Backpack Cutler Coast

This is a great hike for beginner backpackers! We were able to successfully complete it with our 4month old puppy!

At the trailhead, there is plenty of parking and an outhouse. We took the coastal trail to the ocean and continued along the Fairy Head Loop: This trail provides the most extensive shorefront hiking with 3.8 miles that skirt the shore. The backcountry sites are at Fairy Head just before the loop continues inland. The sites are all on the ocean and fairly spread apart. 

We hiked a bit farther to camp at the second back country site which has a private beach and is situated on a cliff over the ocean.

After camping and waking up for sunrise (you are on the ocean so you might as well), you can then continue around the entire loop which ends up being 9.6 miles, or you can just go back the way you came to enjoy the shoreline again without going inland and it ends up being about 8 miles. 

Elevation gain is negligible since you are winding around the coast, but there are some steep parts on the cliffs and a bit of rock scrambling at times. 

Things to note:

• There are no fires allowed in the area due to the fragility of the ecosystem - even though the sites all have fire pits do NOT use them.
• We went in July and it was EXTREMELY buggy in the evening. The views were definitely worth it, but if you forget bug spray you will be absolutely miserable. 
• Head to Lubec after your adventure to see the eastern most lighthouse in the US: West Quoddy Head Lighthouse