Get outside and explore the Maine wilderness for National Trails Day 2013 this weekend, June 1-2. Visit your local trails to enjoy wildlife (and pick up litter, while you’re at it), or if you’d prefer a more structured or social outing, here are a few of the outdoor activities and events scheduled for Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2, on trails throughout the state:

BDN photo by Aislinn Sarnacki
The Norumbega Mountain Trail travels through a stand of evergreens on April 26, 2013, in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island.

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK — Work project on Acadia’s trails or carriage road lef by Friends of Acadia field crew, 8:30 a.m.-noon, Saturday, June 1, starting at Park Headquarters on Route 233 near Eagle Lake in Bar Harbor. Plan to arrive before 8:30 a.m. Dress in comfortable layers, wear sturdy shoes, a hat, and don’t forget to bring insect repellent, sunscreen, water, and snacks. All tools and safety equipment will be provided. Registration is strongly encouraged for all events. Call Terry Begley at 288-3340, e-mail terry@friendsofacadia.org, or register at www.friendsofacadia.org.

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK — Work party to clear overgrown vegetation along the Alder Trail in Acadia National Park, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, June 1, starting at the Alder Trail sign post. Park at the Blueberry Hill parking lot, which is on the one-way road bearing left away from the Schoodic Education and Research Center and the Schoodic Point parking lot. This event may be re-scheduled in case of inclement weather. Dress in comfortable layers, wear sturdy shoes, a hat, and don’t forget to bring insect repellent, sunscreen, water, and snacks. All tools and safety equipment will be provided. Registration is strongly encouraged for all events. Call Terry Begley at 288-3340, e-mail terry@friendsofacadia.org, or register at www.friendsofacadia.org.

BANGOR and BREWER — Celebrate the outdoors and enjoy the beautiful parks along the Penobscot during the Bangor-Brewer Trails Day 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, June 2,  beginning at the Bangor Waterfront parking area at the end of Railroad Street. This free, inter-community event is organized by Bangor Trails and the Brewer Land Trust, and it will include the unveiling of the Continuity of Community sculpture in its new location on the Bangor Waterfront. Activities include greenhouse tours in Brewer, face painting, a bike rally, and local fresh fruit and vegetable samples, smoothies and delicious fresh food from Schooners. For information, click here, or call Caleb Grant, President of the Brewer Land Trust, at 735-7913.

HARPSWELL — The 4th annual Harpswell Hiking Challenge, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 1-2, on eight waterfront trails. The two-day event is sponsored by Harpswell Recreation Committee, Harpswell Heritage Land Trust, Healthy Maine Walks and Access Health. Experience eight wonderful coastal walks with the challenge of completing all 10-miles of trail in two days. These eight walks, all registered Healthy Maine Walks, range from the easy, wheelchair-accessible loop at Mitchell Field to the moderately difficult Cliff Trail loop. The hikes are self-guided. Free registration forms and directions are available online at www.harpswell.maine.gov or on the morning of the event at the Harpswell Town Office back parking lot at 263 Mountain Road. Pre-registration is not necessary. Those who travel between all the properties via bicycle will receive a special bike/hike challenge award. This is not a race, but if you complete all eight trail loops and 10 miles, you will be recognized as having completed the Harpswell Hiking Challenge. For information, email recreation@town.harpswell.me.us or call 833-5771.

HINCKLEY — Bird walk and family bug walk on the nature trails behind the L.C.Bates Museum on Saturday, June 1, starting at L.C. Bates Museum, 6 miles north of I-95 exit 133 on Route 201. The 4-mile bird walk will be 8-11:30 a.m. Bring binoculars if you have them. If it rains hard, the bird walk will be held in the museum’s Audubon gallery. and the bug walk will begin at 1 p.m. With nets and magnifiers in hand, participants will go out on the trails to explore the bugs that live in the forest, wetland and field habitats near the trails. Register by emailing lcbates@gwh.org or calling 238-4250. For information, visit http://gwh.org.

ROCKPORT — Pen Bay Walk of Life on Pen Bay Medical Center’s beautiful coastal trail, 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, June 1, starting at Pen Bay Medical Center off Glen Cove Drive off Route 1 in Rockport. The hike is 1 mile long, and Pen Bay Healthcare is collected photos to display along the trail of loved ones to celebrate, remember and honor. Register by emailing walkoflife@penbayhealthcare.org or calling 594-6709.

TRENTON — Join Friends of Acadia as they inaugurate the new Trenton Community Trail from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 1, behind the Acadia Gateway Center, 685 Route 3. A light breakfast will be served, followed by a guided hike of the trail. Dress in comfortable layers, wear sturdy shoes, a hat, and don’t forget to bring insect repellent, sunscreen and water. Registration is strongly encouraged for all events. Call Terry Begley at 288-3340, e-mail terry@friendsofacadia.org, or register at www.friendsofacadia.org.

For more activities and events planned for 2013 National Trails Day, visit www.americanhiking.org/events/#page-1.