The Best Hiking Trails in Maine

The Wonderland Trail, when paired with the [Ship Harbor Trail](https://fatmap.com/routeid/2697725/ship-harbor-trail), make for two of Acadia's best easy and family-friendly day hikes. The Wonderland is an out-and-back to a coastal point "where children and adults alike enjoy searching for life in the various tide pools," according to [this source](https://www....

Just minutes from Bass Harbor, the Ship Harbor Trail and the [Wonderland Trail](https://fatmap.com/routeid/2697724/wonderland-trail) are two of Acadia's best family-friendly hikes. A "figure-8" loop, the path is mostly level through a forested area "that leads to an interesting section of coastline where faults in the sheets of pink granite create numerous tide pools that are fun for children and adults alike to explore," according to [this source](https://www....

Tunk Mountain is a moderately difficult hike that goes around a couple ponds on the way to the summit with gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains and ponds. Some trail maps show this as a loop hike but the only trail that is maintained is the out and back trail shown here....

The Great Head Trail is a scenic coastal hike that visits the remnants of an early 1900s tea house while offering views of Sand Beach and the [Beehive](https://fatmap.com/routeid/2697178/beehive-trail) along the way....

Towering 1,500 feet above sea level, Cadillac Mountain should top your list if you only have time for one hike in Acadia. As the highest peak in the park, Cadillac is one of the "first spots in the United States to get hit by sunrise," according to this [local guide](https://www....

Nicknamed the "Bubbles Nubble Loop" by the NPS, this loop links the exposed granite summits of North and South Bubble with the lesser-visited views atop Conners Nubble to the north. Along the way, you will enjoy views of nearby Eagle Lake and Jordan Pond, while views to the south stretch as far as Cranberry Isles....

This segment of the Appalachian Trail begins at Grafton Notch, where the trail crosses ME-26. A relatively large trailhead lies on the west side of the road, just south of the trail....

The southern terminus of the segment lies along Rumford Road, just north of where the Appalachian Trail crosses. Begin the segment with a climb over the (comparatively) small Spruce Mountain. The trail wraps around the northern side of the lake before hugging its eastern shore....

This long stretch of the Appalachian Trail is an excellent backpacking route, with a few options for day hiking along the way. The infamous 100-Mile Wilderness lies ahead of this segment and provides some extremely remote settings....

This loop combines the summits of Acadia Mountain, Saint Sauveur Mountain, and Valley Peak into a rugged 4.5-mile circuit loaded with views. Far less visited than other hikes to the east, this is one of the most rewarding and versatile day hikes you will find....

The Gorham Mountain Loop is a classic day hike with dramatic oceanside views and the option to test your wits on one of Acadia's acclaimed "rung and ladder" trails. It provides an "excellent overview of what Acadia has to offer" and includes a "taste of history....

The Cadillac North Ridge Trail is one of the many beautiful trails in Acadia National Park, but it ranks among the most beautiful due to its ultimate vaulted vantage point from the top of Cadillac Mountain....

This segment of the Appalachian Trail begins at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, due east of the Presidential Range. This large trailhead makes this a popular hub to access the highest peak in the northeast, Mount Washington....

This ~100 mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail is the most remote, challenging, and demanding portion of the trail. It crosses over the picturesque mountain ranges of Central Maine, and skirts between its beautiful, serene lakes....

This final segment of the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail summits Mount Katahdin via the Hunt Trail. The centerpiece of Maine's Baxter State Park, Katahdin serves as the highest mountain in the state and even translates as "The Greatest Mountain" in the native Penobscot Indian language....

This epic route connects the Roaring Brook Campground to Mount Katahdin via the infamous Knife Edge Trail. This hike could be completed as a full day hike, or an overnight trip utilizing the Chimney Pond Campground....

"If you are searching for an adventurous hike with a spectacular view, look no further than the Beehive loop," the park proclaims. This 1.5-mile "rung and ladder" loop is a classic and one of the most-visited hikes in Acadia National Park....

This epic "iron rung" route pairs the Beech Cliff and Canada Cliff Trails into a ~2-mile loop from Echo Lake Beach. There is no shortage of views on this hike, but they are not for the faint of heart....

This loop links the cliffside views and narrow trail along Jordan Cliffs with the exposed granite summit of Penobscot Mountain. The result, an excellent day loaded with spectacular views, rocky trails, and even some of Acadia's acclaimed "iron rungs....

Though short, this route to the summit of Mount Katahdin should not be taken lightly. The trail still gains nearly 4,000 feet in its short 3.5-mile ascent. Though the strongest of trail runners have done the climb in under two hours, most would suggest allocating 3-5 hours to reach the summit....