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Walking and hiking from sea to mountains are great activities in Maine

Maine > State > Outdoor Activities > Walking and Hiking

Come to Maine's cities, towns, seacoast, and mountains for walking and hiking in beautiful settings for people of all ages and abilities.

Maine walking and hikingpaddling
Fort Williams Park and Portland Head Lighthouse
Fort Williams Park and Portland Head Lighthouse

Off Shore Road Cape Elizabeth, ME Phone: 207-433-5910

Seaside park includes beloved lighthouse; good for walks, picnics, ocean views

The park on the ocean just south of Portsmouth contains the famous Portland Head Lighthouse and Museum, along with many pleasant paths for walking and bicycling. See full description of Fort Williams State Park.
Parks -Bradbury Mountain State Park-credit-Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands
Bradbury Mountain State Park

528 Hallowell Road Pownal, ME, 04069 Phone: 207-688-4712

Great views from top of Mount Bradbury; lots for trails for walking, mountain biking, horseback

Lots of multi-use trails on the mountainside park allow walking, mountain biking, horseback riding. See full description of Bradbury Mountain State Park
wolfe neck woods state park
Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park

426 Wolfe's Neck Road Freeport, ME Phone: 207-865-4465

Good for picnicking, hiking and walking; an entry fee is charged.

Walk or hike along Casco Bay Trail. Follow scenic paths to views of nearby Eagle, Counsin, and other islands. The longer Harraseeket Trail offers one-and-a-half miles of bay views and is more difficult in comparison to the half-mile North Loop Trail, which is a less challenging walk with views of a nearby farm.
See trail map of Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park.
Portland Hillside
Fore Street, Old Port, and Congress Street Walk

Portland is so dense with elegant 19th-century urban architecture and waterfront views that any walk through the city is a scenic stroll. A couple of the standout areas are Fore Street along the waterfront, famous for its progressive food culture; the Old Port waterfront; and Congress Street, including the city's Museum of Art, City Hall, and other monumental buildings. These routes all pass waterfront and urban parks, with neat public sculpture and busy social scenes. See the attached map for points of interest.
quoddy Head Lighthouse
Quoddy Head State Park

973 South Lubec Road Lubec, ME, 04652 Phone: 207-733-0911

Magnificent views of New Brunswick; walks along cliffs; near historic lighthouse

Marvelous views and walks along the cliffs of this easternmost island in the United States. Park trail map. See full description of Quoddy Head State Park.
Parks Fort-Point-State-Park-credit-Maine-Bureau-of-Parks-and-Lands
Fort Point State Park

Fort Point State Park Cape Jellison Road Searsport, ME Phone: 207-941-4014

Park on a peninsula offers picnicking with waterfront views; bicycle path, boating & fishing; lighthousse

Nice walking trails with beautiful views of Penobscot River from this park on a peninsula. See full description of Fort Point State Park.
walking in acadia credit- Maine Office of tourism
Acadia National Park

Route 3 Bar Harbor, ME, 04609 Phone: 207-288-3338

Vast national park with outdoor activities year-round on Maine coast; carriage roads, hiking and rock climbing; gardens; tidepools; camping

Lots of trails and 19th-century carriage roads lace this magnificent park. You can walk to the top of Cadillac Mountain. See full description of Acadia National Park.
Penobscot river trails
Penobscot River Trails

East Branch of the Penobscot River at 2540 Grindstone Road Medway, ME Phone: 207-746-5807

The Penobscot River Trails is a 5,000-acre nature preserve owned and managed by a family charitable foundation. More than 15 miles of dirt and gravel trails are open to the public at no charge, year-round, for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. The property includes a small-boat launch for paddling on the East Branch of the Penobscot River. A visitor center with a wood-burning stove and restrooms and two huts provide places to rest and picnic. The entrance to the Penobscot River Trails is 12 miles north of the Medway exit and off Route 11 (Grindstone Road) in Soldiertown Township. Directions. Map.
Jesup Path and Hemlock Road Loop

Near Hulls Cover Visitor Center, 25 Visitor Center Road Bar Harbor, ME Phone: 207-288-3338

