Whether you stick to the quintessential east coast or head northwest to take on Maine’s tallest peaks, the Pine Tree State accommodates hikers of every skill level. Lace up your boots, fill up your CamelBak, and check out 11 of the best day hikes in Maine.
1. Pleasant Mountain via Southwest Ridge Trail
Location: Denmark
Distance: 5.6 mi
At 2006 feet, Pleasant Mountain is southern Maine’s tallest peak. It’s versatility and proximity to Portland (roughly 1 hour) ensures it sees plenty of action year-round. In winter, skiers and boarders descend the north side of the mountain known as Shawnee Peak. Summer brings out local hikers in droves thanks to the moderate grade, dog-friendly trails that lead to satisfying views from the summit.
Southwest Ridge Trail is tucked off Denmark Road and is less-traversed than the other Pleasant Mountain trails due to its more remote location. However, locals love this route’s length and scenic overlooks throughout the hike. Expect spectacular views over New Hampshire’s epic White Mountains and Mount Washington from the summit.
2. Champlain Mountain & Beehive Loop Trail
Location: Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor
Distance: 6.6 mi
Acadia National Park is one of Maine’s biggest tourist attractions, and many of its exceptional trails are heavily-trafficked. Champlain Mountain and Beehive Loop Trail is an out-and-back trail that showcases the best that Acadia has to offer via a more peaceful and less-explored route.
The rarely-used back trail up Champlain opens up to a sprawling granite summit overlooking Bar Harbor, the Atlantic Ocean, and The Bowl before connecting to the infamous Beehive Loop Trail. The thrilling climb up the vertical granite pinnacle to the top of Beehive will have you buzzing for the rest of the day, and the panoramas of Sand Beach are the best in Acadia.
3. Mount Katahdin via Hamlin Peak
Mt. Katahdin’s Knife Edge
Location: Baxter State Park, Millinocket
Distance: 10.9 mi
Not only is Mount Katahdin the tallest mountain in Maine at 5,269 feet, it’s also the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. The promise of pristine nature, 360-vistas, and the infamous Knife Edge draw ambitious hikers to Baxter State Park with hopes of conquering one of the east coast’s most famous peaks. Despite its reputation, summiting Katahdin is accessible even for beginner hikers with some stamina.
There are roughly 9 trails that lead to the mountain’s multiple peaks , but a popular choice is Chimney Pond Trail (starting in Roaring Brooks campground) to Hamlin Peak and Baxter Peak before carrying on to Katahdin. The loop is roughly 11 miles and takes anywhere between 8-12 hours, depending on pace.
Tack on an extra 2 miles (out and back) if you plan to tackle the infamous Knife Edge, the narrow rocky spine between Mount Katahdin and Mount Paloma. The trek is hair-raising, but the views over the granite massif and across the far-reaching valley and inner basin make it well worth the effort.
4. Tumbledown Mountain Trail
Location: Four Ponds Public Reserved Land, Weld
Distance: 5.3 mi
This classic Maine hike features a mile-long exposed summit and breathtaking views that are especially beautiful in fall when the foliage is in full effect. Tumbledown Mountain Trail ticks all the boxes; dense forest, steep rocky scrambles, an heart-pumping climb through a rocky crawl space, mountain-top lake, and views of Saddleback, Sugarloaf, and Tumbledown Pond.
Although this loop is roughly 5 miles, even experienced hikers report jello-y legs at the end of the day thanks to long stretches of steep rocky climbs near the top.
5. Ridge Trail to Maiden Cliff Trail
Location: Camden Hills State Park, Camden
Distance: 7.8 mi
Camden Hills State Park offers multiple trails, but view-seeking hikers should set their sights on the Ridge Trail to Maiden Cliff. Ocean Lookout is the first photo-op on the path before reaching Mount Megunticook for picture-perfect views over Camden Harbor. However, unlike most treks, the summit is not the most spectacular part.
The Ridge Trail continues on, saving the best for last when it terminates at Maiden Cliff. The outcrop of granite rocks rises high above Megunticook Lake and offers views of the emerald green isles and Fernald’s Neck Preserve below.
While it sounds romantic, Maiden Cliff was actually named after a tragic event in 1864. Twelve-year old Elenora French hiked the cliff with her family to enjoy a picnic when a gust of wind blew her hat from head. Elenora allegedly fell 300 feet as she chased after her hat. She survived the fall initially, but died later of internal injuries. A large white cross now stands at the edge of the cliff as a memorial to Elenora.
