Katahdin Iron Works Road

The old Katahdin Iron Works Road starts near Brownville and winds 20 miles through dense forest to the remnants of Maine’s 19th-century iron industry. You’ll pass the crumbling stone furnace where they smelted bog iron from 1843 to 1890, then continue to the Appalachian Trail crossing at the famous 100-Mile Wilderness section. The real prize is Gulf Hagas — a three-mile slate gorge carved by the Pleasant River, with waterfalls dropping 50 feet into dark pools that locals call the “Grand Canyon of Maine.”

Easy to moderate difficulty — most high-clearance vehicles make it, though spring mud can be nasty. The final approach to Gulf Hagas requires parking and hiking, but the drive gets you deep into country most never see. Best from July through September when water levels are reasonable. No permits needed, but bring bug spray — the blackflies are legendary. This is classic Maine backcountry: industrial history, pristine wilderness, and some of the state’s most dramatic geology all rolled into one dirt road adventure.