Western Mountains Loop: Peaks, Falls & Lakes

The Western Mountains represent Maine’s vertical ambition—the highest peaks, the most dramatic notches, and the wildest terrain in the state. This loop takes you through landscapes that feel more like New Hampshire’s White Mountains than coastal Maine, with pristine lakes, rushing waterfalls, and genuine wilderness.

Day 1: Bethel & Grafton Notch - Into the Mountains

Morning: Arrival in Bethel

• Arrive Bethel (9am) - From Portland (2.5 hours) or I-95 corridor
• Downtown Bethel walk - Classic New England village green
• Coffee at Good Food Store - Local co-op, excellent cafe
• Bethel Historical Society - Free, quick browse of local history

Late Morning: Grafton Notch State Park

• Drive Route 26 North (10:30am) - Scenic byway through notch
• First stop: Screw Auger Falls (11am)
  • Easy 5-minute walk
  • Swimming holes below falls (summer)
  • Dramatic gorge carved through granite
• Mother Walker Falls (11:30am)
  • Roadside cascade
  • Quick photo stop
  • Picnic area

Afternoon: Table Rock Hike

• Table Rock Trail (12:30-3:30pm)
  • 2.4 miles round trip
  • Steep, rocky climb (challenging)
  • Summit: Dramatic overhang, 1,000-foot views
  • Or easier option: Moose Cave - Short, family-friendly
• Pack lunch - No food services in park
• Return through notch - Old Speck Mountain views

Late Afternoon: Bethel Area Exploration

• Sunday River area (4pm) - Ski resort town (active year-round)
• Artist’s Covered Bridge - Photo opportunity
• Optional: Gem mining - Bumpus Mine (reservations)
• Or: Maine Mineral Museum - Geology exhibits

Evening

• Dinner at Brian’s Chophouse - Upscale mountain dining
• Or: 22 Broad Street - Farm-to-table, seasonal
• Or casual: Sudbury Inn - Pub fare, local hangout
• Evening stroll - Bethel common, quiet mountain evening

Lodging: Bethel Inn, Chapman Inn, or Sunday River condos

Day 2: The Rangeley Lakes - Height of Land

Morning: Scenic Drive to Rangeley

• Depart Bethel (9am)
• Route 26 to Route 16 - Continue mountain scenery
• Brief New Hampshire pass-through - Errol area
• Join Route 16 North - Androscoggin River views

Late Morning: Height of Land

• Height of Land scenic overlook (11am)
  • Most dramatic vista in Maine
  • Mooselookmeguntic Lake below
  • Mountain panoramas
  • Bring camera!
• Pull-out for 15-20 minutes - Soak it in
• Continue to Rangeley (20 min)

Afternoon: Rangeley Exploration

• Arrive Rangeley (12pm)
• Lunch at Parkside & Main - Brewpub, lake views
• Rangeley Outdoor Heritage Museum (1pm)
  • Boats, snowmobiles, local history
  • Free, fascinating collection
• Lakeside walk - Downtown Rangeley waterfront

Late Afternoon: Choose Your Adventure

Option A: Water Activity

• Kayak/Canoe rental - Haley Pond (calm) or Rangeley Lake
• Swimming - Town beach
• Boat tour - Scenic cruise options

Option B: Hiking

• Bald Mountain (3 miles round trip, views)
• Cascade Stream Gorge - Waterfalls, easier walk

Option C: Scenic Drive

• Loop around Rangeley Lake - 30 miles
• Smalls Falls (Route 4 South) - Beautiful cascades

Evening

• Sunset at Height of Land - Return for evening light
• Dinner at Gingerbread House - Classic Rangeley dining
• Or: Sarge’s Pub - Casual, sports bar vibe
• Moose spotting drive (dusk) - Logging roads around Rangeley

Lodging: Rangeley Inn, Town & Lake Motel, or lakefront cabin rental

Day 3: Sugarloaf & Carrabassett Valley

Morning: Rangeley to Kingfield

• Depart Rangeley (9am)
• Route 16 to Route 27 South - Carrabassett Valley
• Stop at Cathedral Pines - Old-growth forest trail

