3 Day Fall Hiking Itinerary
Itinerary Note
Note – we put some scheduled times in here just to give you some ideas. You can pick and choose what you want to do. Be sure to look at when they are open and if there are any COVID restrictions. In fact, it would probably be a good idea to call any that you plan to visit just to be on the safe side.
Overview
This three-day itinerary takes you along some of Western Maine’s most scenic hiking trails! Highlights include Puzzle Mountain, Grafton Notch, and Whitecap Mountain.
Day 1
Breakfast at Crossroads Diner
24 Mayville Road, Bethel, ME 04217
Begin your day at the Crossroads Diner for a delicious breakfast before your hike.
Pick up lunch at the Bethel Foodliner
72 Main Street, Bethel, ME 04217
Stop at the Bethel Foodliner grocery store to pick up food for lunch, which you’ll have on your hike.
Hiking at Puzzle Mountain
Puzzle Mountain and Woodsum Spur Trails, 1000 Bear River Road, Newry, ME 04261
Head over to Puzzle Mountain for a challenging, long 7.3-mile hike. The hike has spectacular views of Sunday River, Old Speck, Goose Eye, and Mount Washington. According to some reviews, some trail markings can be difficult to read so be sure to pay attention! On average, the hike took around 4 to 5 hours for reviewers. On the hike, be sure to find a good spot to eat the lunch you packed!
Dinner at Butcher Burger Bethel
188 Main Street, Bethel, ME 04217
Finish your day at Butcher Burger, a great restaurant with a unique twist on burgers and sandwiches, plus the very best of what the Maine beer scene has to offer.
Day 2
Breakfast at the Bethel Sugar Shack
156 West Bethel Road, Bethel, ME 04217
Start your day at the Bethel Sugar Shack for breakfast where you’ll find great eggs, fries, coffee, and more.
Pick up lunch at the Good Food Store
212 Mayville Road, Bethel, ME 04217
Head to the Good Food Store before your hike to pick up lunch, with a takeout menu of sandwiches (including create your own!), salads, soups, burritos, lasagnas, and more.
Hiking at Table Rock in Grafton Notch State Park
Newry, ME 04261
Hike up Table Rock, located in Grafton Notch State Park. It is a 2.7 mile long loop trail that features a cave and a scenic overlook at the top. Be prepared to climb across some boulders in some sections! On the hike, be sure to find a good spot to eat the lunch you packed!
Screw Auger Falls in Grafton Notch State Park
Newry, ME 04261
After lunch, take an easy-level, 0.4-mile hike that leads to a 23-foot waterfall, where there is a 0.1-mile path with guard rails that can be taken to view the falls. The path follows the Bear River and is full of a series of cascades and shallow pools. Be sure to take caution, especially in wet conditions or with small children, as there are many ledges and large drop-offs!
Dinner at Le Mu Eats
7 Mechanic Street, Bethel, ME 04217
End your day at Le Mu Eats where you will find a unique blend of Laotian-American dishes that are made using locally sourced ingredients.
Day 3
Breakfast at the Local Hub
224 N Main Street, Greenwood, ME 04255
Start your day at the Local Hub where you will find delicious baked goods made from scratch, as well as many other great options!
Pick up lunch at the Good Food Store
212 Mayville Road, Bethel, ME 04217
Once again, head to the Good Food Store before your hike to pick up lunch, with a takeout menu of sandwiches (including create your own!), salads, soups, burritos, lasagnas, and more.
Hiking at the Rumford Whitecap Mountain
Rumford, ME 04276
The final hike of this trail is a long, advanced-level trail up the Rumford Whitecap, so only attempt this if you are a prepared and experienced hiker! The mountain is 2200 feet tall and has breathtaking views of the Mahoosuc and White Mountains, Mexico Hills, and the Androscoggin River Valley. On average, the hike takes about 3-4 hours and is 4.8 miles long round trip. On the hike, be sure to find a good spot to eat the lunch you packed!
Dinner at The Sud’s Pub
151 Main Street, Bethel, ME 04217
The Sud’s Pub, located at the Sudbury Inn, has a large selection of great pub food as well as 29 beers on tap.
Packing Checklist
The weather in Maine can be unpredictable. Therefore, here are some ideas to be prepared. Wear comfortable clothes and dress in layers, Maine is very casual, so you probably will not find any restaurants that require formal attire.
Spring/Summer/Fall: clothes, comfortable sneakers or hiking shoes for walking, sun hat, sunscreen, sweater or jacket, insect repellent, toiletries, and phone/camera
Winter: clothes (layers), ski pants highly recommended, winter boots, jacket, hats, scarves, gloves, warm socks, toiletries, and phone/camera. Please pack a helmet if you are participating in snowmobiling, skiing, or snowboarding.
Fun Facts
- Grafton Notch State Park gives a glimpse into Maine’s geological history, demonstrating how water can shape landscapes and metamorphic rocks dating back around 420 million years
- Grafton Notch has a U-shaped valley that was carved out from glaciers in the last ice age, and some of the higher mountain ledges still have grooves from the glacier
- Rumford Whitecap Mountain is home to what is thought to be the largest red pine woodland in the state, covering 210 acres