Gulf Hagas
Gulf Hagas
4.5
About
A four-mile-long gorge with vertical walls rising up to 400 feet.
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4.5
42 reviews
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28
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8
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lovetotravel560
Arnold, MD782 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
This is a beautiful gorge, series of waterfalls and hike in a very remote part of Maine on PRIVATE PROPERTY. You have to drive 40+ miles on dirt roads and pay $17/person to enter this private land/logging property. The information on this hike and area was hard to understand. We had thought it was a state park. It is not. If you come from the south (near the Ironworks) you pay your fees and then proceed to drive miles to the first trailhead coincides with the Appalachian Trail. The parking and trail running from it near the AT require you to cross a small river about 18 inches deep the day we were there. We decided to try the northern trailhead to access the water falls and gorge. From the northern parking/trailhead it is a 2.5 mile hike to the first waterfall. To see 2 waterfalls and the beginning of the gorge it is at least a 5 mile hike. The entire loop is apparently a difficult hike and requires hours to complete. Do your homework before you begin!
Written October 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie S
8 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
We read some of the reviews and luckily did not encounter the bugs described by some. Views were amazing and hike was of average difficulty (my ten year old did the loop which was about 4 hours from the parking lot). We packed a towel to wipe our feet at the river crossing and had no issues crossing. Mixed terrain which kept it interesting. Very well maintained trail!
Written August 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaineisleGal
Owls Head, ME50 contributions
Sep 2021
This was a beautiful, well marked hike. We received a great map at the KI checkpoint. We parked at the eastern lot (Gulf Hagas) near the Hermitage. That parking lot has room for about 10 cars but we were told at the KI gate that parking is allowed on the side of the road. There are pit toilets at the parking area. Wading across the river was easy since the water was low (a foot deep at most). We were very happy to find a Ridge Runner (AT volunteer) at the crossing. She answered our questions and suggested we leave our water shoes under the bench instead of carrying them with us - great idea! We went out the Rim Trail as far as Buttermilk Falls. A thunderstorm was imminent so we headed back to the parking lot via the Pleasant River Tote Trail. This was a beautiful hike and very worthwhile. For the most part it is not difficult, but there are very rocky/uneven/slippery areas where you need to be careful.
Written September 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Becky Goodell
Raymond, ME3 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
My husband, and another of our buddies from out platoon tried to hike here with our buddies girlfriend. I pointed out the sign to my husband so we parked in front of the Khatadin Iron Works. He got out and went to the window. The lady there was a very rude, and told him to register. He asked to do so and she told him no, that we could find another way until the trail and that he was being rude.
As there were 3 veterans in the vehicle we all thought it best for us to leave as clearly this employee who was going on about all the good Gov. Mills is doing is against us military folk. Very disappointed for this state to be represented by this lady in the shack. We'll be heading to another site. And as much as we wanted to do this hike I refuse to give money to the wench.
As there were 3 veterans in the vehicle we all thought it best for us to leave as clearly this employee who was going on about all the good Gov. Mills is doing is against us military folk. Very disappointed for this state to be represented by this lady in the shack. We'll be heading to another site. And as much as we wanted to do this hike I refuse to give money to the wench.
Written August 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim H
34 contributions
Sep 2024 • Solo
Stunning views and was not crowded at all even though I was there on Labor Day weekend. The perfect antidote to summer crowds in Maine since it is quite remote. A somewhat aggressive hike in spots. You have to cross a river with knee deep water so bring water shoes and a small towel to wipe off. Gorgeous place!!
Written September 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maritimeexplorer
Nova Scotia, Canada4,251 contributions
Nov 2012 • Friends
First of all Gulf Hagas is nowhere near Rockwood. It should be listed as Greenville if you are coming in from the northern end or Brownville Junction if from the south.
It appears from the reviews that some hikers are not aware that for the past few years there is a much easier alternate route from the town of Greenville to a newly constructed bridge over the Pleasant River. No need to ford the river and start off with wet feet if you come in by this route. From the parking lot it is a fairly easy 1.6 miles to the start of the Rim Trail. It is also possible to hike the trail in one direction if you have two cars. Park the first one at the southern parking lot and then take the KI Road up to the northern parking lot close to the bridge. This will involve crossing the river at the end of the hike, but for most that is preferable to doing it at the start. Doing it this way also makes it easier to do the entire Rim Trail as well as visit Screw Auger Falls and the Iron Works all in one day.
Others have described how difficult the trail is and that is no exagerration. The continuous up and down over what can be very slippery and root covered rocks requires paying close attention to where you step. Even with walking sticks and well gripped hiking boots both my hiking companion and I each took a good fall. As a local expert he had hiked the trail on many occassions and was kind enough to point out a number of places where others had met an untimely end - a real condidence booster! And finally, as others have noted, Gulf Hagas is no Grand Canyon.
