Hiking
Maine is naturally very hilly and forested, and so it has become a great place to find the perfect hike! Because our hills are variable in terms of their difficulty, length, and height, so there is a hike for almost everyone! The Appalachian Trail is a major part of our trail infrastructure, snaking its way across the western part of the state to the northern end of the trail at Baxter Peak on Mt. Katahdin, Maine’s highest point.
Check out these hiking suggestions below from each of our three focus regions, and check out more on our Destinations page if you would like to learn about more!
Aroostook County
A recently-opened trail in Island Falls takes you on a 4.5-mile journey to a beautiful panoramic scene where you can see for dozens of miles in all directions! Robinson Mountain sits in an ideal location, allowing gorgeous views of surrounding towns, and on a clear day, Mt. Katahdin!
The trail is intermediate in difficulty, with some areas that may be a tad tricky for those who are new to hiking. If you do decide to take this hike, be sure to pack some lunch to stop by the picnic area that sits on the farther end of the trail, at a site that sits a ways before the top of Robinson Mountain.
Western Maine
Located near the town of Rangeley, the Bald Mountain Trail is a moderate-level trail that takes you to the top of Bald Mountain. While the trail can be busy at times, it’s definitely worth the 2.3-mile journey on the web of trails that it’s a part of. The trail winds through gorgeous old-growth trees, and as you climb up the mountain and the trail becomes a bit more tricky, the large trees give way to smaller shrubs.
Upon reaching the top, you are rewarded with stunning views of nearby lakes and hills. In the fall, the changing leaves will take your breath away! Not only is the bare rock a great place to stop and take a rest before heading down, but there is a picnic area as well as an observation tower if you want to get that extra bit of height to really stretch your view!
Downeast
Boot Head sits all the way to the far eastern side of the state. Nestled in Lubec, the area is filled with gorgeous hiking trails that allow awesome views of the ocean, as well as give access to rocky beaches and opportunities for wildlife to make itself known to the hiker.
Pets are allowed, so long as they are leashed and do not run off the trail. Likewise, hikers should also stay on the trail to preserve the environment and any rare species that might be present near the path. Its proximity to the ocean may bring with it brisk winds, so be sure to bring a light jacket, even during the middle of summer!