The Jesup and Hemlock loop is an easy walk through the Great Meadow featuring stands of birch and hemlock trees. Distance: 1.5 miles.
Getting There: From ME Route 3, turn off at the Hulls Cove Entrance to the park. Follow the Park Loop road 2.8 miles. Then turn left toward Sand Beach. Leave Park Loop Road at Sieur de Monts; take an immediate right; follow signs to the Nature Center. The walk begins to the right of the Nature Center.
Timber Point Trail of the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge

end of Granite Point Road Biddeford (Wells), ME, 04090 Phone: 207-646-9226

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, named for the pioneering environmentalist, was established to protect coastal habitats of birds and other wildlife. It includes 11 parcels of land along the Maine coast between Kittery and Cape Elizabeth, and it is headquartered in Wells. The refuge welcomes visitors for walking and hiking, fishing, hunting, kayaking and canoeing, and wildlife photography and observation. Information: www.fws.gov/northeast/rachelcarson/opportunities.html#trails
The trail passes a fresh water wetland and has beautiful salt marsh, river and ocean views. A wheelchair-accessible trail ends at an observation platform overlooking the mouth of the Little River. At the end of the trail, Timber Island is accessible by a land bridge at low tide, only. The trail is open from sunrise to sunset. No pets are allowed on the trail. Foot traffic only. Trail map.
Ocean Path (or Ocean Trail) in Acadia National Park

Park Loop Road Bar Harbor, ME Phone:

This is an easy trail along a handsome stretch of coastline between Sand Beach and Otter Point. The path travels along Park Loop Road. The trail passes several famous spots, including Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Monument Cove, and Otter Cliff. This is a flat gravel path and the elevation gain is a mere 100 feet. The distance is two miles one way from Sand Beach to Otter Point. Note that Park Loop Road is closed December to April
Access is at Sand Beach parking lot or Otter Point parking lot.
Bayside Trail

Trailheads at Elm Street and Casco Bay end of Marginal Way Portland, ME Phone:

This 1-mile trail is a flat, paved surface through the Bayside and East Bayside neighborhoods. It extends at the south end from Elm Street between Somerset Street and Marginal Way and parallels Marginal Way, linking with the East Promenade and the Back Cove Trails near the highway overpass where Route 1 crosses Back Cove. There are several benches and three water fountains. Trail is good for walkers, runners, and bicyclists.
Vaughn Woods State Park

28 Oldfields Road South Berwick, ME, 03908 Phone: 207-384-5160

This park encompasses 250 acres for forested land along the Salmon Falls River. The park has several hiking trails through stands of pine and hemlock. The trails make up a large loop of three miles in all. Shorter loops may be used. There are locations for picnicking.
Trail information.
Viles Arboretum

153 Hospital St. Augusta, ME, 04332 Phone: 207-621-0031

Viles Arboretum offers 150 acres of fields and 74 acres of forest for recreation  and nature viewing, particularly bird-watching. Six miles of trails off plenty of room for walking, jogging, biking, and even horseback riding. Tables and benches for rest and picnics are scattered throughout the property. In the winter, trails are groomed separately for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Also, there is a sledding hill.
Eastport Historic District

Eastportis across the bay from New Brunswick, Canada. Eastport attracts visitors who enjoy 18th- and 19-century architecture, including rstored sea captains' homes, history buffs, painters and photographer, whale watchers, and families. Local festivals celebrate spring, bird-watching, the Fourth of July, Passamaquoddy Tribal history and culture, pirate fun, salmon and a one-of-a-kind international New Year’s Eve. The walkable downtown includes 29 buildings on the National Historic Register.
Carson Trail of the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge

321 Port Road Wells, ME Phone: 207-646-9226

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, named for the pioneering environmentalist, was established to protect coastal habitats of birds and other wildlife. It includes 11 parcels of land along the Maine coast between Kittery and Cape Elizabeth, and it is headquartered in Wells. The refuge welcomes visitors for walking and hiking, fishing, hunting, kayaking and canoeing, and wildlife photography and observation. Information: http://1.usa.gov/102Wp2v
The Carson Trail starts at the Carson headquarters in Wells. It is a one-mile walk with views of one of southern Maine’s most valuable ecosystems. Leashed dogs are allowed on the Carson Trail. All refuge trails are open 7 days a week during daylight hours only. Leashed dogs are allowed on trails. Trail map
Bigelow Preserve

