We’re in that wonderful time of year when we’ve left winter behind, but it’s not quite the hottest days of a Maine summer yet. We’ve got sunshine, cool evening breezes and a few months to go before we have to worry about ice again. So, let’s enjoy it! Let’s spend it outside and let’s appreciate the activities at our finger tips. Or, in this case, our toe tips. Here are a few trails in Maine that we think you should hit if you love being outside. Whether you’re a slow stroller or 4,000-foot go-getter, there’s a trail here for you.
- Pleasant Mountain, Bridgton/Denmark
jon collier / Flickr With over ten miles of trails included in this system, there are lots of different options for hikers looking for a hearty hike. While most trails aren’t terribly long, they’ll require some hiking experience. The good news is that making it to the summit, which is the highest in southern Maine, will provide wonderful views of the White Mountains.
Distance/Duration: Anywhere from approximately 2 to 3 miles depending on the trails, anywhere from 1-3 hours.
- Ocean Path, Acadia National Park
JR P / Flickr If you think Acadia National Park is only for the serious hiker, think again. It’s absolutely possible to explore the classic Maine forest and coastline using your own two feet - even if you are not a seasoned hiker. Hiking Ocean Path will give you views of what many believe to be “classic Maine” - from coast to forest. There are many stopping points which make it a relaxing hike for those who don’t want to have to constantly scramble uphill over rock. The trail will take you past Thunder Hole and will end at Otter Point with views of Cadillac and Dorr Mountains. Click here for more information on what the trail entails.
Distance/Duration: 4 miles one way, about 8 round trip, anywhere from 3-5 hours depending on how many times you stop and enjoy the journey.
- Angel Falls Trail, Near Byron
The B’s / Flickr
The B’s / Flickr This easy hike ends in a lovely view of Angel Falls. The 90’ plunging waterfall comes from the Mountain Brook and takes about 30 minutes to reach on the (almost) mile-long trail.
Distance/Duration: About 1 mile, Approximately 30 minutes depending on the trail condition.
- West Gate Trails of Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge, Caribou/Limestone
usfwsnortheast / Flickr This trail network provides access to flat land meandering through fields and around Chapman Pond and Greenlaw Brook. There are lots of opportunities to see wildlife in this area and, in the winter, visitors can snowshoe and ski as well.
Distance/Duration: Approximately 5 miles for the entire network, From 1-3 hours depending on the route.
- Tumbledown & Little Jackson Mountains, Weld
Noah Meyerhans / Flickr Tumbledown Mountain is located in the western region of Maine, North of Weld. It is often associated with Little Jackson Mountain, with which it shares its trail network.
It’s not the tallest mountain in Maine, but exploring the area will provide some incredible views, beautiful plants and even a near-summit pond. The area is best for moderate to advanced hikers, but as with any hike, caution should be exercised to hike safely.
Distance/Duration: The entire networks is 10 miles, anywhere from 2 hours to all day depending on the route you take.
- The Tramway Trail, Eagle Lake Township
John Lutz / Flickr The hike will allow you to explore Maine’s North Woods, in addition to the state’s lumbering history. Access to this short trail comes by traveling to the trailhead at either Chamberlain Lake (South) or Eagle Lake (North). Once you’ve found the trail, you’ll wander through mixed trees (some are about 200 years old!) and pass various remnants of the antique tramway, including the power plant and trails once used to haul lumber.
Distance/Duration: Approximately 1 mile round trip, 1 hour.
- Moxie Falls, Moxie Gore
Doug Kerr / Flickr If sweeping views aren’t enough incentive for you to hit the outdoors, check out this trail leading to Moxie Falls. Moxie is one of Maine’s highest waterfalls and has a vertical drop of almost 90 feet. The hike isn’t hard, but might be slippery in places.
Distance/Duration: 2 miles round trip, 2-3 hours.
- Lily Bay State Park Trails, Beaver Cove
Dennis Redfield / Flickr This lovely state park was created in part using land donated by the Scott Paper Company. While the area is mainly used by campers and visitors to Moosehead Lake, the trails offer a nice getaway into the surrounding land. There are 2 main hiking trails here. Both the Dunn Point Trail and the Rowell Cove Trail are fairly easy, family friendly and will take you along the shore of the lake.
Distance/Duration: Approximately 2 miles for both trails, anywhere from 1-3 hours.
- Alewive Woods Preserve, Kennebunk
Stephen Ingraham / Facebook This forested preserve is comprised of approximately 625 acres and includes Alewife Pond. This trail will take you in a loop to the pond and back. In the spring you’ll be surrounded by wildflowers and in the summer you’ll want to bring a container for blueberry picking.
Distance/Duration: Approximately 2.5 miles including the full network of paths, anywhere from 1-3 hours
- South Bubble Mountain and Jordan Pond: Mt. Desert, Acadia National Park
Yi-Chien Chang / Flickr The South Bubble hike of the Bubble Mountains is one of the more accessible endeavors in Acadia National Park. Once you’ve reached the top you’ll see the famous perched rock, left by glacial activity centuries ago.
Distance/Duration: 2 miles, 1-3 hours.
- Jewell Island Trails, Jewell Island, Casco Bay
Corey Templeton / Flickr To hike the Jewell Island trails, you’re going to have to work for it. The island is only accessible by boat and there are no scheduled ferry services. So, find yourself a craft or a seafaring friend and get ready to experience one of the loveliest outer islands off the coast of Portland. There are so many accessible paths here, we can’t list them all but trust us when we tell you that the 221 acres of island habitat will not disappoint. Those looking for more adventure can pack camping gear and make a weekend of it in the campgrounds on the island. History buffs will enjoy the relics left from WW1 and WW2.
