The Ultimate Guide to Hiking in Maine

Hiking in Maine is a study in contrasts. You can start your day scrambling up an exposed granite ridge in the western mountains and end it walking a gentle path along a salt marsh at sunset. From the rugged coast of Acadia to the pristine wilderness of the North Woods. Maine offers trails for every skill level and ambition.

Iconic Mountain Hikes (The 4,000 Footers & More)

Mount Katahdin (Baxter State Park)

The Ultimate Challenge Katahdin isn’t just Maine’s highest peak (5,267 ft)—it’s a spiritual destination. As the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, it represents the culmination of months-long journeys.

The Knife Edge: The most famous route, a narrow, exposed ridge with thousand-foot drops on both sides. Not for the faint of heart or those with a fear of heights.
Need to Know: Parking reservations are mandatory and sell out months in advance. This is a strenuous, full-day hike. Start before dawn.

Tumbledown Mountain (Weld)

The Alpine Swimming Hole Tumbledown offers a reward most summits can’t match: a pristine alpine pond perfect for swimming.

The Loop: Take the Brook Trail up (scrambling required) and the Loop Trail down.
Highlight: “Fat Man’s Misery,” a narrow chimney you must squeeze through near the summit.

Bigelow Mountain Range (Stratton)

The Best Ridgeline Many hikers consider the Bigelow Range to be the most scenic in the state. The Avery Peak and West Peak traverse offers stunning views of Flagstaff Lake below.

Trail: The Fire Warden’s Trail is a steep but direct route to the col between peaks.

Old Speck Mountain (Grafton Notch)

The Deep Woods Giant Maine’s third-highest peak offers a classic deep-woods experience ending with a fire tower view.

Bonus: Stop at Screw Auger Falls and Mother Walker Falls in Grafton Notch State Park on your way.

Best Coastal Hikes

Marginal Way (Ogunquit)

The accessible Classic A paved, mile-long cliff walk connecting Perkins Cove to Ogunquit Beach. It offers dramatic ocean views with zero technical difficulty.

Best for: Families, strollers, and sunset walks.
Tip: Park at Perkins Cove and walk towards the beach.

Great Wass Island Preserve (Beals)

Rugged Downeast Beauty Located far downeast, this Nature Conservancy preserve offers a 4.5-mile loop through jack pine forests to a stark, wind-battered granite coastline.

Why go: It feels like the edge of the world. The biodiversity here is unique, with rare plants and sub-arctic species.

Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land (Cutler)

** The “Bold Coast”** Often called the “mini-Inca Trail,” this offers some of the most dramatic coastal hiking on the East Coast. High cliffs drop straight into the crashing Atlantic.

The Hike: The 10-mile loop is challenging but rewarding. Backcountry campsites are available for overnights.

Morse Mountain to Seawall Beach (Phippsburg)

The Beach Reward A 2-mile walk (one way) on a paved private road (no cars allowed) leads over a “mountain” (it’s a hill) to Seawall Beach, a pristine, undeveloped stretch of sand next to Popham Beach.

Note: The bugs can be fierce in early summer. Bring spray.

Family-Friendly Hikes

Wolfe’s Neck Woods (Freeport)

Gentle, flat trails winding through pine forests and along the rocky shores of Casco Bay. Perfect for toddlers and osprey watching.

Bradbury Mountain (Pownal)

A short, steep hike to a bald summit with great views. It’s the “first mountain” for many Maine kids. The summit is a popular spot for hawk watching in spring.

Douglas Mountain (Sebago)

A quick hike to a stone tower offering panoramic views of Sebago Lake and the White Mountains.

Planning Your Hike

Be Prepared: Weather on mountains changes instantly. It can be 70°F at the trailhead and 40°F with 50mph winds at the summit. Always pack layers.
Footwear: Roots and granite rocks are slippery. Sturdy hiking boots or shoes with good grip are essential.
Bugs: May and June are black fly season. Bring DEET or a bug net.
Leave No Trace: Maine’s wilderness is fragile. Carry out everything you carry in. Stay on marked trails to protect alpine vegetation.
Safety: Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. Cell service is non-existent in many hiking areas.