Great Head
Length: 1.2 mile loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Beginning at Sand Beach, this hike around Great Head offers great views over a short distance. The trail moves over uneven terrain with occasional rock scrambles, but overall is not excessively challenging. Leaving from the beach the trail cuts up a set of manmade stairs. Keep right and follow the trail to a series of granite cliffs. Sand Beach, Gorham Mountain and the Beehive are visible from this vantage point. The trail continues to ascend and forks right, then follows the cliff- lined coast of Great Head.
The trail gains and loses slight elevation until beginning a more steady climb toward the top of Great Head. Once at the Summit, hikers can explore rubble from a demolished tea house that sits on the crest of Great Head. Views of Schoodic Point are seen to the East. To return to Sand Beach follow the trail beyond the summit and continue through a thick stand of birch trees. The trail forks approximately .2 mile from the summit. Turn left at the fork. The trail climbs back up a short distance and then reconnects with the trail leading back to Sand beach. This is a great short hike for families with kids (although there are some steep sections and rock scrambles) who are looking to explore the Sand Beach area.