Route 27 Carrabassett Valley, ME, 04947 Phone: 207-778-8231

Set on 35,027 acres, this preserve is along Flagstaff Lake. There are many mountains within the preserve. Extensive trails for both hiking and cross-country skiing are for experienced hikers and skiers. There is also swimming, paddling, fishing, and hunting. Snowmobile trails traverse the park. Trail map.
Marginal Way

Perkins Cove to Ogunquit Beach Ogunquit, ME Phone: 207-641-2200

This one-and-a-half mile foot path runs along the shoreline, offering spectacular water views.  The south end is Jackie's To Restaurants on Perkins Cove Road and the north end is Beach Street and River Road at Ogunquit Beach. You can enter the path at Perkins Cove or the Marginal Way Lighthouse or at the Sparhawk.
Two municipal parking lots serve the Marginal Way. One lot is at Perkins Cove, at the south end of the Marginal Way. Obed's Lot is at the north end of the Marginal Way, and can be entered from Cottage Street. Marginal Way Trail Map.

Tumbledown Mountain

off Weld-to-Byron Road Weld, ME Phone:

The Tumbledown Mountain and Little Jackson Mountain trail network is composed of six trails and two trailheads for advanced hikers wishing to see some of the most unique features in Maine. Tumbledown Mountain includes three peaks, 700-foot cliffs and a pond near the summit. Little Jackson Mountain is higher elevation and offers different views, like Saddleback and Sugarloaf to the north and Mount Blue and Webb Lake to the East.
See website for description of trails: Brook Trail (1.9 miles, moderate); Parker Ridge Trail (2.9 miles, advanced); Loop Trail (1.5 miles, advanced); Tumbledown Ridge Trail (0.7 miles); Pond Link Trail (1.1 miles); Little Jackson Mountain Trail (3.6 miles, advanced). Trail guide.
Hills to Sea Trail

Trailheads: Oak Hill and Kaler roads in Belfast; Routes 9 and 139 in Unity Unity to Belfast, ME Phone:

This 47-mile footpath links Unity Village with City Point in Belfast. Across the street from the Belfast trailhead is the northeast terminus of the Belfast Rail Trail, which winds southeast for 2.3 miles to downtown Belfast. Temporary trail closures, mostly related to hunting, are in place during the fall. The last closure ends on December 31. Dogs are allowed on most of the trail but must be kept under control. The middle section of the Hills to Sea Trail uses an existing 28-mile footpath network in Montville. These network trails have names and in some cases are marked with different colored blazes.
Trail map.
Trail map East Side.
Trail map West Side.
Gilsland Farm Center of the Maine Audubon Society

20 Gilsland Farm Road Falmouth, ME, 04105 Phone: 207-781-2330

Nordic skiing and snowshoeing allowed on year-round walking trails; snowshoes, only, for rent.

This headquarters for Maine Audubon is just a few milesfrom Portland, located along the Presumpscot River estuary. It has an environmental center and a 65-acre sanctuary with two miles of trails winding through woods, meadows, and salt marsh. Trails are open for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Snowshoes available for rent. Trails open daily, dawn to dusk. Nature center open daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m.
Shackford Head State Park and Trails

Off Deep Cove Road Eastport, ME Phone: 207-941-4014

Shackford Head State Park is on Moose Island overlooking Cobscook Bay. This promontory encircles the west side of Broad Cove. Several miles of interconnected trails cross the headland. The trails range from easy to difficult. A hiking trail from the parking area leads through woods to a rocky headland 173 feet above sea level, passing several pocket beaches and protected coves.
The best shore access is at Cony Beach (by the parking area) or from the Broad Cove Trail. Opportunities to see birds and other wildlife are excellent, Shackford Head State Park is not routinely staffed; take extra precautions when you visit. Wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for uneven terrain.
Sebago to the Sea Trail (Pedestrian)

