Speckled Mountain & Blueberry Mountain Loop Hike | Maine White Mountains
Hiking the Speckled Mountain and Blueberry Mountain Loop from Brickett Place in the White Mountains of Maine
Speckled Mountain and Blueberry Mountain make a full day of hiking on the Maine side of the White Mountains, combining a gradual forest climb with open summit ledges, rocky ridge walking, and a second viewpoint before returning to the trailhead. Starting at historic Brickett Place in Evans Notch, we followed the Bickford Brook Trail to Speckled Mountain, then returned over Blueberry Ridge and Blueberry Mountain to complete the loop. Our hike, including the Blueberry Mountain lookout detour, was about 9.4 miles with roughly 2,600 feet of elevation gain.
We started under clouds, with cooler temperatures and the possibility of thunderstorms in the forecast. Over the course of the day, we went from drizzle and bugs to sunshine, summit breezes, and the usual debate about whether there was another uphill hiding in our downhill hike. The Bickford Brook approach was pleasantly steady, but Blueberry Ridge was the part that kept giving us reasons to stop: open rock, views back toward Speckled Mountain, and a trail that alternated between enclosed forest and exposed ledges.
Speckled Mountain Hike at a Glance
Trail Guides: Find this Hike on AllTrails / Best White Mountains Map
Trailhead: Brickett Place Day Use Area on Route 113 (Google Maps)
Route: Bickford Brook Trail to Speckled Mountain, returning via Blueberry Ridge Trail
Distance: About 9.4 miles
Elevation gain: About 2,600 feet
Difficulty: Moderately challenging, with strenuous sections and a steep, ledgy descent
Highlights: Speckled Mountain summit, Blueberry Ridge, Blueberry Mountain lookout, changing forest communities, and historic Brickett Place
Starting at Brickett Place
The hike begins at Brickett Place on Route 113 in the Evans Notch area. Although we often think of the White Mountains as a New Hampshire destination, this route is in Maine, within the White Mountain National Forest and the Caribou-Speckled Mountain Wilderness.
A White Mountain National Forest recreation pass is required at the day-use area. The section of Route 113 serving Brickett Place is seasonally closed in winter, so check current road access before planning a late-fall, winter, or early-spring visit.
From the trailhead, follow the Bickford Brook Trail into the woods. At the first junction with the Blueberry Ridge Trail, remain on Bickford Brook for the climb to Speckled Mountain. You will return to this junction near the end of the loop.
Climbing the Bickford Brook Trail
The Bickford Brook Trail follows an old road grade, which gives the ascent a steadier character than many White Mountains trails. There is plenty of uphill, but the climb is spread out rather than concentrated in a succession of steep rock scrambles. The trail’s history helps explain that character. The approach incorporates an old farm road and jeep road that provided access to the former fire tower on the summit.
About 0.7 miles after Brickett Place, you’ll come to the first trail junction with the Blueberry Ridge Trail and at 1.1 miles you’ll pass the junction with the Bickford Slides Trail.
The grade remains sustained, so do not mistake the relatively comfortable footing for a short approach. This is the longer, quieter buildup to the summit and ridge portions of the day.
Trail Junctions Below Speckled Mountain Summit
Higher on the approach, the Bickford Brook Trail meets the Spruce Hill Trail at about 3.1 miles. You’ll continue to on the Bickford Brook toward Speckled Mountain rather than turning onto Spruce Hill. We nearly made that mistake ourselves since Moe wasn’t wearing his glasses - a useful reminder to stop and read the sign instead of choosing a direction based on a quick glance. Reading glasses count as necessary navigation equipment when you need them.
Farther up at 3.8 miles, you reach the upper junction with the Blueberry Ridge Trail. Continue on the Bickford Brook Trail toward Speckled Mountain’s summit. This last section is shared by the ascent and return: after visiting the summit, you will backtrack to this junction and turn onto Blueberry Ridge to begin the other side of the loop.
Speckled Mountain Summit
Speckled Mountain’s open summit ledges provide the first big panorama of the day. After the long approach in relatively dense forests, the view opens across the surrounding ridges and the Evans Notch landscape, with distant peaks extending into New Hampshire and western Maine. The mountain once supported a fire tower; remnants of its foundations remain, but the tower itself is now gone.
On our visit, the weather kept shifting between chilly clouds and warm sunshine. A breeze at the summit helped keep the black flies and mosquitoes away, making it a welcome place to stop for snacks and enjoy the view before continuing.
Returning Along Blueberry Ridge
From the summit, you’ll go back down the Bickford Brook Trail to the upper Blueberry Ridge Trail junction. Turn onto the Blueberry Ridge Trail for the return toward Blueberry Mountain and Brickett Place. Expect a little more uphill at first, otherwise you might be surprised like Moe was.
