Maine is typically known for its lobsters, clam chowder, and coastal charm. But what’s not so known about Portland, Maine, is that it’s also a terrific place to explore the great outdoors! With the wide variety of terrain from the flat, coastal access to the inland mountainous region, there’s a little something for everyone here.
One of the best aspects of hiking in Maine is that you get to the mountains, the forests, and the oceans all in a day. If you choose the right trail, you can even see it all in the same hike! Anyone who loves the outdoors will find something to love on the trails around Portland, Maine. Whether you are looking for a leisurely, flat stroll on the coast or a challenging mountain summit, you’ll find it in Portland!
Table of Contents
Easy Hikes Near Portland, Maine
Fore River Sanctuary White Trail
Image Source: Trails.org
- Location: Portland, Maine
- Trail Length: 3.3 miles
- Trail Type: Out-and-back trail
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Estimated Time: 1 ½ hour
The Fore River Sanctuary is known to be one of the best hikes in Maine for waterfalls! At just over 3 miles and well-shaded, it’s a great day hike for hikers of all experience levels. As you meander along this trail, you’ll cross wooden boardwalks through marshes before arriving at a picturesque waterfall. The Fore River Sanctuary White Trail is super accessible from the city of Portland while also offering solitude and natural beauty.
The Fore River Sanctuary is an 85-acre preserve. The sanctuary is home to Jewell Falls, Portland’s only natural waterfall. In addition, the lowland marshy area is excellent for bird-watching.
The trail is also family- and dog-friendly. It’s great for a leisurely stroll through a beautiful landscape with the whole family! The Fore River Sanctuary White Trail is a popular spot for locals to go hiking in the summer, so make sure you get an early start!
Mackworth Island Trail
Image Source: AllTrails
- Location: Mackworth Island State Park
- Trail Length: Approximately 1.5 miles
- Trail Type: Loop trail
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Estimated Time: ½ – 1 hour
The Mackworth Island Trail is an excellent option for a quick hike near the city. The trail is heavily forested and offers plenty of shade and stunning views of the surrounding water. In addition, it’s a flat and easy trail with a gentle grade which makes it perfect for a whole family adventure!
The Mackworth Island Trail offers a wide variety of scenery, including coastlines, forests, and rocky outcroppings. It’s located on a beautiful 100-acre island off the coast of Falmouth, Maine.
On your hike along the Mackworth Island Trail, you’ll have many beautiful views of Portland and nearby islands in Casco Bay. Remember that six access trails lead down to the rocky beaches for some more stunning views. There are also plenty of benches along this trail to stop and enjoy the beautiful views!
Tote Road Loop Trail
Image Source: AllTrails
- Location: Bradbury Mountain State Park
- Trail Length: Approximately 2 miles
- Trail Type: Loop trail
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Estimated Time: 1 hour
The Tote Road Loop Trail is located within the Bradbury Mountain State Park, just a quick 30-minute drive from downtown Portland, Maine. It’s very accessible and holds campsites, picnic areas, and trails open to both hikers and mountain bikers.
Tote Road Loop is a great day hike for anyone who doesn’t want to travel too far from the city to hike in a beautiful area with panoramic views. This loop trail is a great way to see all there is to offer in Bradbury Mountain State Park. Bring a picnic lunch and take a break at the summit from some stunning lunch views!
The Tote Road Loop Trail is great for birding, cross-country skiing, and hiking, depending on the time of year. Remember that the Bradbury Mountain State Park charges a daily use fee.
Moderate Hikes Near Portland, Maine
Burnt Meadow Mountain Trail
Image Source: Press Herald
- Location: Brownfield, Maine
- Trail Length: Approximately 3.5 miles
- Trail Type: Loop trail
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Estimated Time: 2 ½ hours
The Burnt Meadow Mountain Trail is not a day hike to miss! It boasts a variety of terrain, rock scrambles, beautiful wildflowers, and stunning panoramic views. The trailhead to Burnt Meadow Mountain is about an hour from downtown Portland toward New Hampshire. But it’s totally worth the drive!