The 4.8 miles section from South Windham to Westbrook is now open for pedestrian use. The first 1.5 milesfrom South Windham is a flat, easy walking path on an undeveloped rail bed. The remaining 3.5 miles, to Bridge Street in Westbrook, is on railroad tracks. Members of the Sebago to the Sea Trail Coalition have been working to a continuous trail from Sebago Lake to Casco Bay. (Google map link shown here is approximate.) See map.
Presque Isle Bicycle and Pedestrian Walkway

North Main Street to Riverside Drive Presque Isle, ME Phone:

This four-and-a-half-mile biking and walking path follows the rail bed of the former Canadian Pacific Railway through Presque Isle. The path, which is paved, traverses the city and the grounds of the University of Maine, offering beautiful views of Presque Isle Stream. The trail travels aside the river for a short bit in Bicentennial Park on the north end before crossing to Chapman Street and continuing south. At the south end of the walk, enter the path at the convention center (Green Hill Road at US 1). At the north end of the walk, park off Riverside Drive right near the river behind the district court building.
Cobscook Bay State Park

40 South Edmunds Road Edmunds Tpk, ME, 04628 Phone: 207-726-4412

Camping, walking, exploration at this park on a dramatic tidal bay

Lots of hiking and walking trails are found at this interesting park on a tidal bay, with dramatic high and low tide changes. Trail map.
See full description of Cobscook Bay State Park.
Four Seasons Lodge and Trails

425 Spring Street Madawaska, ME Phone:

Four Seasons Lodge and Trails is the home base or people who love year-round outdoor recreation in the stunning heights of Maine. Guests can enjoy cross country skiing, mountain biking, snowshoeing and nature hikes. There’s a modern lodge, 8 km of Nordic ski trails, a Kid’s Terrain Park, a sliding hill with a ski-through tunnel. Snowshoe trails weave among the ski system. Ski and snowshoe rentals are available. All trails start from the lodge. Trail maps.
Baxter State Park

64 Balsam Drive Millinocket, ME, 04462 Phone: 207-723-5140

A large state wilderness that offers recreational activities in the water and on land; a popular camping and hiking spot

Hiking throughout 200,000 acres of preserved wilderness on the Trout Brook Farm, South Branch Pond, Katahdin Lake, Roaring Brook, and Abol Trails.
See full description of Baxter State Park.
Bates-Morse Mountain Conservation Area and Trails

Morse Mountain Road Phippsburg, ME Phone: 207-786-6202

This conservation area includes Morse Mountain and the upland edge of undeveloped and unspoiled Seawall Beach. The conservation area is managed by Bates College. The public is invited to walk during daylight hours. The hike is not difficult -- Morse Mountain which is only 177 feet above sea level. The walk is two miles each way on a partially paved road. There are hills to get to the peak, but then the rest is mostly downhill to the beach. You will travel through woodlands, salt marshes, up Morse Mountain to an overlook, and on to Seawall Beach. Take water and bug repellent. No services. No dogs, fires, or camping gear allowed.
Bar Island

North of the West Street town pier Bar Harbor, ME Phone:

bridge. From the island you see a sprawling view of Mount Desert Island and the town of Bar Harbor. Before going, check for the local times of low tide and allow yourself enough time to return. You will have no more than 1.5 hours before and after the low tide to use the land bridge. Take a hiking shoes or boots. The island is great for walking and for playing on rocks and in tide pools. Tide chart.
Orono Bog Boardwalk

Off Tripp Drive Bangor, ME Phone: 207-866-2578

The Orono Bog Boardwalk is a place to see the fascinating plants and animals of a Maine bog. The 1-mile boardwalk loop trail begins at the forested wetland edge in the Bangor City Forest and crosses into the Orono Bog. The boardwalk passes through a range of vegetation and environments on its way to the open, peat moss carpeted center of the Orono Bog. Boardwalk visitors can read colored signs with illustrations of common species of bog plants and animals, and explanations to go along with them. The boardwalk accommodates wheelchairs. Benches for rest and contemplation are provided at least every 200 feet. Bicyclists can park their bikes at the bike rack. Dogs are not allowed on the boardwalk.
Hours: the boardwalk is open to the public May 1 until Thanksgiving weekend or the first snowfall, whichever comes first. Admission is free.
Great Head Trail in Acadia National Park