So why bother? Because accepting the challenges will take you through an amazing stretch of waterfalls, rapids and increasingly narrow chasm that is unique. Hopefully that will come through in the attached pictures.
Also, if you do go in by the northern route consider when you get back to Greenville consider driving north on the Lily Bay Road to Prong Pond Road and follow the well marked signs to the site of a B-52 crash in 1963. Amazingly the crash remains are strewn throughout a hardwood forest on the edge of Elephant Mountain and have been left as a monument to the fliers who were killed in the crash. This is not a hike, but an easy walk a short distance from the parking lot.
It appears from the reviews that some hikers are not aware that for the past few years there is a much easier alternate route from the town of Greenville to a newly constructed bridge over the Pleasant River. No need to ford the river and start off with wet feet if you come in by this route. From the parking lot it is a fairly easy 1.6 miles to the start of the Rim Trail. It is also possible to hike the trail in one direction if you have two cars. Park the first one at the southern parking lot and then take the KI Road up to the northern parking lot close to the bridge. This will involve crossing the river at the end of the hike, but for most that is preferable to doing it at the start. Doing it this way also makes it easier to do the entire Rim Trail as well as visit Screw Auger Falls and the Iron Works all in one day.
Others have described how difficult the trail is and that is no exagerration. The continuous up and down over what can be very slippery and root covered rocks requires paying close attention to where you step. Even with walking sticks and well gripped hiking boots both my hiking companion and I each took a good fall. As a local expert he had hiked the trail on many occassions and was kind enough to point out a number of places where others had met an untimely end - a real condidence booster! And finally, as others have noted, Gulf Hagas is no Grand Canyon.
So why bother? Because accepting the challenges will take you through an amazing stretch of waterfalls, rapids and increasingly narrow chasm that is unique. Hopefully that will come through in the attached pictures.
Also, if you do go in by the northern route consider when you get back to Greenville consider driving north on the Lily Bay Road to Prong Pond Road and follow the well marked signs to the site of a B-52 crash in 1963. Amazingly the crash remains are strewn throughout a hardwood forest on the edge of Elephant Mountain and have been left as a monument to the fliers who were killed in the crash. This is not a hike, but an easy walk a short distance from the parking lot.
Written November 25, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David G
Middletown, RI82 contributions
Jul 2018 • Business
Based on all the wonderful reviews, we tried to hike here. After 45 minutes of dirt roads, we came upon a private toll booth. We knew that some private property owners did indeed charge fees. We were okay with that. But the gatekeepers tried to charge us almost $30. It was roadside extortion. Suffice to say, we chose not to pay. To add insult to this all, the gatekeeper was rude.
Written July 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew Daniel
Rochester, MA31 contributions
I decided to hike Gulf Hagas this past September after hearing about its waterfalls and swimming holes. Now mind you, I didn't end up swimming since it was the middle of September, and it was 60 degrees out, but it was still a really awesome hike. Going to Gulf Hagas you have to take the Katahdin Ironworks Road from either Greenville or Brownville Junction, which is not paved since it is an active logging road and can be a little bumpy. I went in from Brownville, and the drive was fine, but before you get to the parking area, you do have to stop at the KI checkpoint to pay a fee to use the road. I paid $12 since I was from out of state, but Maine residents only pay $10. You can also pay $2 for a map, but I just downloaded the map online for free before I went. There are also campsites around the Gulf Hagas area that one can also use for a fee, which can be paid at the checkpoint. From the checkpoint, there are two different areas you can start the hike at. The first parking area that you can start from requires fording a stream, and the second parking area (or first if you are coming from Greenville) does not require crossing a stream. I started from the first parking area coming from Brownville, and decided to ford the stream, which is not as high in the Fall, but can be much more treacherous in the Spring, so be wary! It was a little less than knee high at its deepest, and I would definitely recommend packing an extra pair of socks in case. I actually packed a pair of water shoes just to ford the stream and changed back into my hiking shoes after crossing it. From the stream, is a short hike along the Appalachian Trail to the beginning of the Rim Trail, which follows along the edge of the gorge, and loops around back to where the Rim Trail starts. I decided to go left and start along the edge of the gulf. This part of the trail does have side trails that go down to where the waterfalls that Gulf Hagas is known for are, but further along the trail after Screw Auger Falls, can be very steep, so take caution. It is not impossible to do, but there is a lot of up and down. Along the trail, there are also two different cutoff trails, which make the trip a little bit shorter, but if you decide to do the entire loop from the parking area and back, it is about 9 miles. I decided to take the second cutoff trail, which made my trip about 6 miles, since I started a little late, and it was starting to get dark at 6:30 pm.