The Burnt Meadows Mountain Trails are a very exposed trail system. Make sure to wear a sunhat and bring plenty of sunscreens! Start by hiking up the Blue Trai, also called the North Peak Trail, l to see a view of the White Mountain Range. On a clear day, you might even get lucky and glimpse Mount Washington, the highest point in the Northeast.
We recommend following the Yellow Trail or the Twin Brooks Trail from the top of Burnt Meadow Mountain, back down for even more gorgeous views and some excellent water features. It’s important to know that the Yellow Trail blazes aren’t clearly marked on the way down. So stay alert and pay close attention here!
Douglas Mountain Loop Trail
Image Source: Fit Maine
- Location: Douglas Mountain Preserve
- Trail Length: 1.8 miles
- Trail Type: Loop trail
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Estimated Time: 1 – 1 ½ hours
Douglas Mountain Preserve is about an hour’s drive from Portland, Maine. It features some short and sometimes challenging trails that take you to an observation tower summit with 360-degree views of the Maine Lake Region.
Along the Douglas Mountain Loop Trail, you’ll have stunning views of Sebago Lake and the Presidential Range. You might even see as far as Mount Washington on a clear day! As you climb through the dense and lush forests, you’ll be grateful for the shade on a hot summer day.
While the length of this trail is not very long, its steep grade makes it a moderately challenging hike. However, you’re in for a great workout! Because much of the trail is paved, it can be slippery when wet and icy during the winter and shoulder seasons.
Pleasant Mountain Summit via Ledges Trail
Image Source: AllTrails
- Location: Pleasant Mountain Preserve
- Trail Length: 3.3 miles
- Trail Type: Out-and-back trail
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Estimated Time: 2 ½ hours
The peak of Pleasant Mountain is situated in the mountains near the Lake District. The railhead for Ledges Trail is located about 50 miles from Portland, Maine. The Lake District boasts many scenic viewpoints and is very close to the White Mountains. These reasons alone are enough to make the drive for a gorgeous day hike!
The Ledges Trail is just over 3 miles and gains about 1,512 feet in elevation on the way up to the summit. It’s a lot of rocky terrain, making this day hike challenging and exciting.
At the rocky peak of Pleasant Mountain, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of mountains for miles. Bring along a picnic lunch and spend some time soaking in the beauty. You can also see out to a few of the lakes in the area.
Difficult or Multi-Day Hikes Near Portland, Maine
Helen Taylor, Knife Edge, Cathedral, and Chimney Pond Loop
Image Source: AllTrails
- Location: Baxter State Park
- Trail Length: Approximately 8 miles
- Trail Type: Loop trail
- Trail Difficulty: Difficult
- Estimated Time: 6 hours
The Helen Taylor, Knife Edge, Cathedral, and Chimney Pond Loop are challenging trails with stunning views along steep, loose rocks.
The Knife Edge Trail is very rugged and features many rock scrambles. And even more, the Chimney is nearly a technical climb. Many hikers say you need to use both hands and legs to climb up. With this in mind, this trail is geared towards very experienced hikers and climbers. However, you shouldn’t take this hike lightly, as several people have been seriously injured while traversing this trail.
The landscape along this hike is unlike anything you’ll find on the east coast. There’s also a good chance this day hike could be the most challenging. But all of your efforts will be rewarded with the incredible panoramic views of the surrounding rocky landscape.
Parking reservations are required at the significant trailheads throughout the Baxter State Park.
Mount Katahdin and Hamlin Peak
Image Source: New England
- Location: Baxter State Park
- Trail Length: Approximately 11 miles
- Trail Type: Loop trail
- Trail Difficulty: Difficult
- Estimated Time: 7-8 hours
Along the Mount Katahdin and Hamlin Peak Loop Trail, you’ll step foot on all of the peaks of the tallest mountain in Maine. You’ll also touch one terminus of the Appalachian Trail. The Hamlin Peak Loop Trail is the trail to see and feel Mount Katahdin in all of its glory!