Park Loop Road Bar Harbor, ME Phone:

The one-and –a-half-mile Great Head Trail is considered moderate difficulty. It loops around the perimeter of the Great Head peninsula just east of Sand Beach. Good for both adults and kids, Park in the lower Sand Beach parking area located on the left of the Park Loop Road. You also can get to the trail from Schooner Head Road outside of Bar Harbor. Granite steps lead down to the beautiful Sand Beach. This hike has views of The Beehive, Thunder Hole and the ocean.
Bangor City Forest

Via Kittredge Road or Tripp Drive, off Stillwater Avenue Bangor, ME Phone: 207-992-4514

Bangor City Forest is 680 acres of wildlife habitat and working forest. More than nine miles of trail are available for running, hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing. It is owned by the city of Bangor and it is open throughout the year.
Dogs on Main Road, Shannon Road, Tripp Drive, and East Trail must be on a leash at all times. Hunting is prohibited. Walden-Parke Preserve, owned by the Bangor Land Trust, encompasses more than 300 acres adjacent to City Forest, on the west side of the former Veazie Railroad bed. It features more than three miles of hiking, biking, skiing, and snowshoeing trails.
Ship Harbor Trail

Just east of the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse on Route 102A Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor, ME Phone: 207-288-3338

This loop trail is easy walking from the road to the ocean, through forested land. Enjoy classic views of the rocky shoreline. Bird watching is fruitful on this walk. Parking is easy and convenient. Total length is 1.3 mile.
Camden to Rockport Walk

To enjoy the gorgeous views of Maine Midcoast and Casco Bay near Camden, start at 2 Elm Street and walk along Bay View Street to Laite Beach, with views of the harbor and Curtis Island Lighthouse. Continue on Bay View to Seaview Cemetery and take a left onto Chestnut Street. Soon you will pass Aldermere Farm, a breeder of Belted Galloway cattle. Continue and take a left onto Calderwood Lane and watch look for stunning views of Casco Bay. Turn right onto Chapel Road, which passes Vesper Hill Chapel, with its lovely gardens.
Turn onto Continue down Chapel Road and turn right onto Beauchamp Road, which sticks close to shore of Rockport Harbor. From Beauchamp, you will connect to Mechanic Street. Follow this to the end. To return to Camden, take a right at the end of Mechanic Street and back into Camden Village. This 6-mile walk through the beautiful seaside village of Camden was adapted from www.camdenmaineexperience.com with our thanks.
Kennebec River Rail Trail

At a length of 6.5 miles, Kennebec River Rail Trail is open for walking, running, cycling, skateboarding, rollerblading, and dog walking. The trail runs alongside the rail bed along the Kennebec River, and extends from Waterfront Park in Augusta, and through the towns of Hallowell, Farmingdale, and Gardiner.
Access points to the trail are Greenville Street in Hallowell; and four sites in Farmingdale: Kennebec Bike and Ski at 357 Maine Avenue, Pine Hill Drive, Bowman Street, and Sheldon Street. Trail walkers and hikers may park in Augusta at MSHA parking lot on Water Street, the trail head under the Memorial Bridge, and at Capitol Park. In Hallowell, parking is at the municipal lot on Front Street. In Gardiner, park at Hannaford, 100 Maine Avenue.
Grafton Notch State Park

1941 Bear River Road Newry, ME, 04261 Phone: 207-824-2912

Back country hiking; birdwatching; snowmobiling

Back country hiking with fantastic views. Walks near waterfalls and gorges. The rugged terrain includes a dozen of the toughtest miles along the entire Appalachian Trail. Easier trails and loops also are available. See full description of Grfton Notch State Park
Dodge Point Public Reserved Land

River Road Newcastle, ME Phone:

Dodge Point, on the western shore of the Damariscotta River, has 8,000 feet of frontage on the Damariscotta River with small sand and pebble beaches, vistas from the river shore, and freshwater ponds. Four easy-to-moderate trails crisscross the property: Old Farm Road Trail (2 mile loop, easy; Ravine Trail (1.2 miles, moderate; Shore Trail (1.5 miles, easy; Timber Trail (0.8 miles, easy). Take the interpretive trail that starts at the Old Farm Road and make sure you explore the Shore Trail for the best views. Trail map.
Moxie Falls