Soon the trail starts descending the ridge and moves between thick forest and open rock. Look back when the terrain begins to open up - it’s the only area that provides a view of Speckled Mountain and a useful perspective on where you have just been.
The descent on the ridge isn’t challenging or rough. Cairns help identify the route across exposed sections.
As the name suggests, if you hit the ridge in late July and early August, you can enjoy ripening blueberries along the way!
Blueberry Mountain and the Lookout Loop
As the route approaches Blueberry Mountain, the trail includes some wetter ground. There’s a particularly muddy stretch before reaching the viewpoint area.
At the Stone House Trail junction, remain on the Blueberry Ridge route toward the Blueberry Mountain lookout. The Stone House and White Cairn trails connect with a different approach from the Stone House Road area, so this is a place to check your map carefully rather than simply following the most obvious downhill trail.
To reach Blueberry Mountain’s main viewpoint, you’ll follow the Lookout Loop to reach it. The view is well worth the few tenths of a mile that make up the loop and it was the perfect place for us to enjoy some snacks before returning to the Blueberry Ridge Trail for the final descent.
Descending to Bickford Brook
After completing the Lookout Loop, continue on the Blueberry Ridge Trail toward Brickett Place. At the White Cairn Trail junction, stay with Blueberry Ridge rather than descending toward Stone House Road, which is a totally different trailhead than where your car is.
The lower descent is much steeper than much of the ridge above it. Open rock and ledges require deliberate foot placement, especially when wet. This was one of the more demanding parts of our return: the slabs were damp, and we slowed down rather than rushing the final miles.
Below the steep section, the trail drops toward Bickford Brook. There is one last climb away from the creek before reconnecting with the Bickford Brook Trail. It is not a major ascent, but at the end of a long day, you will notice it.
At the junction, turn toward Brickett Place and follow the Bickford Brook Trail back to the parking area. This closes the loop on the same lower trail used at the beginning of the hike. We finished with about 9.3 miles recorded, close to the roughly 9.4-mile total in our route description.
How Difficult Is This Loop?
We would call this a moderately challenging hike with strenuous sections. The Bickford Brook Trail ascent offers relatively steady grades, but the full outing includes substantial mileage, rolling ridge terrain, muddy footing, and a steep descent over exposed rock. It is not a short summit hike simply because the mountains are lower than the nearby 4,000-footers. The main challenges are:
Sustained mileage: The summit is only one part of a roughly 9.4-mile outing.
Additional climbing: Blueberry Ridge has rises and dips rather than a continuous downhill grade.
Wet terrain: Muddy hollows and damp rock can slow progress.
Steep lower ledges: The final Blueberry Ridge descent demands attention on tired legs.
Navigation: Several connecting trails lead away from the Brickett Place trailhead.
For hikers comfortable with a full day on uneven mountain trails, the route offers plenty of variety without making the entire day a rock scramble.
Planning Notes for Speckled Mountain Hike
Choose Your Loop Direction Deliberately
Our direction put the steadier Bickford Brook climb first and the more scenic Blueberry Ridge section on the return. We liked that progression, but it also meant descending the steep lower ledges. Consider the footing and forecast when deciding which direction suits your group.
Prepare for Both Forest and Open Ledges
Our day included drizzle, biting insects, chilly clouds, warm sun, and summit wind. We also left our sunglasses in the car, which became an obvious mistake once the sun came out on the ridge. Pack for the exposed sections even if the hike begins under clouds.
Check Seasonal Access and Parking Requirements
Brickett Place is a fee site, and winter road closures affect access along Route 113. Confirm current conditions and recreation-pass requirements before driving to the trailhead.
Why We’d Hike This Loop Again
For us, this hike worked because the two halves felt different. The Bickford Brook Trail gave us a steady climb through changing forest, while the Blueberry Ridge Trail brought open rock, views back toward Speckled Mountain, and a second worthwhile stop at Blueberry Mountain.
This is a good route to consider when you want a full White Mountains hiking day on the Maine side of the range. Give yourself time for both summits, keep the map handy at the junctions, and save some energy for those last wet ledges and the climb away from the brook.
For More Information About the Speckled Mountain and Blueberry Mountain Hike
More Hikes near Speckled Mountain
Hiking and Backpacking Gear List
More of our White Mountains hikes on YouTube
Important Hiking Considerations:
Weather: Check the weather forecast before your hike and be prepared for changes in conditions.
Safety: Some sections of trail can be steep and rocky, others can be muddy, so use caution and always watch your footing.
Leave No Trace: As with any outdoor activity, remember to follow the principles of Leave No Trace. Pack out any trash, stay on the trail, and be respectful of the natural environment.