Distance/Duration: 3 miles of trails on the network, anywhere from 3-4 hours, not including launching your boat from the mainland and making your way over.
- Mount Megunticook, Camden
Viola Ogak / Facebook Mount Megunticook is the highest of the Camden Hills peaks. Take the trail to Ocean Lookout instead of the actual summit if you want a killer view. The climb is a bit steep in places and the elevation gain is about 1,000 ft.
Distance/Duration: .5 miles, 1-2 hours depending on how you handle the steep pitches, and scrambling through rock.
Have you tackled any of these? What are your favorite Maine trails?
jon collier / Flickr
With over ten miles of trails included in this system, there are lots of different options for hikers looking for a hearty hike. While most trails aren’t terribly long, they’ll require some hiking experience. The good news is that making it to the summit, which is the highest in southern Maine, will provide wonderful views of the White Mountains.
Distance/Duration: Anywhere from approximately 2 to 3 miles depending on the trails, anywhere from 1-3 hours.
JR P / Flickr
If you think Acadia National Park is only for the serious hiker, think again. It’s absolutely possible to explore the classic Maine forest and coastline using your own two feet - even if you are not a seasoned hiker. Hiking Ocean Path will give you views of what many believe to be “classic Maine” - from coast to forest. There are many stopping points which make it a relaxing hike for those who don’t want to have to constantly scramble uphill over rock. The trail will take you past Thunder Hole and will end at Otter Point with views of Cadillac and Dorr Mountains. Click here for more information on what the trail entails.
Distance/Duration: 4 miles one way, about 8 round trip, anywhere from 3-5 hours depending on how many times you stop and enjoy the journey.
The B’s / Flickr
This easy hike ends in a lovely view of Angel Falls. The 90’ plunging waterfall comes from the Mountain Brook and takes about 30 minutes to reach on the (almost) mile-long trail.
Distance/Duration: About 1 mile, Approximately 30 minutes depending on the trail condition.
usfwsnortheast / Flickr
This trail network provides access to flat land meandering through fields and around Chapman Pond and Greenlaw Brook. There are lots of opportunities to see wildlife in this area and, in the winter, visitors can snowshoe and ski as well.
Distance/Duration: Approximately 5 miles for the entire network, From 1-3 hours depending on the route.
Noah Meyerhans / Flickr
Tumbledown Mountain is located in the western region of Maine, North of Weld. It is often associated with Little Jackson Mountain, with which it shares its trail network.
It’s not the tallest mountain in Maine, but exploring the area will provide some incredible views, beautiful plants and even a near-summit pond. The area is best for moderate to advanced hikers, but as with any hike, caution should be exercised to hike safely.
Distance/Duration: The entire networks is 10 miles, anywhere from 2 hours to all day depending on the route you take.
John Lutz / Flickr
The hike will allow you to explore Maine’s North Woods, in addition to the state’s lumbering history. Access to this short trail comes by traveling to the trailhead at either Chamberlain Lake (South) or Eagle Lake (North). Once you’ve found the trail, you’ll wander through mixed trees (some are about 200 years old!) and pass various remnants of the antique tramway, including the power plant and trails once used to haul lumber.
Distance/Duration: Approximately 1 mile round trip, 1 hour.
Doug Kerr / Flickr
If sweeping views aren’t enough incentive for you to hit the outdoors, check out this trail leading to Moxie Falls. Moxie is one of Maine’s highest waterfalls and has a vertical drop of almost 90 feet. The hike isn’t hard, but might be slippery in places.
Distance/Duration: 2 miles round trip, 2-3 hours.
Dennis Redfield / Flickr
This lovely state park was created in part using land donated by the Scott Paper Company. While the area is mainly used by campers and visitors to Moosehead Lake, the trails offer a nice getaway into the surrounding land. There are 2 main hiking trails here. Both the Dunn Point Trail and the Rowell Cove Trail are fairly easy, family friendly and will take you along the shore of the lake.
Distance/Duration: Approximately 2 miles for both trails, anywhere from 1-3 hours.
Stephen Ingraham / Facebook
This forested preserve is comprised of approximately 625 acres and includes Alewife Pond. This trail will take you in a loop to the pond and back. In the spring you’ll be surrounded by wildflowers and in the summer you’ll want to bring a container for blueberry picking.
Distance/Duration: Approximately 2.5 miles including the full network of paths, anywhere from 1-3 hours
Yi-Chien Chang / Flickr
The South Bubble hike of the Bubble Mountains is one of the more accessible endeavors in Acadia National Park. Once you’ve reached the top you’ll see the famous perched rock, left by glacial activity centuries ago.
Distance/Duration: 2 miles, 1-3 hours.
Corey Templeton / Flickr
To hike the Jewell Island trails, you’re going to have to work for it. The island is only accessible by boat and there are no scheduled ferry services. So, find yourself a craft or a seafaring friend and get ready to experience one of the loveliest outer islands off the coast of Portland. There are so many accessible paths here, we can’t list them all but trust us when we tell you that the 221 acres of island habitat will not disappoint. Those looking for more adventure can pack camping gear and make a weekend of it in the campgrounds on the island. History buffs will enjoy the relics left from WW1 and WW2.
Distance/Duration: 3 miles of trails on the network, anywhere from 3-4 hours, not including launching your boat from the mainland and making your way over.
Viola Ogak / Facebook
Mount Megunticook is the highest of the Camden Hills peaks. Take the trail to Ocean Lookout instead of the actual summit if you want a killer view. The climb is a bit steep in places and the elevation gain is about 1,000 ft.
Distance/Duration: .5 miles, 1-2 hours depending on how you handle the steep pitches, and scrambling through rock.
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