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Scenic Drives Maine
Acadia/Bar Harbor / Down East region
Castine and Penobscot Bay Loop --- 79 miles
-- This beautiful drive skims the coastline and passes through a number of small fishing towns. Almost every town, particularly Castine, Brooklin, Blue Hill, and Ellsworth, is worth a stop to stroll the streets and enjoy local architecture, arts, and restaurants.
■ From the center of Ellsworth, take Route 1 south.
■ After 13 miles, you'll pass Toddy Pond, and after 3 1/2 miles you will cross the Orland River
■ One-half mile from the bridge, take a left onto Route 175, which will travel through Orland village and then southward along Penobscot Bay.
■ Route 175 will meet Route 166. Continue straight onto Route 166.
■ Approximately 2 miles later, turn right onto Route 166A, and then right again back onto Route 166.
■ Two miles after returning to Route 166, you will reach Castine, home of the Maine Maritime Academy.
■ After leaving Castine on Route 166, turn right on Route 199 toward Penobscot.
■ After three and a half miles, Route 199 will meet Route 175. Continue straight onto Route 175 south, and through Penobscot Village and Brooksville; cross the reversing falls on the Bagaduce River.
■ One mile later, turn right onto Route 176. This road will continue on through the fishing villages of Smith Cove, Orcutt Harbor, and Buck's Harbor.
■ Continue on Route 176 to the junction with Route 175. Go straight at the intersection, meeting Route 15 less than one mile later.
■ Turn left onto Route 15 and continue on into Blue Hill. Along this route, Route 172 joins Route 15 before entering the town of Blue Hill.
■ Stay on Route 172, continuing past Patten Bay and back into Ellsworth.
Nearby Points of Interest:
♦ Castine – Maine Maritime Academy and home of the Training Ship State of Maine, Pleasant Street, 800-227-8465
♦ Castine – Dice (Dyce) Head Light, mouth of the Penobscot River, 207-326-4502
♦ Blue Hill
♦ Deer Isle guided island tours (through mid-October), 207-348-6789
♦ Ellsworth – Woodlawn Museum, Route 172, 207-667-8671
Acadia National Park Loop Road --- 27 miles
-- People have been drawn to the rugged beauty of coastal Maine throughout history. The park is home to many plants and animals, and the tallest mountain on the Atlantic coast. Today visitors come to Acadia to hike granite peaks, bicycle along historic carriage roads, or relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery.
■ From Boston take I-95 north to Augusta, Maine
■ Turn onto Route 3 east to Ellsworth and on to Mount Desert Island. (For an alternate route, continue on I-95 north to Bangor, Maine, then take Route 1A east to Ellsworth.)
■ In Ellsworth, take Route 3 to Mount Desert Island
■ The scenic 27-mile Park Loop Road system begins at Hulls Cove Visitor Center and offers access to Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, Jordan Pond, and Cadillac Mountain, which, at an elevation of 1,530 feet, in the highest point on the Eastern seaboard. A portion of the park known as Ocean Drive extends from Sand Beach to Otter Point and includes spectacularly beautiful views of rocky shoreline. The park service recommends allowing three to four hours to drive the Loop Road
■ Also, the loop road located on the Schoodic Peninsula section of the park, north of Bar Harbor, offers views of the rugged coast on the only part of the park on the mainland.
Nearby Points of Interest:
♦ Mount Desert Island – Acadia National Park, Route 3, 207-288-3338
♦ Bar Harbor -- Acadia National Park Tours, 53 Main Street, 207-288-0300
♦ Bar Harbor -- Oceanarium & Lobster Hatchery, Route 3, 207-288-5005
♦ Bar Harbor -- Diver Ed's Dive-In Theater (open through Columbus Day), 105 Eden Street, 207-288-3483
Acadia Byway
-- 40 miles. Time: 3 hours
-- Craggy shorelines and granite-capped mountains, crystal lakes and spruce forests, make Acadia Byway perfect for exploring. Extensive carriage roads and hiking trails give access to Acadia National Park. See fishing and sailboats in Frenchman's Bay or go back in time to see the cottages of old Bar Harbor. Famous for its parks, trails, and mountains, the byway is a playground for lovers of the outdoors. Travelers can see diverse wildlife such as puffins, moose, and fascinating marine life, and watch lobster boats in the ocean. Be sure to visit Bar Harbor and other quaint coastal towns.