Written March 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EllieRose603
Newmarket, NH22 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
My boyfriend and I decided to take up Gulf Hagas while on vacation in Millinocket and I am so glad we did. After reading many reviews we decided to take our dog with us (2 year old mutt mix) and she did fine. She loves climbing and scaling rocks so we had no trouble with the steep sections because she would just jump over them. HOWEVER, I would not recommend this trail to people with dogs that are older, have difficulty climbing rocks or get tired easy. This hike can take anywhere from 3-8 hours depending on which loops you take and the speed of your pace.
First of all, get a good trail map- the National Park Service put together many trial markers and 'viewpoint' signs throughout the area but you won't be able to identify what these mean without the maps they go with. These maps can be found at the information booth at the outskirts of the park for a small fee. Second of all, wear good shoes or even better, hiking boots. Although the trails in the park do not have a ton of incline to them, they often involve steep sections of rocks or boulders that either have to be climbed or scaled down. There are also damp wet spots, muddy terrain and if you're coming from the West Parking lot, a river to be crossed. Drinking water is also recommended.
We hiked in from the West Side at Hay Brook. There were toilets at the parking lot and a big map/sign indicating the location. If you enter the park this way, you will have to cross a river. It wasn't deep when we crossed it but the rocks underwater were slippery so be careful. The river was probably 150 feet across. From here it's about 2 miles to the actual Gulf Hagas trailhead loop. Look for the old giant white pines along the way!
I read somewhere that you should take the left fork when you reach the Gulf Hagas welcome sign located on a giant boulder, this way you can hit all of the 'viewpoints' first when making the loop. This was really good advice because the Pleasant River Tote Road is a nice flat straight shot of a trail so it was much easier and way faster returning to the cars that way. On the other hand, the left trail (Rim Trail) is completely opposite, it follows the rim of the river gorge hence its name so it rises and falls quite frequently and at points you'll be forced to climb steep sections of rock.
The various viewpoints along the Rim Trail are amazing. You'll come across various waterfalls, steep sections of gorges, large basins in the rock wall and some pretty neat natural beauties. But beware of that fact that this trail is on the rim of a gorge which means the drop from the trail down to the river is sometimes hundreds of feet so make sure your dog (or kids!) don't go running ahead without being aware of that.
The overall loop is a pretty long hike, I think it took us 6.5 hours to do that entire thing, stopping once at buttermilk falls to swim & have lunch. However there are a couple intersecting trails along the way that can be used to scale down the length of your hike. These can also be used as 'fast-track' trails if you just want to see one viewpoint, just take the easier Tote Road and cut across a dissecting trail to make the loop a little less strenuous.
I definitely recommend Gulf Hagas as a day trip while visiting the Great north Woods area, although the fee to get into the park is a little steep (maybe $10/pp bc they charge what campers would pay for a night) but it's totally worth it If you have time check out the old iron works site at the west branch side!
First of all, get a good trail map- the National Park Service put together many trial markers and 'viewpoint' signs throughout the area but you won't be able to identify what these mean without the maps they go with. These maps can be found at the information booth at the outskirts of the park for a small fee. Second of all, wear good shoes or even better, hiking boots. Although the trails in the park do not have a ton of incline to them, they often involve steep sections of rocks or boulders that either have to be climbed or scaled down. There are also damp wet spots, muddy terrain and if you're coming from the West Parking lot, a river to be crossed. Drinking water is also recommended.
We hiked in from the West Side at Hay Brook. There were toilets at the parking lot and a big map/sign indicating the location. If you enter the park this way, you will have to cross a river. It wasn't deep when we crossed it but the rocks underwater were slippery so be careful. The river was probably 150 feet across. From here it's about 2 miles to the actual Gulf Hagas trailhead loop. Look for the old giant white pines along the way!
I read somewhere that you should take the left fork when you reach the Gulf Hagas welcome sign located on a giant boulder, this way you can hit all of the 'viewpoints' first when making the loop. This was really good advice because the Pleasant River Tote Road is a nice flat straight shot of a trail so it was much easier and way faster returning to the cars that way. On the other hand, the left trail (Rim Trail) is completely opposite, it follows the rim of the river gorge hence its name so it rises and falls quite frequently and at points you'll be forced to climb steep sections of rock.
The various viewpoints along the Rim Trail are amazing. You'll come across various waterfalls, steep sections of gorges, large basins in the rock wall and some pretty neat natural beauties. But beware of that fact that this trail is on the rim of a gorge which means the drop from the trail down to the river is sometimes hundreds of feet so make sure your dog (or kids!) don't go running ahead without being aware of that.
