Hiking in Maine is a great pastime, but it’s easy to forget that it’s not all the 100-Mile Wilderness out there. Maine is famous for some hard hikes, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of ways for amateur outdoorsmen to get their feet wet. Some of the best hikes in Maine are under three miles! And, don’t worry – these trails won’t actually get your feet wet.
- Ecotat Gardens and Arboretum, Hermon
Ecotat Gardens and Arboretum / Facebook It doesn’t get much better than a manicured trail that costs nothing to enjoy. There are more than 80 acres of land here, with 15 acres of gardens full of non-native flowers and native trees. The trail system meanders through the wooded area as well as the marshy area below, making it one of the nicest scenic hikes in Hermon.
Distance/Duration: Approximately 1.3 miles, including the entire network of paths, anywhere from one to three hours. Check out the area’s website. Ecotat Gardens and Arboretum, 25 Annis Rd, Hermon, ME 04401, USA
- Rines Forest Trail, Cumberland
John Howell / Flickr Rines Forest is part of a 216-acre woodland. We think the southern portion of the area is the best. It features steep rolling hills mixed with wonderful cascading streams. Keep in mind that much of this area is wet floodplain and is meant only to be used in the winter.
Distance/Duration: The network is comprised of about 2.5 miles of trails, anywhere from one to three hours. Find the latest info. Rines Forest Trailhead, 352-362 Range Rd, Cumberland, ME 04021, USA
- Alewife Woods Preserve, Kennebunk
skypictures / Flickr This forested preserve is about 625 acres and includes the lovely Alewife Pond. The loop trail is one of many scenic hikes in Maine and leads directly to the pond and back. Best of all, in the spring, you’ll be surrounded by wildflowers. And then in the summer, you’ll want to bring a plastic container for when the wild blueberries are at their peak.
Distance/Duration: Approximately 2.5 miles, including the full network of paths, anywhere from one to three hours. This website can tell you more about the area. Alewive Woods Preserve, Kennebunk, ME 04043, USA
- Jesup Path, Bar Harbor
rjcox / Flickr To access this trail, head toward Acadia National Park and enter through the Hulls Cove Entrance. You’ll find the trail’s start next to the Wild Gardens of Acadia. The forest here is lush, and you’ll find it hard to believe that you’re so close to the rocky coast of Acadia National Park.
Distance/Duration: The trail is about 1.5 miles, anywhere from one to two hours. Learn more about this trail. Jesup Path, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
- Step Falls Trail, Newry
The B’s / Flickr One of the many easy hikes in Maine, this short trail leads directly to the base of these beautiful falls, which are among the highest in Maine. For a different vantage point, take the slightly more challenging hike up to the top. The trail follows along Wight Brook and offers opportunities for wildlife viewing and swimming.
Distance/Duration: Approximately one mile roundtrip, about 45 minutes to one hour for the whole thing, depending on your pace. Use this site to help plan your short hike here. Step Falls Hiking Trail, 1657 Bear River Rd, Newry, ME 04261, USA
- Cascade Stream Gorge Trail, Sandy River Plantation
The B’s / Flickr This simple one-mile loop follows the path of the Cascade Stream Gorge. Bring a picnic because there are a few spots to stop and enjoy the scenery. And taking a break at the stream to swim is a great way to cool off on a hot day. The hike is located within the 50-acre Cascade Stream Gorge Conservation Area, which is on the Maine Registry of Critical Areas. It’s a truly beautiful place and one of the most scenic hikes in Maine.
Distance/Duration: Approximately one mile, about 30-45 minutes roundtrip, depending on your pace. Check out the Maine Trail Finder listing on this. Cascade Stream Gorge Trail, Coplin, ME 04970, USA
- Moxie Falls, Moxie Gore
Doug Kerr / Flickr You might be surprised that this gorgeous waterfall can be reached by a relatively simple walk! Moxie Falls 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: Two miles roundtrip, two-three hours. Get all the details. Moxie Falls, Unnamed Road, West Forks, ME 04985, USA
- Lily Bay State Park Trails, Beaver Cove
dennisredfield / 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 two main hiking trails here. Doing both the Dunn Point Trail and the Rowell Cove Trail will have you hiking under three miles along the shore of the lake. They’re fairly easy and some of the best kid-friendly hikes around Beaver Cove.