Route 201 The Forks, ME Phone:

The first half of the Moxie Falls Trail is flat, through mixed woods as it travels towards the falls. Halfway down the trail, a welcome sign indicates the falls are not far. Within a quarter of a mile, the trail begins to get a little steeper, followed by stairs and boardwalks surrounding the falls. There are several observation platforms. This is not a loop trail, return by retracing the walk.
Directions: The township of Moxie Gore is 50 miles north of Skowhegan on US Route 201. Upon reaching the village of The Forks, look to turn right onto Moxie Pond Road (Lake Moxie RD on DeLorme's Maine Atlas & Gazetteer). There is a rest area between the Moxie Pond Road and the river. The trailhead is located approximately 2.3 miles further on this road on the left.
Portland Trails Urban Land Trust

305 Commercial Street Portland, ME Phone: 207-775-2411

This organization maintains a 50-mile network of trails in Greater Portland with 31 trails. Highlights:
Eastern Promenade Trail is on a former rail corridor and it has harbor and ocean views. Benches and picnic tables are along the trail and at East End Beach. Fore River Sanctuary enbraces the Jewell Falls waterfall and the location of the old Cumberland and Oxford Canal. Good for bird watching. Back Cove Trail offers great views of the Portland skyline. Ideal for walking, running, biking (road/mountain) and dog walking. Presumpscot River Preserve follows a deep ravine into the Preserve and it is steep in places. Boardwalks and bridges pass over wet areas and permit mountain bike access.
Pigeon Hill

Pigeon Hill Road Steuben, ME Phone:

The trail up Pigeon Hill climbs steadily through open woodlands and ascends a steep rocky section before it breaks open to reveal the summit and its glorious views. It is moderate difficulty. Descending by the less steep Summit Loop Trail and the Silver Mine Trail creates a figure eight loop, provides additional views and passes an old silver mining area. The Historic Trail offers the most direct route to the top, but you can combine the Summit Loop, Ledge Woods and Silver Mine trails for a slightly longer journey. Total length of the hike is about 1.6 miles.
Camden Hills State Park

280 Belfast Road Camden, ME, 04843 Phone: 207-236-3109

Park on the top of Mount Battie has beautiful views of the Bay; camping; hiking; bird watching

Nice trails allow plenty of opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and, in winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. See full description of Camden Hills State Park.
Jordan Pond Trail

Near Hulls Cover Visitor Center, 25 Visitor Center Road Bar Harbor, ME Phone: 207-288-3338

The trail follows the shore of Jordan Pond, offering views of mountains carved by glaciers and a sweeping valley, along with the pond itself. It is a 3-mile loop trail of moderate difficulty, and the trail is rugged in some places. Wear sturdy shoes or boots. Dogs are allowed on leash.
Getting There: From ME Route 3, turn off at the Hulls Cove entrance to Acadia National Park and the Hulls Cove Visitor Center. Follow the Park Loop Road. At 2.8 miles continue straight, following signs for Jordan Pond. Use the North Lot parking area on the right just before the Jordan Pond House. Walk down the boat access to the pond. The Jordan Pond Trail crosses the boat launch. The hike can be taken in either direction. During the summer months, parking is difficult to find. Leave your car at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center and take the Island Explorer Bus.
Saco Heath Preserve

off Route 112 / Buxton Road Saco, ME Phone:

You can find and explore a real peat heath much nearer to home than the novels of Victorian England. The Saco Heath Preserve formed when ponds filled with decaying plant material grew together to form a raised coalesced bog. The preserve offers a self-guided hike along a woodland trail to a boardwalk through the heath’s varied peatland communities. In the spring, the heathland plants bloom, spreading a carpet of lavender, pink and white across the heath. To get there: Take Exit 36 off I-95/Maine Turnpike. Take the first exit after the tollbooth and turn left onto Industrial Park Road. Turn right onto Route 112, Buxton Road. Follow Route 112 about two miles. The parking lot for the preserve will be on the right in a wooded area.

Saco Heath Preserve Brochure (PDF) -- Trail map (PDF)