Late Morning: Sugarloaf Area

• Arrive Carrabassett Valley (10:30am)
• Sugarloaf Mountain views - Maine’s 2nd highest peak
• Access road to base area (summer: limited access)
• Mountain scenery - Even without skiing, impressive

Afternoon: Kingfield & Stanley Museum

• Drive to Kingfield (15 min)
• Lunch at Orange Cat Cafe - Local favorite, seasonal
• Stanley Museum (1:30pm)
  • Stanley Steamer automobile history
  • Twin brothers from Kingfield invented it
  • Fascinating Maine innovation story
  • $5 admission

Late Afternoon: Choose Your Activity

Option A: Wire Bridge

• Drive to New Portland (30 min)
  • Wire suspension bridge over Carrabassett River
  • Built 1864, still in use
  • Beautiful spot

Option B: Waterfalls

• Poplar Stream Falls - Short hike
• Houston Brook Falls - Nearby cascade

Option C: Relax

• Kingfield area walk
• Ponds & mountain views
• Early evening in Farmington

Evening: To Farmington

• Drive to Farmington (30 min)
• Check into lodging
• Dinner at The Homestead - Bakery & eatery, local institution
• Or: Calzolaio Pasta Co. - Fresh pasta, wine bar
• University of Maine Farmington campus walk - Pretty campus

Lodging: Farmington Inn, Comfort Inn, or nearby camp

Day 4: Farmington & Return

Morning: Farmington Area

• Breakfast at The Homestead (8am)
• Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum - Small but interesting
• Downtown Farmington - Main Street browsing
• Sandy River beaches - Town swimming areas

Late Morning: Loop Completion Options

Option A: Direct Return to Portland

• Route 4 to I-95 (2.5 hours)
• Stop in Auburn/Lewiston - Lunch options

Option B: Scenic Route via Lakes

• Route 4 South to Livermore Falls
• Connect to Route 133 - Lake region
• Sebago Lake area - Add 1 hour

Option C: Extend West

• Return to Bethel via Route 2
• Connect to White Mountains NH
• Or: More time in Bethel area

Afternoon: Departure

• Flexible based on route choice
• Pack snacks - Rural areas, limited services
• Gas up in Farmington - Last easy fill-up

Essential Information

Best Time to Visit

Fall (Late September-October): Spectacular foliage, peak beauty Summer (June-August): Warm, all activities open, swimming weather Winter (December-March): Skiing, snowmobiling (different itinerary) Spring (May-early June): Waterfalls at peak flow, muddy roads, unpredictable

Driving Considerations

Route 26 Grafton Notch: Steep grades, use low gear on descents Mountain roads: Winding, slower than expected Wildlife: Moose common at dawn/dusk—drive carefully! Gas stations: Fill up in towns (Bethel, Rangeley, Farmington) Cell service: Spotty in mountains, download offline maps

What to Pack

• Hiking boots: Trails rocky and steep
• Layers: Temperature swings 30°+ degrees daily
• Rain gear: Mountain weather changes fast
• Sunscreen & hat: High elevation sun strong
• Binoculars: Moose, eagles, scenic vistas
• Camera: Peak foliage incredible
• Snacks & water: Long stretches between towns
• Bug spray: Summer/early fall mosquitoes

What Makes This Region Special

• Highest peaks: Sugarloaf (4,237’), Old Speck (4,170’)
• Dramatic terrain: Glacially carved notches and gorges
• Pristine lakes: Mooselookmeguntic, Rangeley, Richardson
• Fall foliage: Some of New England’s best
• Wilderness: Feels remote, actually accessible
• Authentic: No tourist trap development

Safety Notes

• Weather: Can change dramatically, be prepared
• Hiking: Trails steep and rocky, proper footwear essential
• Wildlife: Moose crossing roads (serious hazard!)
• Limited services: Towns far apart, plan ahead
• Cell service: Unreliable, tell someone your plans
• Waterfalls: Rocks slippery, swimming only in designated areas

Budget Estimate (per person, 2 sharing)

Lodging: $400-600 (3-4 nights, mid-range) Meals: $200-300 (mostly casual dining, some nice dinners) Gas: $100-150 (significant driving on loop) Activities: $50-100 (museums, rentals, park fees) Total: $750-1,150 per person

