The Western Trail
This segment takes you from Washington Junction to Cherryfield – 28 miles
There are many points of interest in each of the three segments of the Down East Sunrise Trail.
The Western Trail includes the following points: Washington Junction, Franklin Crossing, Tunk Lake/ME 183 and Unionville Crossing.
WASHINGTON JUNCTION
Location: 2 Railroad Siding Street
Parking: Large off-street lot
Trail Section Length: 9 miles, Washington Junction to Franklin
Points of Interest & Side Trips:
Restored rail cars by Down East Heritage Rail at Washington Junction.
Wildlife-watching opportunities on this section of the trail and most impressively near wetlands. Watch out for deer crossing the trail.
FRANKLIN CROSSING
Location: Intersection of DEST and ME 182 in the center of Franklin
Parking: large parking lot at Winter st
Trail Section Length: 7 miles, Franklin Crossing to Tunk Lake Rd.
Points of Interest & Side Trips:
Take North End Rd. from trail to Schoodic Beach Rd. for hiking on Schoodic and Black Mts. and camping and day use on Schoodic Beach.
The Blackwoods Scenic Byway/ME 182 provides access to Tunk Mt. hiking trails and Tunk Lake.
TUNK LAKE ROAD/ME 183
Location: Four miles north of US 1 on ME 183 where DEST intersects
Parking: Limited parking next to the trail.
Trail Section Length: 8 miles, Tunk Lake Rd. to Unionville
Points of Interest & Side Trips:
Trail passes through remote forestland and crosses a few logging roads before reaching Unionville.
Hike, swim and camp at Donnell Pond Public Lands. From trail take North End Rd. or ME 183.
The Schoodic National Scenic Byway (US 1).
UNIONVILLE CROSSING
Location: Unionville Rd.
Parking: Limited trailside parking.
Trail Section Length: 4 miles, Unionville to Cherryfield
Points of Interest & Side Trips:
Trail parallels and then crosses Tunk Stream as it leaves Unionville.
It intersects the eastern end of the Blackwoods Scenic Byway/ME 182, then crosses the Narraguagus River at Cable Pool in Cherryfield via an early 20th-century steel trestle bridge.
Cable Pool, now a town park, is a historically significant salmon pool. It makes a great picnic spot.
Eastern Trail Segment
Central Trail Segment