Distance/Duration: Approximately two miles for both trails, anywhere from one to three hours. Learn more about the park from this website. Lily Bay State Park, 425 Lily Bay Rd, Beaver Cove, ME 04441, USA
- The Tramway Trail, Eagle Lake Township
johnlutz / Flickr This hike might be short, but it’s one of the harder ones to actually access. This is perfect for those who like adventure and challenge, but prefer the actual energy expended to be low! Access to this short trail is from Maine’s North Woods 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 one mile roundtrip, one hour. Maine Trail Finder has a write-up for it. Chamberlain Lake, Northwest Piscataquis, ME, USA
- South Bubble Mountain and Jordan Pond: Mt. Desert, Acadia National Park
dustin_j_williams / Flickr You might be surprised that the South Bubble hike of the Bubble Mountains is one of the more accessible activities 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: Two miles, one to three hours. All Trails has a listing for this loop. South Bubble, Mt Desert, ME 04660, USA
- Pleasant Mountain Trail, Bridgton/Denmark
jon collier / Flickr With over ten miles of trails included in this system, there are lots of different options for hikers. 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. It is one of the most scenic hikes in Bridgton.
Distance/Duration: Approximately two to three miles, depending on which trail you choose, anywhere from one to three hours. Learn about all of these trails. Pleasant Mountain - Bald Peak Trail Parking, 368 Mountain Rd, Bridgton, ME 04009, USA
- Wolfe’s Neck State Park, Freeport
Gwyn Fisher / Flickr While the network of trails here is about five miles, you’ll find that most of the individual trails are much shorter. Walking through the network of Casco Bay Trails will take you from forest to rocky coastline. This park has some of the best kid-friendly hikes around Freeport. You can finish off the day at the outlets in downtown Freeport.
Distance/Duration: Five miles if you do every trail, one to five hours depending on how many of the trails you take. Get the details on this park before you head out. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, 426 Wolfe’s Neck Rd, Freeport, ME 04032, USA
For some other fun options, check out these other classic Maine hikes.
Ecotat Gardens and Arboretum / Facebook
It doesn’t get much better than a manicured trail that costs nothing to enjoy. There are more than 80 acres of land here, with 15 acres of gardens full of non-native flowers and native trees. The trail system meanders through the wooded area as well as the marshy area below, making it one of the nicest scenic hikes in Hermon.
Distance/Duration: Approximately 1.3 miles, including the entire network of paths, anywhere from one to three hours. Check out the area’s website.
Ecotat Gardens and Arboretum, 25 Annis Rd, Hermon, ME 04401, USA
John Howell / Flickr
Rines Forest is part of a 216-acre woodland. We think the southern portion of the area is the best. It features steep rolling hills mixed with wonderful cascading streams. Keep in mind that much of this area is wet floodplain and is meant only to be used in the winter.
Distance/Duration: The network is comprised of about 2.5 miles of trails, anywhere from one to three hours. Find the latest info.
Rines Forest Trailhead, 352-362 Range Rd, Cumberland, ME 04021, USA
skypictures / Flickr
This forested preserve is about 625 acres and includes the lovely Alewife Pond. The loop trail is one of many scenic hikes in Maine and leads directly to the pond and back. Best of all, in the spring, you’ll be surrounded by wildflowers. And then in the summer, you’ll want to bring a plastic container for when the wild blueberries are at their peak.
Distance/Duration: Approximately 2.5 miles, including the full network of paths, anywhere from one to three hours. This website can tell you more about the area.
Alewive Woods Preserve, Kennebunk, ME 04043, USA
rjcox / Flickr
To access this trail, head toward Acadia National Park and enter through the Hulls Cove Entrance. You’ll find the trail’s start next to the Wild Gardens of Acadia. The forest here is lush, and you’ll find it hard to believe that you’re so close to the rocky coast of Acadia National Park.
Distance/Duration: The trail is about 1.5 miles, anywhere from one to two hours. Learn more about this trail.
Jesup Path, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
The B’s / Flickr
One of the many easy hikes in Maine, this short trail leads directly to the base of these beautiful falls, which are among the highest in Maine. For a different vantage point, take the slightly more challenging hike up to the top. The trail follows along Wight Brook and offers opportunities for wildlife viewing and swimming.