■ Begin at Trenton at the Thompson Island Bridge.
■ Take Route 3 heading south and stay east at the fork in the road.
■ Follow Route 3 (Bar Harbor Road) as it heads east and eventually turns north to Acadia National Park. Route 3 becomes Eden Street at the Park.
■ Continue to Bar Harbor.
■ Take West Street east and turn right onto Main Street and follow that out of town.
■ Take a left (east) onto Park Loop Road and follow the coastline down to Otter Cove, skirting the coast before heading north through the middle of the National Park.
■ Head right just before Eagle Lake Road to rejoin Route 3 again or head north to Eagle Lake Road to return to Bar Harbor to complete the loop.
Nearby Points of Interest:
♦ Bar Harbor -- Acadia National Park Carriage Roads consist of 45 miles of rustic carriage roads weave through the valleys and mountains of Acadia National Park. Location: Acadia National Park.
♦ Bar Harbor -- Bar Harbor is the largest village along Acadia Byway and plays host to many fine dining and lodging facilities.
♦ Northeast Harbor -- Great and Little Cranberry Islands. Both of these islands and their hiking and bicycle trails can be reached from the passenger ferry from Northeast Harbor.
♦ Seal Harbor -- Relish this secluded harbor with a 19th-century rural village, shoreline, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
♦ Thunder Hole -- A chasm into which ocean waves crash with great booms and splashes. Location: On the southwest corner of the Park Loop Road, about four miles south of Bar Harbor.
Aroostook Region
The Northern Tour --- 214 miles
-- This scenic trip features long stretches of unpopulated territory between towns. The route begins north of Bangor and ventures into the region known for Maine potatoes.
■ Travel from Bangor north on I-95 to Exit 54 in Howland
■ Take Maine Route 6 east, through West Enfield, Lincoln, and into Lee
■ In Lee, pick up Route 168 north and travel to Winn
■ In Winn, take U.S. Route 2 northeast to Macwahoc, where you will take U.S. Route 2A into Haynesville
■ In Haynesville, travel southeast on the secondary road to Danforth, where you will intersect U.S. Route 1
■ Take Route 1 north into Houlton, picking up U.S. Route 2 west
■ Route 2 will lead into Smyrna Mills, where it intersects with Route 212
■ Take 212 west to Knowles Corner, picking up Route 11 south
■ Route 11 will travel through Patten to Sherman
■ In Sherman, pick up I-95 South to Medway (exit 56). From the exit, take Route 157 west to Route 116
■ Take Route 116 south through Chester and then back to Howland
Nearby Points of Interest:
♦ Bangor – Hollywood Slots at Bangor, 500 Main Street, 877-779-7771
♦ Houlton, Duty Free Americas, 4 Airport Road and 1-95, 207-532-6540
Augusta / Kennebec Region
Belgrade Drive --- 126 miles
-- Beginning in Augusta, Maine's capital, this trip winds through the Winthrop Lakes region and the Belgrade Lakes region of the state.
