MOUNT KINEO

In the middle of the lake, in the heart of a peninsula covered with a forest of maple, birch and fir trees, stands Mount Kineo. Shaped by a glacier thousands of years ago, its south face is an impressive 545-metre high flint cliff, while the north face reveals a gentle slope that is easy to undertake. The mountain is the heart of Mount Kineo State Park. "Discovered" by naturalist Henry David Thoreau, Mount Kineo quickly became a destination of choice for the wealthy class. The tavern installed at the foot of the mountain in 1844, quickly became an inn, to become a 300-room palace at the beginning of the 20th century. The young Theodore Roosevelt is said to have come here in 1870, while Princess Radziwill threw herself off the cliff in 1916 after being turned away by her lover.

Mount Kineo is accessible only by boat. The Mount Kineo Shuttle crosses Moosehead Lake in season from May to October. Boats depart from the town of Rockwood, just west of the park. The crossing takes about 10 minutes. On a beautiful day, a hike to the top of Mount Kineo will reward you with a dazzling view of the lake and forest as far as the eye can see from this corner of Maine. The hiking trail starts at the landing stage. After 1 km along the shoreline, the trail splits in two. You can either take the Bridle Trail, which goes left or the Indian Trail, which goes right. The Bridle Trail is easier. It takes about 2.5 hours to hike it.