The Best Hiking in Maine
Looking for the best hiking in Maine? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Maine. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top hiking spots in and near Maine
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Bar Harbor, Maine
Explore Otter Point
5.01.1 miIf you only have an hour or so left to your day in Acadia, Otter Point offers some amazing views of the coastline, without being on a crowded beach. An easy mellow trail just inland from the shore allows you easy access to iconic places such as Otter Cliffs, Thunder Hole, and Monument Cove. Hike ...Read more -
Bar Harbor, Maine
Explore Cadillac Mountain
4.80.35 miSeeing the sunrise on top of Cadillac Mountain is an absolute must when in Acadia National Park. Not only is it awesome to catch the first sunrise in the U.S., but the views from Cadillac Mountain are unparalleled. At 1,532 feet, Cadillac Mountain is the highest point along the North Atlantic sea...Read more -
Bar Harbor, Maine
Hike the Beehive Trail, Acadia National Park
4.91.35 mi / 512 ft gainThis 1.6 mile round trip trail starts with a moderate grade as you leave the sand beach parking area. After a half a mile you will see a rock pile and you have the option of heading strait for the slower sloping (but less views) trail ahead of you or you can turn to the right and see the steep tr...Read more -
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Photograph Portland Head Light
5.00.5 miPortland Head Light is one of Maine's most iconic and picturesque lighthouses that offers stunning views year round. Located just about 15 minutes outside of Portland, Maine, it's the perfect place to go to watch an early winter sunset and enjoy some ocean views. To get to the light house, you wi...Read more -
Bar Harbor, Maine
Thunder Hole
3.80.17 mi / 29 ft gainA natural phenomenon caused by waves crashing into a narrow inlet, Thunder Hole is a sight worth seeing in Acadia National Park. As the waves rush in and out of the small cavern at the end of the inlet, the water collides with trapped air, creating a loud thunderous sound. The splash of the wat...Read more -
Mount Desert, Maine
Hike around Jordan Pond
4.83.23 miIf you ever find yourself in Acadia National Park, be sure to check out Jordan Pond. Jordan Pond is a 3.6 mile long pond sitting in the heart of Mt. Desert Island. The shoreline of the pond has amazing views of the The Bubbles, which are two similar mountains that resemble "bubbles". The pond has...Read more -
Bar Harbor, Maine
Hike the Precipice Trail of Champlain Mountain in Acadia NP
5.02 mi / 1000 ft gainThe Precipice Trail is one of the most well known trails in Acadia, probably for its difficulty and the fact that it is along the exposed edge of Champlain Mountain. Much of this trail is more of a climb rather than a usual hike. You will have to climb and scramble over large rocks as well as c...Read more -
Millinocket, Maine
Summit Mt. Katahdin via the Hunt Trail
5.010.4 mi / 5000 ft gainLet me start off by saying, this is not an easy hike by any means. Only attempt this if you are an experienced hiker. The route has over 5,000 ft elevation gain in a little over 5 miles. You start off your hike in the Katahdin Stream Campground parking area, following the white Appalachian Trail ...Read more -
Mount Desert, Maine
Hike the Bubbles Divide Trail to Bubble Rock in Acadia NP
4.71.16 mi / 300 ft gainBubble Rock is a well-known natural wonder in Acadia National Park. This large boulder, which was carried by powerful glaciers, is resting precariously on the edge of the summit of South Bubble. Due to its fairly accessible location, it is a common stop for visitors to the park. The trail begi...Read more -
Mount Desert, Maine
Camp at Blackwoods Campground in Bar Harbor
5.0Blackwoods Campground is one of two campgrounds located within Acadia National Park. Since the park does not permit backcountry camping, options to stay outdoors in the actual park are limited to this campground and the Seawall Campground further south on Mt. Desert Island. There are places to ca...Read more -
Millinocket, Maine
Hike to Rocky Pond
5.02.09 mi / 190 ft gainAnytime you're visiting Baxter State Park it is worth making a quick stop at Kidney Pond Campground and hike the Rocky Pond Trail. From the park's South Gate, Kidney Pond is about an hours drive along the Park Tote Road heading Northwest. Once on Kidney Pond Road, stay straight at the turn and it...Read more -
Mount Desert, Maine
Hike Pemetic Mountain in Acadia NP
5.03.81 mi / 1000 ft gainPemetic Mountain is a challenging hike in the Jordan Pond area of Acadia National Park. There are several route options to the summit, with varying levels of difficulty. The most common route is a loop hike starting from the Jordan Pond parking lot. This option ascends the South Ridge Trail, w...Read more -
Portland, Maine
Hike to Jewell Falls
4.02 mi / 300 ft gainFore River Sanctuary is 85 acres in the heart of Portland right off of Congress Street. It is a unique place where the river meets the ocean and creates a marshland landscape, which provides a plethora of opportunities to see wildlife (especially a great diversity of birds - waterfowl, herons, eg...Read more -
Bar Harbor, Maine
Relax at Sand Beach, Acadia National Park
4.5Sand Beach is located off the Park Loop Road on the east side of Mt. Desert Island. Signs for the beach will make it difficult to miss. Once there you can park your car and walk down some steps to the beach. There are restrooms and changing areas close by. On the beach you will be able to la...Read more -
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Hike around Cape Elizabeth's Dyer Cove
5.01 miIf you venture to Cape Elizabeth, you may be lucky enough to see it in the dense fog that I was able to.You'll take a windy road near Portland, Maine surrounded by cute, quaint homes on either side down to the rocky coastline. Park in the designated parking area (very easy to spot as the road's e...Read more -
Stow, Maine
Hike to Rattlesnake Pool
2.11 mi / 207 ft gainThe best place to start your hike is from Route 113 near Gilead, head towards Stone House Road. This becomes Shell Pond Road. A few miles in, you'll find a gated area where you can park. This trail, and Rattlesnake Pool, are both on private land - so be sure to practice leave no trace principles.Read more
