Off the beaten path at the Cutler Coast Public Reserve

We headed "Downeast" one August weekend, a time of year when there aren't any reservations left for Acadia campsites. Our destination? The Cutler Coast Public Reserve, a 12,000-acre seaside recipe for scenery and solitude.

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The rocky shoreline at Cutler Coast is as rugged as it is beautiful.

Various creatures make the seaside trail even more magical.

Blueberries, brush, and lush vegetation are a common sight along the way.

Cutler Coast is just about as far northeast as you can go without being in another time zone. It has roughly 11 miles of trails that lead to seaside backcountry campsites, and includes an entire new world of discovery, for us at least. We've hiked seaside trails, secluded trails, and even rocky trails, but this was our first seaside, secluded, rocky trail.

First, let me congratulate the trail builders of this relatively new hiking preserve. The woodwork and rock placement that went into the construction had to take about an hour short of forever. The trail seemed to be designed to show off the best terrain and most breathtaking views, and they accomplished nothing short of that. There are two trails running north/south-- the coastal trail, and the inland trail. These trails intersect at each end, allowing you to do one huge loop. Or, you can do like we did, and use the cutoff trail in the middle for a figure 8. This extends your hike some, but gives you the best of both worlds each way-- half rocky cliff-bound shore line, and half inland forest and barren plains.

Reaching the coast after the first mile is like having your eyes opened to a whole world you never new existed. Waves crash up on towering granite formations and cliffs. Emerald green tides rolling in and out. Sea lions and dolphins commuting to and from wherever it is they're going. Don't worry if you forgot your binoculars, this trail is like having a front row seat to a coastal nature special on the Discovery Channel.

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