■ From Augusta, take U.S. Route 201 south into Richmond Corner, where you will pick up Route 197 west
■ Take Route 197 into Litchfield Corner, and then follow Hallowell Road north toward Litchfield and Route 126. Head west on Route 126
■ Near Sabattus it will intersect with Route 132. Take Route 132 north into North Monmouth, and then pick up Route 135 east
■ Stay on Route 135 until it runs into U.S. Route 202. Take U.S. Route 202 into Winthrop, then north on Route 41
■ When Route 41 meets Route 133, take Route 133 north, which will travel through Wayne and toward Livermore Falls
■ Go east on Route 17 to Kents Hill, and once there pick up Route 41 north into Mount Vernon. On Belgrade Road you will then go east, bearing left at the fire station
■ Continue straight on the road until it reaches Route 27. Make a left on Route 27 and follow it to Rome Corner
■ In Rome Corner, pick up Route 225 east, to Route 8
■ Take Route 8 south to Route 27, then continue on Route 27 south back to Augusta
Nearby Points of Interest:
♦ Winthrop Lakes
♦ Augusta – Old Fort Western, 207-626-2385
Katahdin Moosehead Region
Moosehead Trip Loop --- 210 miles
-- This trip takes travelers north from Skowhegan up toward Jackman, and down past Moosehead Lake. On the way, you will pass Moosehead Lake, Moxie Falls and Mount Kineo. Particularly scenic segments of the trip are Route 201 between Solon and West Forks, and Route 6 and 15 between Jackman and Rockwood.
■ Beginning in Skowhegan, take U.S. Route 201 north through Bingham and up to near Jackman, where you will intersect Route 15.
■ Proceed on Route 15 south and east through Greenville and then on to Dover-Foxcroft
■ There you will pick up Route 7 south to Newport
■ In Newport, take Route 2 west into Palmyra, where you will then take Route 151 west to Athens
■ In Athens, take Route 150 south, which will return to Skowhegan
Nearby Points of Interest:
♦ Moosehead Lake area -- 888-876-2778
♦ Moxie Gore Township – Moxie Falls, Lake Moxie Road off Route 201
♦ Jackman – Moose watching
Mid Coast Region
Coastal Route --- 141 miles
-- This trip passes along scenic shoreline, through quaint fishing villages, and to the top of Mount Battie and through the postcard-perfect village of Rockport and Camden.
■ Begin in Wiscasset, and take U.S. Route 1 east into Newcastle
■ In Newcastle, pick up Route 130 south, which will travel through New Harbor and on to Pemaquid Point. After stopping at Pemaquid Point and its famous lighthouse, travel back on 130 into New Harbor and onto Route 32 north
■ Take Route 32 north into Waldoboro, and make a right on Main Street. When you reach Route 220, head south into Friendship, and in Friendship take Route 97 north and east through Cushing and into Thomaston
■ In Thomaston, take U.S. Route 1 north which will wind its way through Rockland and into Camden
■ Once in Camden, take the drive up to the top of Mount Battie and enjoy the panoramic view of Penobscot Bay. Head back to U.S. Route 1 and continue on to Lincolnville
■ In Lincolnville, take Route 173 west into Lincolnville Center, where you will pick up Route 235 South
■ Continue on 235 into Hope, and then take Route 105 north to Route 131, which merges with 105
■ Continue south on 105 and 131, and drive through Appleton, then pick up Route 17
■ Take Route 17 west to Stickney Corner, then Route 220 south to Route 126
■ Take 126 southwest into Jefferson, where you will pick up Route 213 southwest, and then Route 215
■ Take Route 215 northwest to Route 194, and Route 194 northwest into Head Tide
■ Once in Head Tide, bear left to cross the river on a local road
■ On the other side, get on Route 218 south, which will take you back to Wiscasset
Nearby Points of Interest:
♦ New Harbor -- Pemaquid Point and Lighthouse, 207-677-3266
♦ Camden -- Camden Hills State Park, 280 Belfast Road, 207-236-0849
♦ Rockport -- State of Maine Cheese Company/Maine Made Products Center, 461 Commercial Street / Route 1, 800-762-8895
Western Lakes/Mountains
Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway – 35 miles
-- Travelers will wind through the mountains and lakes of western Maine. Step back in time and treat yourself to spectacular scenery, outstanding recreational opportunities, abundant wildlife, local museums, and quaint New England villages. Slow down, relax, and enjoy nature's abundance at every turn. This drive follows Routes 17 and 4, wrapping around Rangeley Lake. It follows the ridgeline of the Appalachian Mountains before dropping into rolling hills and valleys. The Height of Land on Route 17 is the centerpiece of this scenic drive, offering breathtaking views of Mooselookmeguntic and Upper Richardson Lakes. Allow 2.5 hours to drive and eight or more hours to visit this byway.
