

Whiskeag Pond is a large, tree-ringed pond formed by the Kennebec River in Bath, Maine. This is a pretty spot to pause and take some photos and look for wildlife as you explore the long Whiskeag Trail.

The Merrymeeting Dog Park' is a great fenced dog park with two separate areas for small and big dogs. There are water fountains in the spring and summer as well as waste stations so you can pick up after your dogs. The dog park is also located along the Androscoggin River Bike & Pedestrian Path so you can take your dog on a nice, long walk after you're done playing at the park.

The 2.5 mile long Androscoggin River Bike & Pedestrian Path is a multi-use trail between the Androscoggin river and the highway. There are parks and benches along the way for you to enjoy the views over the river as you walk down this car-free path.

The Overlook Trail is one of the most popular trails at the Thorne Head Preserve. This trail cuts down the center of the peninsula with many other trails connecting to, and branching off from, it. The Overlook Trail merges with the Ridgerunner Trail near a nice viewpoint where you can see the water, with a bench near Mushroom Rock and Murder's Cave. Murder's Cave, which is off the Ridgerunner Trail, got its name from a sailor who hid from authorities on Thorne Head in the 19th century.

The Whiskeag Trail connects the conserved lands at Sewall Woods and Thorne Head Preserve to the YMCA, McMann Athletic Complex, Bath Middle School, and Oak Grove Cemetery in Bath, Maine. Named after an Abenaki word meaning "a creek that runs nearly dry at low tides," the trail follows Whiskeag Creek, which flows into the Kennebec River. The surrounding wetlands and waterways are crucial for flood control, erosion reduction, pollutant filtration, and wildlife habitat. The area supports a diverse range of species, including birds like Blue-winged Teal, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, and Egret, as well as terrestrial animals like beaver, wild turkey, and coyote. Public use of the trail is free from dawn to dusk.

The Narrows Trail skirts around the edge of the peninsula and connects with many other trails in the preserve. This popular trail takes you through rocky pine forests with great views through the trees of the water.

Thorne Head Preserve is a 96-acre property managed by the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust, located at the confluence of Whiskeag Creek and the Kennebec River near Bath, Maine. The preserve features an extensive trail system, offering stunning views of the estuary, Lines Island, and surrounding waterways. The trails vary in difficulty, from the short and accessible Overlook Trail to longer, challenging routes like 5.1-mile Whiskeag Trail. Dogs are welcome on the trails if leashed and well-mannered. Open daily from dawn to dusk, Thorne Head Preserve is free to the public.