Eggemoggin Reach and brooklin
The Reach
Egemoggin Reach constitutes the southern rim of the Blue Hill Peninsula, separating it from Deer Isle. Visitors will find first-class outdoor experiences all along the reach including beaches, deep woods trails, islands for kayakers/boaters, the chance to see marine wildlife up close & the display of boats representing all design classes. According to many from afar it's one of the most beautiful places they have ever experienced.
The name Eggemoggin (“The fish-weir place” Native Am ) conjures up a long history of seafaring tradition dating back to our aboriginal mariners. The Reach provided a quick route to traders along rivers and settlements from the midcoast to Acadia. It remains an important passage for today's fishing, boatbuilding, and recreational travellers.
naskeag point
At the eastern end of the reach Naskeag Point marks the edge of Penobscot Bay. It's a straight drive down from Brooklin village. It can be busy but not overcrowded featuring a mix of lobstering folk, families, boaters, artists, cyclists and picnickers. This is a go-to spot for kayakers as there are several remarkable islands close by with excellent beaches (Hog Is., Little Hog Is., and Sellers Island where camping is allowed).
As you drive or cycle down the neck you'll see the Wooden Boat School entrance. Their campus on the water is a pleasant excursion and you can get a first hand look at the boat building classes. The gift shop has quite an extensive nautical book selection. Farther down the road, just before you reach the point, Back Road branches off to the right and forms a loop. This is a pleasant route to explore on your return and it offers a nice long stroll or a brisk walk from the parking area at the point.
The beach is sandy and you can drive onto it for kayak and small boat launches. There's a first rate pier for observation and several picnic tables to enjoy. We've purchased lobsters right from the boats here.
brooklin & center harbor
Brooklin village is charming with a general store, shops, good food and an excellent library with a marine collection of books, charts and artwork that's worth the visit. The library also has a beautiful reading garden.
A stop at nearby Center Harbor is in order for anyone who enjoys boatbuilding (check out Brooklin Boatyard). It's a picturesque harbor and launching a car top vessel from the small beach to fish or get out to some of the islands is easy.
There are boat maintenance services, a sailmaker and some interesting accomodations located here in the hamlet. Some of the oldest architecture on the coast can be viewed along the shore road, including 'Charlotte's Web' author E. B. White's farm.
cape rosier
The western terminus of Eggemoggin Reach is dominated by Cape Rosier in the town of Brooksville. As you progress down Cape Rosier Rd. the entrance to Holbrook Island Sanctuary, a State Park, will be on your right. The park has back to back beaches and deep woods trails to explore. Farther along Cape Rosier Rd., at what appears to be a fork in the road, bear left along the water's edge onto Weir Cove Rd. to reach Bakeman Beach with its amazing view of Penobscot Bay and several islands.
If you decide to continue to drive or cycle around the cape on its remote backroads you'll feel like you've left the world behind. The remote & charming village of Harborside has an entrance to the state park that will lead you to the double beaches & picnic area, or back home rolling through the park woodlands.
bakeman beach
This beach has a lot to offer. It's very quiet & sandy with safe shallow water for the kids. The scenery is the finest kind and the pictorial opportunities are wondrous. Parking is right on the beach providing easy access for all. In season you can pick your own blueberries at the farm just up the hill.
A very compatible destination for kayakers, the put in is easy and islands are reachable in short or long paddles. The primary destination is Pond Island a mile out from the beach. A note of caution here - inexperienced kayakers should not venture straight out into the open waters due to high winds and waves that can come up without notice. If you're a novice or have an open boat with no baffles stay close to shore around the left side of the beach to visit Spectacle Island and Weir Cove. Safety first - make sure you're properly geared up for anything that could happen while out there on the water.
If mobility is an issue then short or long walks can be had using walkers or walking poles. Wheelchair users can roll along the roadway (there's very little traffic) or just enjoy relaxing in bliss near your vehicle.
holbrook island sanctuary, a maine state Park
This beautiful & rugged park has plenty to explore and bird/wildlife sightings can be exciting. I've seen more wildlife on Cape Rosier than at any other shore location in my decades exploring the Maine coast. There are 9 well maintained trails branching off smooth gravel roads plus back-to-back beaches for swimming, kayak/canoeing, fishing and picnicing.
Getting out to Holbrook Island in a kayak, with its extensive pristine beach on the north side, can be a longish paddle from the main beach via Smith Cove through outer Castine harbor. It can also be a quick paddle from the second beach. Note: you will have to portage for about 100 yards on a wide flat trail to get to the secondary back-to-back beach but it will save you lots of paddle time and energy.
For those with mobility problems the beach access is a bit steep. Wheelchair users and those with walkers may decide to stay above the beach at the picnic tables. The view is marvelous.
