Maine has plenty of ghost stories. With all these lighthouses and history, what ghost wouldn’t want to make their home in Vacationland? While many of the stories have been embellished over years of telling, there’s one that seems to find its way into modern conversation and still feel real, creepy and plausible. It’s the story of one particular road in Maine. And, while rural, the road still close enough to two towns that perhaps you’ve driven on it. If you’ve heard the stories, but never actually experienced Catherine’s Hill make sure you do it! And, for added fun, make sure the drive is timed with a foggy night.
There’s a section of road in Hancock County that you’ve probably only heard about.
leslieherger / Flickr
Route 182 runs through Township 10 (even the name evokes mystery) taking travelers between Franklin and Cherryfield.
kim_carpenter_nj / Flickr The area surrounding the road is known as Black’s Woods and Tunk Lake is just nearby.
But, as the sun goes down on the trailheads that dot the area, the green that feels so much like Maine will give way to an eerie twilight glow.
andree-debashish / Flickr
And that’s when the tales of Catherine’s Hill begin to make sense.
soese / Flickr
You see, the dim glow of houses will stop shining through and it will just be you on the dark forest road…and a young woman who’s in need of a lift.
ekilby / Flickr
The story of Catherine has been passed down for decades, maybe even centuries.
seebeew / Flickr
In each telling, a car rides silently down Route 182 until it comes upon a young woman looking for help.
nperlapro / Flickr You don’t know it yet, but she’s recently been in a car accident. All she tells you is that she needs to get to Bar Harbor.
First you might tell her you can’t, that Bar Harbor just isn’t on your way. But then, something inside tells you to help her.
deertown / Flickr And it’s a good thing. Because as the legend goes, turning Catherine away means bad fortune.
If you’re lucky you’ll escape with your life, merely facing a lifetime of bad luck. But if you’re not…you probably won’t make it off of Route 182.
lorenkerns / Flickr
Click here for directions to Cherryfield to take the drive on Route 182 yourself.
Google Maps
For more chills, read about these spooky tales that all take place in one well-known Maine college town.
leslieherger / Flickr
kim_carpenter_nj / Flickr
The area surrounding the road is known as Black’s Woods and Tunk Lake is just nearby.
andree-debashish / Flickr
soese / Flickr
ekilby / Flickr
seebeew / Flickr
nperlapro / Flickr
You don’t know it yet, but she’s recently been in a car accident. All she tells you is that she needs to get to Bar Harbor.
deertown / Flickr
And it’s a good thing. Because as the legend goes, turning Catherine away means bad fortune.
lorenkerns / Flickr
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