Distance/Duration: Approximately one mile roundtrip, about 45 minutes to one hour for the whole thing, depending on your pace. Use this site to help plan your short hike here.
Step Falls Hiking Trail, 1657 Bear River Rd, Newry, ME 04261, USA
This simple one-mile loop follows the path of the Cascade Stream Gorge. Bring a picnic because there are a few spots to stop and enjoy the scenery. And taking a break at the stream to swim is a great way to cool off on a hot day. The hike is located within the 50-acre Cascade Stream Gorge Conservation Area, which is on the Maine Registry of Critical Areas. It’s a truly beautiful place and one of the most scenic hikes in Maine.
Distance/Duration: Approximately one mile, about 30-45 minutes roundtrip, depending on your pace. Check out the Maine Trail Finder listing on this.
Cascade Stream Gorge Trail, Coplin, ME 04970, USA
Doug Kerr / Flickr
You might be surprised that this gorgeous waterfall can be reached by a relatively simple walk! Moxie Falls 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: Two miles roundtrip, two-three hours. Get all the details.
Moxie Falls, Unnamed Road, West Forks, ME 04985, USA
dennisredfield / 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 two main hiking trails here. Doing both the Dunn Point Trail and the Rowell Cove Trail will have you hiking under three miles along the shore of the lake. They’re fairly easy and some of the best kid-friendly hikes around Beaver Cove.
Distance/Duration: Approximately two miles for both trails, anywhere from one to three hours. Learn more about the park from this website.
Lily Bay State Park, 425 Lily Bay Rd, Beaver Cove, ME 04441, USA
johnlutz / Flickr
This hike might be short, but it’s one of the harder ones to actually access. This is perfect for those who like adventure and challenge, but prefer the actual energy expended to be low! Access to this short trail is from Maine’s North Woods 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 one mile roundtrip, one hour. Maine Trail Finder has a write-up for it.
Chamberlain Lake, Northwest Piscataquis, ME, USA
dustin_j_williams / Flickr
You might be surprised that the South Bubble hike of the Bubble Mountains is one of the more accessible activities 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: Two miles, one to three hours. All Trails has a listing for this loop.
South Bubble, Mt Desert, ME 04660, USA
jon collier / Flickr
With over ten miles of trails included in this system, there are lots of different options for hikers. 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. It is one of the most scenic hikes in Bridgton.
Distance/Duration: Approximately two to three miles, depending on which trail you choose, anywhere from one to three hours. Learn about all of these trails.
Pleasant Mountain - Bald Peak Trail Parking, 368 Mountain Rd, Bridgton, ME 04009, USA
Gwyn Fisher / Flickr
While the network of trails here is about five miles, you’ll find that most of the individual trails are much shorter. Walking through the network of Casco Bay Trails will take you from forest to rocky coastline. This park has some of the best kid-friendly hikes around Freeport. You can finish off the day at the outlets in downtown Freeport.
Distance/Duration: Five miles if you do every trail, one to five hours depending on how many of the trails you take. Get the details on this park before you head out.
Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, 426 Wolfe’s Neck Rd, Freeport, ME 04032, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
best hikes in Maine April 26, 2022 Rachel Raimondi What are the most beautiful hikes in Maine? If you are looking for hiking trails near me in Maine, know that there is an enormous amount of beautiful hikes to choose from. Just one example would be the 2.1-mile Table Rock loop trail, located in Oxford County’s Grafton Notch State Park. You’ll head up Bald Pate Mountain with an elevation gain of about 875 feet to a gorgeous panoramic of a part of the famed thru-hike, the 2,109-mile Appalachian Trail. Over in Piscataquis County, Knife Edge Trail in Baxter State Park is certainly not for the faint of heart, as it includes a 1.1-mile very steep scramble up through loose rocks. If you do consider this challenge, your reward will be expansive panoramic views from the state’s highest peak, the surrounding park, mountains, Aroostook County, and the Allagash River. What are the best waterfall hikes in Maine? There are quite a few waterfalls located within the Pine Tree State, and a trip to the White Mountains region won’t disappoint. Angel Falls, with its 90-foot drop, is one of the tallest in the state and you can reach it via a .8-mile hike. In Stow, you’ll find Bickford Slides, another 90-foot tall waterfall, but this one has one 40 foot tier and another 50 foot tier. You can reach the lower slide in .7 miles and the upper in 1.1 miles. What are the most beautiful lakes in Maine? There are more than 6,000 lakes and ponds within the state for residents and visitors to enjoy. The biggest lake, Moosehead Lake, is located in the northwestern part of the state. It got its name due to the high population of moose in the area as well as the body of water’s antler-like shape. There are 280 miles of shoreline with plenty of places to swim, boat, camp, hike and fish. In Franklin County, there is the Rangeley Lakes region, which consists of six lakes known famously for trout fishing opportunities. In all, they cover about 80 square miles and offer a variety of recreation on the water and along the shores.
