Maine is known for its jagged, rocky coastline, low rolling mountains and heavily wooded interior, as well as its seafood, especially lobsters. Located in southwest Maine, the Bethel hostel is nestled in the state’s Appalachian Mountains and breathtaking forests and lakes. The hostel is adjacent to White Mountain National Forest, which offers more than 1,200 miles of hiking trails. The town is also known for llama trekking tours through the national forest. Bethel offers excellent hiking, cycling, and skiing, as well as canoeing along the Androscoggin River and various lakes. Bethel is also known for its spectacular New England fall foliage – the peak of foliage viewing usually falls in the first week of October. Fall in Bethel also brings the annual Harvest Fest and Chowdah Cook-Off, during which area chefs show off their chowder creations. Historic house and barn tours, as well as arts and crafts, and hiking, biking, and canoeing are other popular Harvest Fest events. Historic Bethel is the focus at the Bethel Society’s Regional History Center, where the heritage of northern New England and the White Mountain region is expertly explored and documented from the time of Bethel’s 1774 founding. Bethel is just a few miles from the popular ski resort Sunday River, which also features an award-winning golf course and 20-mile mountain bike park.