Maine Biking
- Discover the understated beauty of Maine's coastline
- Pedal under towering firs and past pristine crashing surf at Acadia National Park
- Paddle and cruise on Penobscot Bay spotting cormorants, loons and bald eagles
- Seaside Camden, brimming with galleries, museums and shops
In Acadia National Park & Along Penobscot Bay
Maine’s beauty lies in its rawness. Fresh tart blueberries growing wild on the side of the road. Hills rising from the rocky shores of Camden. Winding roads built centuries ago that hug the shore connecting village to village. Morning mist on Penobscot Bay. But in between the ruggedness lies the real beauty of Maine. Even a delicacy like Maine lobster still involves shells and claws. It’s raw. It’s true. It’s Maine.
Days 1-2 Pedal under towering firs and past pristine crashing surf at Acadia National Park 
The arched bridges and quiet roads of Acadia’s carriage road system, a gift from philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr., make for lovely riding Ascend Cadillac Mountain, the highest point in the park and reputedly the first U.S. location to see the rising sun.
Day 3 Discover the understated beauty of Maine's coastline As you bike on Deer Isle, a true example of "downeast" Maine, check out its enormous pink granite boulders The island's numerous galleries featuring artworks of paint, wood and metal may tempt you off your bike.
Day 4 Kayak on Penobscot Bay, spotting cormorants, loons and bald eagles amid the archipelago’s 60-plus islands After a lobster lunch, enjoy a leisurely afternoon wine tasting, biking or shopping in the charming town of Camden.
Days 5-6 Camden, brimming with galleries, museums and shops, and often called Maine’s prettiest seaside village Ride to Rockland, where you can visit the Farnsworth Museum, known for its collection of Wyeth family paintings 
Enjoy a farewell dinner at our inn’s elegant French restaurant Lake Megunticook and the rolling countryside surrounding Camden invite a last scenic spin.
Guests Reviews About This Trip
The Backroads Maine trip? The best vacation ever! It couldn't be better. Fantastic views and routes, excellent accommodations, best food ever. Full of fun spots. We got a great group. When we thought it couldn't be better, you topped that.- Caracas, Venezuela
We had an awesome trip! It was so well organized, so much fun and really top-notch. We loved all of the special places we visited.- Highland Park, IL
Premiere Inns*
Bar Harbor Inn
Bar Harbor (2 nights) This Condé Nast Traveler editor's pick, a shingled oceanfront lodge on Frenchman Bay, offers private balconies. (pool, spa)
Pilgrim's Inn
Deer Isle (1 night) Built in 1793 and on the National Register of Historic Places, a Colonial inn with views of Penobscot Bay.
* Casual Inn
Camden Harbour Inn
Camden (2 nights) A Travel + Leisure favorite, this stylish 1800s inn offers exceptional hospitality and commanding views of the boat-dotted harbor. (spa)
Massachusetts: Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket Biking
Atlantic Islands & Beachside Villages
Classic:
Vermont & Quebec Biking New!
From the Northeast Kingdom to the Eastern Townships & Quebec City
Classic:
Singles+Solos:
This Trip Is Rated Level 1-3
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Road Bike Average | Mountain Bike Average* | Walk & Hike Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 10-15 miles | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 16-20 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 21-25 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 26-30 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 31+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
*Mountain bikes are used in locations where the best riding is on a combination of dirt and paved roads. View trip locations
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 17 miles
- 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 4 4 Route Options Available
- 14, 27, 34, 49 miles
- 300 - 2200 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 16, 23, 37 miles
- 500 - 1100 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Biking 16 Miles
- 500 feet elevation gain
- Kayaking 3 hours
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 16, 27, 39 miles
- 300 - 800 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 18 miles
- 300 feet elevation gain
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For 33 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Maine tour experts. See our award-winning USA biking tours, USA walking and hiking tours and USA multisport tours.