Budget Tips

• Camp: Grafton Notch has campgrounds ($25-35/night)
• Pack lunch: Limited options in parks
• Free activities: Waterfalls, scenic overlooks, swimming
• Shoulder season: June or September, lower lodging rates
• Condos: Sunday River area, cook some meals

Extend Your Trip

Add Days For:

• Full Rangeley exploration: Boating, more hikes, fishing
• Baxter State Park: 2 hours from Rangeley, add 2-3 days
• White Mountains NH: Connect to Pinkham Notch, Crawford Notch
• Western Maine lakes: Sebago, Long Lake area

Combine With:

• Moosehead Lake: 2.5 hours from Rangeley
• Sunday River activities: Mountain biking, zip-lining (summer)
• New Hampshire loop: Combine with White Mountains circuit

Best Loop Direction

Recommended: Clockwise (Bethel → Rangeley → Kingfield → Farmington)

• Grafton Notch first (best in morning light)
• Height of Land midday (sun overhead)
• Gentler return drive

Counter-clockwise also works - Rangeley last for sunset

Activities by Season

Summer (June-August)

• Swimming in lakes and gorges
• Kayaking, canoeing
• All hiking trails open
• Fishing (Rangeley famous for)
• Mountain biking

Fall (September-October)

• Peak foliage viewing
• Cooler hiking conditions
• Height of Land at its best
• Wildlife more visible
• Harvest season dining

Winter (December-March)

• Skiing (Sunday River, Sugarloaf)
• Snowmobiling (extensive trail network)
• Ice fishing
• Snowshoeing
• Cross-country skiing

Dining Highlights

Bethel:

• Brian’s Chophouse (upscale)
• 22 Broad Street (farm-to-table)
• Sudbury Inn (pub food)

Rangeley:

• Parkside & Main (brewpub)
• Gingerbread House (classic)
• Sarge’s (casual)

Kingfield:

• Orange Cat Cafe (seasonal, excellent)
• Longfellow’s (fine dining when open)

Farmington:

• The Homestead (bakery/cafe)
• Calzolaio Pasta (Italian)
• University area cafes

Pro Tips

1. Grafton Notch: Start early for best light and fewer crowds
2. Height of Land: Stop both directions—morning and evening light different
3. Moose: Dawn/dusk on Route 16 near Rangeley (80% sighting rate)
4. Fall foliage: Peak usually last week September/first week October
5. Gas up: Never pass a station in mountains
6. Reservations: Fall foliage weekends book months ahead
7. Weather layers: 40°F mornings, 70°F afternoons common
8. Waterfalls: Best after rain or spring melt
9. Bugs: Black flies (June) and mosquitoes (July) can be intense
10. Photography: Height of Land, Table Rock, Screw Auger Falls are musts

Family-Friendly Adjustments

With Kids:

• Skip Table Rock, do Moose Cave instead (easier)
• More swimming time at lakes
• Shorter drives, more frequent stops
• Gem mining in Bethel (kids love it)
• Ice cream stops (Farmington, Rangeley have options)

With Teens:

• Challenge hikes (Table Rock, Bald Mountain)
• Water sports (kayaking, paddleboarding)
• Mountain biking at Sunday River (summer)
• Zip-lining (Bethel area)

Why This Loop?

The Western Mountains aren’t famous like Acadia. They’re not on most tourists’ radar. But they offer something coastal Maine can’t: vertical drama, alpine lakes, and the feeling that you’ve driven off the map.

You’ll stand at Height of Land and see nothing but mountains and lakes stretching to Canada. You’ll swim in gorges carved through granite. You’ll drive roads where moose outnumber cars.

This is Maine for people who want mountains with their pine trees, who find “scenic byway” irresistible, who understand that sometimes the best Maine experiences are the ones furthest from the ocean.

Come in fall when the maples explode into reds and oranges. Come in summer when the lakes warm enough for swimming. But come.

The Western Mountains loop is the itinerary that reminds you Maine is more than lobsters and lighthouses—it’s also peaks, notches, and the wild.