Best fall foliage route in Midcoast Maine

Here is a fall foliage route you will love! The route starts out in Thomaston, winds through Warren and Hope, ends in Rockland.

Pick a day with clear blue skies and crisp air, hop in the car before you’ve had your second cup of coffee.

Schoolhouse Farm - Warren, Maine - Coastal Collage

Schoolhouse Farm – Warren, Maine – Coastal Collage

Start out in Thomaston, Maine at Highland Cafe. Grab a latte and head South on Route 1 toward Warren. Stop at School House Farm for some hot apple cider donuts and the best price on local winter squash.

Bounty at Schoolhouse Farm - Coastal Collage

Bounty at Schoolhouse Farm – Coastal Collage

From Schoolhouse farm continue South on Route 1. Take a right onto North Pond road. Meander past rolling hills and farms along North Pond. At the end take a left onto Western Road, stop at Beth’s Farm Market for some late season corn and hot cider.

Beth's, Warren, Maine - Coastal Collage

Beth’s, Warren, Maine – Coastal Collage

Strawberry corn, Beth's Farm Market - Coastal Collage

Strawberry corn, Beth’s Farm Market – Coastal Collage

Squash and pumpkin, Beth's, Warren - Coastal Collage

Squash and pumpkin, Beth’s, Warren – Coastal Collage

Continue down Western Road onto Route 235, driving along Seven Tree Pond.

Severn Tree Pond - Coastal Collage

Severn Tree Pond – Coastal Collage

Stop at the boat launch and picnic spot for a fall foliage photo op. At the fork in the road continue straight to Route 17 in Union. Take a left onto Route 17 heading west, then take a right onto Route 131 heading North. At the beginning of Sennebec Pond is a boat launch and another photo op.

Fall color day trip, Maine - Coastal Collage

Fall color day trip, Maine – Coastal Collage

Sennebec Pond - Coastal Collage

Sennebec Pond – Coastal Collage

Reflection, Sennebec Pond - Coastal Collage

Reflection, Sennebec Pond – Coastal Collage

After a leisurely drive past colorful vistas, take a right onto Route 105. At the junction of 105 and 235 in Hope you will find Hope Orchards. Our family always makes it a point to plan a fall apple picking outing here. Hope General Store is a great place to pick up a sandwich. Head on over to Hobbs Pond with your sandwich for more breathtaking views, just a minute or two down 235, left onto Barnstown Rd, right onto Pond Rd.

Blueberry fields in fall, Hope, Maine - Coastal Collage

Blueberry fields in fall, Hope, Maine – Coastal Collage

Continue down Route 235 until Alford Lake Rd, take a left, winding through multicolored blueberry fields.

Hope blueberry fields in fall - Coastal Collage

Hope blueberry fields in fall – Coastal Collage

Take a left at the end of 235 onto route 17 and head into Rockland. You will pass Grassy Pond, Mirror Lake, Rocky Pond and Chickawaukie Lake on the way. Rockland has some amazing dinner options right on Main Street. My latest favorite is L&H Burger. (They have a nice vegetarian option too!) And if you haven’t already done so, check out the Tollef Runquist show at Dowling Walsh gallery. More fabulous color!!

Don’t forget to send in your fall foliage pics!

 

 

 

Karen Olson

About Karen Olson

Karen Olson is a photographer, writer, and artist working in metal. Her blogs offer a global perspective, a celebration of art and culture. She 'lives like a tourist' in Midcoast Maine where she makes her home and finds inspiration for art and life in her travels. Follow her creative passion with Renuko Style at renukostyle.com and Coastal Collage, a Bangor Daily News Blog at coastalcollage.bangordailynews.com Karen's photography portfolio can be found at seeingartineverydaylife.com