*Local hack: if you’re interested in taking in Maiden Cliff without the long day hike, the short albeit steep Maiden Cliff Trail is accessible from a small parking lot off Turnpike Dr.
6. Cliff Trail
Location: Harpswell
Distance: 2.1 mi
The quaint town on Maine’s midcoast boasts a handful of laid-back trails that yield some beautiful ocean views. Cliff Trail rises only a few hundred feet in elevation but earns points for the enchanted moss-covered forest dotted with man-made “fairy houses.” The trail exceeds expectations when it climbs out of the forest and opens up to a 150-foot cliff overlooking Long Reach, Long Reach Preserve, and a sole, unnamed island. The smooth rocks make a perfect perch for soaking up the views, enjoying a picnic lunch, and snapping a few photos before heading back into the forest to complete the loop.
7. Evans Notch and Blueberry Mountain Loop Trail
Location: White Mountain National Forest, Lovell
Distance: 7.8 mi
A few miles west of the Maine-New Hampshire border, Blueberry Mountain is one of the few Maine peaks located in the White Mountain National Forest. The loop trail offers a longer hike without a grueling elevation gain. The 1,782-foot peak winds in and out of the tree line, allowing the opportunity for vistas along the way, before reaching the summit for views over Pond Lake and the rolling foothills.
The bonus of completing this hike comes on the descent. Keep your eyes peeled for an offshoot from the main trail that leads to Rattlesnake Pool, a waterfall-fed body of water where many hikers enjoy a quick, chilly dip after they’ve worked up a sweat.
8. Gulf Hagas Rim Trail & Pleasant River Tote
Location: Brownville Junction
Distance: 8.2 mi
Gulf Hagas, also known as the “Grand Canyon of Maine”, is a 3-mile-long gorge carved by the west branch of Pleasant River. The resulting waterfalls in the middle of Maine’s 100 Mile Wilderness make this one of Maine’s best trails for water feature-seeking hikers.
The Rim Trail–part of the Appalachian Trail corridor–climbs above the gorge for continual views of the cascades throughout the course of the hike. The elevation gain is under 1,000 feet, but what this trail lacks in altitude it makes up for in scenic overlooks and swimming opportunities. Don’t forget your swimsuit!
9. Cutler Coast Trail
Location: Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land, Cutler
Distance: 11.1 mi
The 12,344-acre expanse of preserved land around northern Maine’s Cutler Coast is comparable to the rugged landscape of Acadia National Park – minus the crowds. The Bold Coast, as it’s also known, is a favorite among locals looking to escape the crowds that descend on Bar Harbor and Maine’s famous national park in the summer.
Cutler Coast Trail showcases the best of Maine with over 3 miles of shoreline hiking with uninterrupted views of pine tree-carpeted peninsulas that jut into the Gulf of Maine. The trail then turns inland and winds through forests, meadows, and grassy bogs. Keep your eyes peeled for deer, moose, and a variety of native birds like chickadees and woodpeckers.
10. Bigelow Traverse
Location: Bigelow Preserve, Stratton
Distance: 19.4 mi
Named one of the hardest day hikes in the U.S. by Backpacker Magazine, Bigelow Traverse takes in 6 peaks across the 19-plus mile stretch of Appalachian Trail. Leading clear across Bigelow Preserve in western Maine, hikers first summit Little Bigelow (2,992 feet) before tackling the two 4,000-footers, Myron H Avery Peak (4,049) and Mount Bigelow (4,026).
The trail carries on along the spiny ridge to The Horns (South Peak and North Peak), before relenting to Cranberry Peak on the descent. Rated as strenuous, the leg-burning climb gives way to exposed ridge walks with long, uninterrupted views of Flagstaff Lake and Maine’s western mountains at each peak. It’s important to note that this is a point-to-point hike and requires two cars parked at either end of the trail.
11. Table Rock Trail
Location: Grafton Notch State Park
Distance: 2.7 mi
This short section of the Appalachian Trail yields sweet views and enough of an elevation gain to break a sweat. Table Rock Trail loops up the west side of Bald Pate Mountain, and while the path doesn’t reach the summit, it’s enjoyable for both advanced and novice hikers. Sprawling views from the 2,000-foot-plus peak, naturally-formed rock caves, and iron rung ladder climbs over boulders keep the hike interesting throughout. This is an ideal hike if you’re not looking to spend all day on the trail and still see some of the best of Grafton Notch.
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