The OIYS Visitor Center
best hikes in Maine
April 26, 2022
Rachel Raimondi
What are the most beautiful hikes in Maine? If you are looking for hiking trails near me in Maine, know that there is an enormous amount of beautiful hikes to choose from. Just one example would be the 2.1-mile Table Rock loop trail, located in Oxford County’s Grafton Notch State Park. You’ll head up Bald Pate Mountain with an elevation gain of about 875 feet to a gorgeous panoramic of a part of the famed thru-hike, the 2,109-mile Appalachian Trail. Over in Piscataquis County, Knife Edge Trail in Baxter State Park is certainly not for the faint of heart, as it includes a 1.1-mile very steep scramble up through loose rocks. If you do consider this challenge, your reward will be expansive panoramic views from the state’s highest peak, the surrounding park, mountains, Aroostook County, and the Allagash River. What are the best waterfall hikes in Maine? There are quite a few waterfalls located within the Pine Tree State, and a trip to the White Mountains region won’t disappoint. Angel Falls, with its 90-foot drop, is one of the tallest in the state and you can reach it via a .8-mile hike. In Stow, you’ll find Bickford Slides, another 90-foot tall waterfall, but this one has one 40 foot tier and another 50 foot tier. You can reach the lower slide in .7 miles and the upper in 1.1 miles. What are the most beautiful lakes in Maine? There are more than 6,000 lakes and ponds within the state for residents and visitors to enjoy. The biggest lake, Moosehead Lake, is located in the northwestern part of the state. It got its name due to the high population of moose in the area as well as the body of water’s antler-like shape. There are 280 miles of shoreline with plenty of places to swim, boat, camp, hike and fish. In Franklin County, there is the Rangeley Lakes region, which consists of six lakes known famously for trout fishing opportunities. In all, they cover about 80 square miles and offer a variety of recreation on the water and along the shores.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If you are looking for hiking trails near me in Maine, know that there is an enormous amount of beautiful hikes to choose from. Just one example would be the 2.1-mile Table Rock loop trail, located in Oxford County’s Grafton Notch State Park. You’ll head up Bald Pate Mountain with an elevation gain of about 875 feet to a gorgeous panoramic of a part of the famed thru-hike, the 2,109-mile Appalachian Trail. Over in Piscataquis County, Knife Edge Trail in Baxter State Park is certainly not for the faint of heart, as it includes a 1.1-mile very steep scramble up through loose rocks. If you do consider this challenge, your reward will be expansive panoramic views from the state’s highest peak, the surrounding park, mountains, Aroostook County, and the Allagash River.
What are the best waterfall hikes in Maine?
There are quite a few waterfalls located within the Pine Tree State, and a trip to the White Mountains region won’t disappoint. Angel Falls, with its 90-foot drop, is one of the tallest in the state and you can reach it via a .8-mile hike. In Stow, you’ll find Bickford Slides, another 90-foot tall waterfall, but this one has one 40 foot tier and another 50 foot tier. You can reach the lower slide in .7 miles and the upper in 1.1 miles.
What are the most beautiful lakes in Maine?
There are more than 6,000 lakes and ponds within the state for residents and visitors to enjoy. The biggest lake, Moosehead Lake, is located in the northwestern part of the state. It got its name due to the high population of moose in the area as well as the body of water’s antler-like shape. There are 280 miles of shoreline with plenty of places to swim, boat, camp, hike and fish. In Franklin County, there is the Rangeley Lakes region, which consists of six lakes known famously for trout fishing opportunities. In all, they cover about 80 square miles and offer a variety of recreation on the water and along the shores.
