Hiking Long Mountain in Greenwood, Maine: Ledges, a Waterfall, and White Mountain Views
Maine’s western mountains hide plenty of rewarding hikes, and one of the newest is Long Mountain in Greenwood. A well-built loop trail climbs past a waterfall to open ledges with sweeping views toward the White Mountains — a big payoff for a moderate day hike. Here is what to know before you go.
About Long Mountain
Long Mountain rises to 1,828 feet in the town of Greenwood, in Oxford County, western Maine. Much of it lies within the Crooked River Headwaters conservation land, a roughly 12,000-acre protected area. What makes this hike special is how new it is: the Long Mountain Trail was completed and opened in the fall of 2021, giving hikers a fresh way to reach the mountain’s scenic west-facing ledges.
The Trail
The hike is a lollipop loop of about 5.5 miles (closer to 5.8 with the short spur trails to the overlooks), rated moderate to difficult. It begins at a good-sized trailhead parking area off Vernon Street in Bethel — so while the summit sits in Greenwood, most hikers start from the Bethel side. The trail is impressively well built, with bog bridges, stonework, and switchbacks, and it starts out gently alongside a stream before climbing toward the ridge. Sturdy footwear helps on the steeper, rockier upper sections.
Hidden Falls and the Ledges
Two highlights make the climb worthwhile. Along the way the trail passes Hidden Falls, a pretty cascade tucked into the woods. Higher up, the route reaches Long Mountain’s exposed west-facing ledges. From South Ledge, the trail continues about 1.3 miles to North Ledge (roughly 3.5 miles from the trailhead), and together these open outlooks deliver impressive panoramas of western Maine and the White Mountains on the New Hampshire horizon. On a clear day, it is one of the best views-for-effort hikes in the Oxford Hills.
Wildlife and Woods
The mountain’s mix of stream, forest, and open ledge makes for varied scenery and good wildlife watching. Keep an eye out for moose, white-tailed deer, and plenty of birdlife, and look for wildflowers along the trail in spring and summer. The quiet, relatively lightly traveled path adds to the sense of discovery on this newer route.
Know Before You Go
- Come prepared. Carry water, snacks, a map, and layers; the upper ledges are exposed and can be cool and breezy even on warm days.
- Watch the weather. Conditions in Maine’s mountains change fast, so check the forecast and avoid the open ledges in storms.
- Wear good boots. There are steep, rocky stretches and, in wet weather, slick roots and stone.
- Tread lightly. This is a young trail on conserved land — stay on the path, use the bog bridges, and pack out all you bring in.
More Western Maine Hikes
Long Mountain pairs perfectly with the rest of the Bethel area. Since the trail starts right in Bethel, it is easy to combine with the town’s museums, Sunday River, and Grafton Notch. For another rewarding western Maine climb, try Mount Tom in Fryeburg. Travelers heading west from central Maine often pass through the Kennebec Valley; our own town of Winslow, with its colonial-era Fort Halifax, makes a fitting stop along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Long Mountain in Greenwood, Maine?
Long Mountain rises to about 1,828 feet in Greenwood, Oxford County, in western Maine, largely within the Crooked River Headwaters conservation land.
How long is the Long Mountain hike?
The Long Mountain Trail is a lollipop loop of about 5.5 miles (up to roughly 5.8 miles with the spur trails to the ledges), rated moderate to difficult. Most hikers complete it as a half- to full-day outing.
Where is the Long Mountain trailhead?
The trailhead, with a good-sized parking area, is off Vernon Street in Bethel, Maine. Although the summit is in the town of Greenwood, the trail is accessed from the Bethel side.
What will I see from Long Mountain?
The trail passes Hidden Falls and climbs to open west-facing ledges — South Ledge and North Ledge — with sweeping views of western Maine and the White Mountains of New Hampshire.