■ Start on the byway just north of Houghton on State Route 17 and travel north to Oquossoc.
■ Take State Route 4 east past Rangeley Lake to the town of Rangeley.
■ Continue generally southeast on State Route 4 to Smalls Falls, where the byway ends. This is a few miles short of Madrid.
Nearby Points of Interest:
♦ Height Of Land – At Height of Land, you can see for hundreds of miles of lakes, mountains and forests. You can also see the White Mountain chain in neighboring New Hampshire. Height of Land is often considered to be the most spectacular overlook in northern New England.
♦ Oquossoc – Mooselookmeguntic Lake – The town of Oquossoc is surrounded by Mooselookmeguntic Lake. You can get to the lake from the city and rent boating and fishing supplies there.
♦ Rangelely Village – Rangeley Lakes Region Logging Museum -- The Rangeley Lakes Region Logging Museum displays equipment, artifacts, photos, and historic tape recordings of people in the logging profession. Location: Leaving Oquossoc, take Route 16 east for approximately 10 miles to the Rangeley Lakes Region Logging Museum. Phone: 207-864-3939.
Ski Mountain Route --- 132 miles
-- Begin your drive in Farmington, the entryway to Maine's ski country. This route will take you past some of the major ski resort areas, whose mountains should be aflame in fall colors.
■ From Farmington, take U.S. Route 2 into Wilton, where you will pick up Route 156
■ Take Route 156 northwest into Weld, then head north on Route 142
■ When 142 meets Route 4, take Route 4 northwest into Rangeley, where you will pick up Route 16 east
■ Stay on Route 16 through Kingfield and then into North Anson
■ In North Anson, take U.S. Route 201A south into Norridgewock, where you'll pick up U.S. Route 2 back to Farmington
Nearby Points of Interest:
♦ Weld – Mount Blue State Park, off Route 156, 207- 585-2261
♦ Rangeley -- Rangeley Lake State Park, South Shore Road off Route 17, 207-624-6080
♦ Farmington -- Kennebec-Chaudiere Heritage Trail, Route 201, Along the Kennebec River, 207-778-3885
Southern Circle --- 85 miles
-- This trip will take visitors through the Southern corner of Maine, known for its historic sites and apple orchards.
■ Begin in Sanford, and take U.S. Route 202 east through Alfred, then into Hollis Center
■ In Hollis Center, pick up Route 35 north and continue on that road into Standish
■ In Standish take Route 25 West, which goes through Kezar Falls, and into Porter
■ Route 25 will intersect Route 160 in Porter. Take Route 160 south to, then pick up Route 11 south back to Sanford
Nearby Points of Interest:
♦ Limington -- Doles Orchard, 187 Doles Ridge Road, 207-793-4409
Western Loop --- 130 miles
■ This tour begins in Fryeburg, near the New Hampshire border, on U.S. Route 302.
■ Take 302 east through Bridgton and into Naples
■ In Naples pick up Route 35 north to Harrison, where it intersects with Route 117. Take Route 117 north
■ Near Norway, pick up Route 118 west. Approximately one mile after taking the highway, go north on a local road, which follows the western bank of Lake Pennesseewassee, and then heads into Greenwood
■ In Greenwood, take Route 219 east to Route 26, then north on Route 26 into Bethel
■ In Bethel, pick up U.S. Route 2 west, which will take you into Gilead
■ In Gilead take Route 113 south into Stow, then go east on a local road that travels the west shore of Lake Kezar into North Lovell
■ In North Lovell, follow Route 5 south back into Fryeburg
Nearby Points of Interest:
♦ Fryeburg public parks
♦ Fryeburg Main Street Historic District, Main Street from Portland Street to about Swans Falls Road
♦ Bethel -- Sunday River Alpacas, 471 Flat Road, 207-890-3148
♦ Bethel – Scottish & Irish Merchant , 91 Main Street, 877-607-7787
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Foliage Drives in Maine
