Rugged terrain, rippling waters, and diverse wildlife characterize the Mahoosuc Region straddling the Maine-New Hampshire border. The area encompasses eight state parks and growing tracts of conserved lands. It's also traversed by the Appalachian Trail and bordered by the Androscoggin River. Yet it's still relatively unknown.

"The Mahoosuc Region has it all," says Bryan Wentzell, Maine policy manager for AMC. "Yet much of it is still very quiet and undiscovered."

START EXPLORING
Visit AMC's online store to get your own copy of AMC Mahoosucs Map and Guide

People have enjoyed the Mahoosuc Region for hundreds of years. Natives and early settlers hunted and fished the region, and AMC hikers mapped Mahoosuc trails as far back as 1877. Timber harvesting has long been vital to the local economy, though some practices have adversely affected area forests. Efforts to control overharvesting date back nearly a century and, more recently, as forestland has changed hands at a rapid rate, conservation efforts have increased.

AMC joined with a group of local, regional, and national organizations to form the Mahoosucs Initiative in 2005. The group is focused on the conservation, community, and economic needs of the region, and its progress is already evident. These efforts have contributed to the conservation of more than 17,000 acres in recent years, protecting land for public access, sustainable forestry, and habitat protection. An additional 25,000 acres of conservation projects are in the works.

AMC's new Mahoosucs Map and Guide aims to help people discover the natural beauty of the area and the extensive outdoor recreational activities it offers, from hiking and paddling to biking and skiing. Start exploring with these three highlights from the new map.

Hike
Table Rock Loop

Although this trail in Grafton Notch State Park doesn't take long to cover, it offers breathtaking vistas of surrounding peaks from the top of Table Rock, one of the most dramatic viewpoints in the region. Hop on the Appalachian Trail at the parking lot on the west side of Route 26 and follow it across the road and over a series of bog bridges until you get to an intersection. Bear right, following orange blazes, and at 0.5 miles, turn left to climb steep rock staircases that will bring you to the base of the rock ledge. Turn right to ascend the summit of Table Rock, a ledge that rises several hundred feet above a cliff face. You can sit and rest on this flat, open, and airy space and revel in the gigantic mountains and deep valleys around you. Follow blue blazes to take the AT back to the parking area.

Distance: 2.4 miles, 900-foot elevation gain; 2 hours

Bike
North Road: Shelburne to Gilead

Bring the kids along for this gorgeous and quiet ride along the Androscoggin River. Starting at the junction with Hogan Road in Shelburne, N.H., North Road rolls past historic farms, idyllic pastures, and deep forest with thick, shady tree canopy overhead in many sections. The Presidentials tower in the distance, giving the route a majestic backdrop. Stop at the Gilead Bridge for upstream views of the sparkling Androscoggin. Continue back the way you came, or extend the ride by crossing the Gilead Bridge and briefly following Route 2 West. Climb Route 113 to the top of the hill then turn back and enjoy the descent. For an even longer ride, continue on to Bethel, but beware of traffic as you approach the town.

Distance: 17 miles (round-trip); 2 hours

Paddle
Androscoggin River Trail: Gilead to Bethel

Start this mellow paddle by launching off Bridge Street in Gilead, Maine, on the southwest side of the Androscoggin River just before the Gilead Bridge. Paddle on slow-moving waters and enjoy good trout fishing as the river grows wider and the surrounding mountains diminish. Look for islands and sandbars along the way to step ashore for a picnic, but remember, no camping or fires are allowed. Take out at Bethel Outdoor Adventure & Campground on the north side of the river past the Route 2 bridge in Bethel. Rentals and shuttle services are available here and from other local businesses in Bethel. For a longer route, start farther up-river in Shelburne, N.H. It’s a 6-mile and 2.5-hour paddle running from the Leadmine Dam on North Road in Shelburne to Gilead. These routes are part of the larger Androscoggin River Trail, which runs a total of 50 miles from Errol, N.H., to Hanover, Maine.

Distance: 9.8 miles (point-to-point); 5 hours

Photos: Jerry and Marcy Monkman (top), Larry Ely (center, bottom)