The overall loop is a pretty long hike, I think it took us 6.5 hours to do that entire thing, stopping once at buttermilk falls to swim & have lunch. However there are a couple intersecting trails along the way that can be used to scale down the length of your hike. These can also be used as 'fast-track' trails if you just want to see one viewpoint, just take the easier Tote Road and cut across a dissecting trail to make the loop a little less strenuous.
I definitely recommend Gulf Hagas as a day trip while visiting the Great north Woods area, although the fee to get into the park is a little steep (maybe $10/pp bc they charge what campers would pay for a night) but it's totally worth it If you have time check out the old iron works site at the west branch side!
Written September 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cynthia K
Westville, IN4,514 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
Struggled with the star rating. This trail is really above average (4 or 5 stars) for the young, fit person used to the strenuous trails in New England. For the middle aged, overweight flatlanders it was an asskicker. This trail broke me. Let me say that we are experienced day hikers. Just not used to the strenuous nature of this hike.
Before heading to the trailhead, you have to pay a day use fee. I don't know if anyone actually checks, but why take a chance?
We showed up early, 0800 to the West Branch of Pleasant Road parking area. We decided we wanted the full experience of crossing the stream. The stream is difficult in that when you're barefoot the rocks are really hard on your feet & slippery. There was a Maine Hiking Club member out at the stream passing out sticks to help out. I gratefully accepted one.
The trail is pretty easy until you get to the junction of Gulf Hagas & Pleasant River Tote Road. There are still some smaller streams to ford that don't have bridges.
We continued on to Gulf Hagas. It didn't immediately become a nightmare. It just adds up. The rocks. The roots. The climbing up the rocks. The overlooks where there's nothing to see. As careful as we were, I still fell once. My stick saved me from other falls.
At 1.9 miles we reached the first cut off. In retrospect, we should have taken it & continued down Pleasant Branch Road left to the better falls downstream. I was stubbornly refusing to let this trail break me. We continued on.
At 2.5 miles, we took a longer break & ate our sandwiches. Recharged, I was ready to continue on. Then there was an endless stretch where I couldn't make it up these rock faces without help from Scott. At least 4 times in 50 feet & I couldn't take it anymore. At 3 miles we reached the cut off & we took it back to the Pleasant Branch Road Trail. I felt terrible. The best falls on the trail & I couldn't make it.
When we got back to the stream I spoke to the Maine Hiking Club member, Moxie. She was very kind & told me a lot of people use the cut offs. I felt a little better after talking to her. She said she would recommend going back & using the farther trailhead where you don't have to cross the stream. See the better waterfalls & go back at the cutoff. If we weren't so exhausted, we would have done it.
So, if you're fit & an experienced hiker this trail will challenge you. If you're not beware & use the cut offs when you come up to them. Better yet, take the alternatives mentioned.
Before heading to the trailhead, you have to pay a day use fee. I don't know if anyone actually checks, but why take a chance?
We showed up early, 0800 to the West Branch of Pleasant Road parking area. We decided we wanted the full experience of crossing the stream. The stream is difficult in that when you're barefoot the rocks are really hard on your feet & slippery. There was a Maine Hiking Club member out at the stream passing out sticks to help out. I gratefully accepted one.
The trail is pretty easy until you get to the junction of Gulf Hagas & Pleasant River Tote Road. There are still some smaller streams to ford that don't have bridges.
We continued on to Gulf Hagas. It didn't immediately become a nightmare. It just adds up. The rocks. The roots. The climbing up the rocks. The overlooks where there's nothing to see. As careful as we were, I still fell once. My stick saved me from other falls.
At 1.9 miles we reached the first cut off. In retrospect, we should have taken it & continued down Pleasant Branch Road left to the better falls downstream. I was stubbornly refusing to let this trail break me. We continued on.
At 2.5 miles, we took a longer break & ate our sandwiches. Recharged, I was ready to continue on. Then there was an endless stretch where I couldn't make it up these rock faces without help from Scott. At least 4 times in 50 feet & I couldn't take it anymore. At 3 miles we reached the cut off & we took it back to the Pleasant Branch Road Trail. I felt terrible. The best falls on the trail & I couldn't make it.
When we got back to the stream I spoke to the Maine Hiking Club member, Moxie. She was very kind & told me a lot of people use the cut offs. I felt a little better after talking to her. She said she would recommend going back & using the farther trailhead where you don't have to cross the stream. See the better waterfalls & go back at the cutoff. If we weren't so exhausted, we would have done it.
So, if you're fit & an experienced hiker this trail will challenge you. If you're not beware & use the cut offs when you come up to them. Better yet, take the alternatives mentioned.
Written September 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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