This loop trail is a challenge, as you’ll gain more than 3,200 feet in about 11 miles. The trail is as rocky as it is steep, and it requires some hand and foot climbing in some places. However, all of your efforts will pay off.
Baxter Peak is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, and it’s also the highest point in Maine. You will be climbing three distinct mountains on this loop hike. Along the way, you’ll make a side trip to the beautiful water feature, Chimney Pond.
Precipice Loop Trail
Image Source: AllTrails
- Location: Acadia National Park
- Trail Length: Approximately 2 miles
- Trail Type: Loop trail
- Trail Difficulty: Difficult
- Estimated Time: 2 hours
The Precipice Trail is considered one of the steepest, most difficult, and best-known trails in Acadia National Park. The Precipice is part of the east side of Champlain Mountain. This trail is not for the faint at heart with a fully exposed and almost vertical 1,000-foot climb. Therefore, hiking or climbing experience is strongly recommended for the Precipice Loop Trail.
The Precipice Trail is officially a non-technical hike because iron rungs and ladders are placed throughout the trail to help hikers navigate the tricky terrain. Even so, you’ll need to be very careful and pay close attention to this day hike!
The challenge that the Precipice brings also rewards fulfillment. After completing this stunning, awe-inspiring loop trail, you’ll be proud of yourself!
Before You Go: Recommended Gear for Hiking near Portland, Maine
It’s essential to consider the weather and the time of year when deciding what to bring on your hike around Portland, Maine. So before you hit the trails, make sure you have these recommended items:
- Water: Plan to bring at least a liter of water. In the warmer months, you should plan to drink between ½-1 liter of water per hour of hiking.
- Snacks: Bring plenty of nutritious snacks on your hike. It’s essential to keep your body fueled if your hike takes longer than expected!
- Good hiking shoes: Make sure that your hiking footwear is durable and appropriate for terrain and time of year.
- Day pack: A durable day pack is vital for a great hiking experience. Look for a day pack with a capacity between 15-25 liters.
- Extra layers: Especially in the spring and fall, the temperature and weather can change very quickly. Make sure you have warmer layer options for sudden weather changes to be prepared for anything.
- Sun hat: The sun can be brutal on exposed hikes. Make sure to bring along a sun hat or cap to protect yourself all day.
- Sunscreen and bug spray: Waterproof sunscreen and bug spray can make a strenuous day hike much more bearable. Prevent painful sunburn and annoying bug bites by coming prepared with these items!
- Rain gear: It can rain a lot in New England, depending on the season! Be prepared for a surprise rain shower any time of year by bringing durable rain layers.
- First aid kit: You never know what could happen on the trail! So be prepared for injury or illness by packing a first aid kit.
- Map and compass: Even if you’re familiar with the hiking trail, it’s always good to bring a paper trail map and compass.
Portland, Maine Hiking FAQs
What’s the weather like surrounding Portland, Maine?
In Portland, Maine, the summers are usually warm and comfortable. The winters are snowy, windy, and cold. It’s typically partly cloudy year-round. Throughout the year, the temperature ranges from 16°F to 78°F. The average rainfall for Portland, Maine 49 inches per year, which is more than the United States’ average of 38 inches.
What are the best hikes within 2 hours of Portland, Maine?
There are plenty of scenic hiking trails within 2 hours of Portland:
- Back Cove Trail
- Eastern Promenade Trail
- Peaks Island Loop
- Pond Meadow Trail at the Gisland Farm Audubon Center
Where can I camp near Portland, Maine?
Whether you’re looking for a backcountry site or a full-on glamping experience, Portland has options!
- The Desert of Maine Campground is only a 20-minute drive from Portland, Maine.
- The Saco/Old Orchard Beach KOA is less than 20 miles from downtown Portland.
- Winslow Park and Campground are within a public park in nearby Freeport.
- Wolfe’s Neck Oceanfront Campground is family-friendly and just 20 minutes from Portland.
Whether you want to spend your time in the charming coastal town or climb the gorgeous mountains of New England, Portland has so much to offer. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your next hiking adventure in Portland, Maine!
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