Maine Walking & Hiking
- The understated beauty of Maine's coastline
- Paddle calm waters past tall-masted schooners and stately homes
- Discover old fishing villages forgotten by time
- Hike up Cadillac Mountain, the highest point along the North Atlantic Seaboard
- Seaside Camden, brimming with galleries, museums and shops
In Acadia National Park & Along Penobscot Bay
The authenticity of Maine. Lobster boats. Rocky untrammeled shores. Calloused hands offering friendly waves. The land and people here are rugged and intriguing. Encounter the real life of a lobsterman in Camden, a picturesque fishing village famed for its historic architecture. Travel like the locals do, aboard the "mail boat" to Isle au Haut. Ascend Cadillac Mountain for million-dollar views. Amble through deep pine forests. And stroll Bar Harbor - inviting, proud and unmistakably Maine.
Days 1-2 Seaside Camden, brimming with galleries, museums and shops Hike up Mount Battie and admire the same panorama of Camden Harbor that inspired poet Edna St. Vincent Millay 
An old carriage road leads you inland to Maiden Cliffs, where you'll get dazzling vistas of Lake Megunticook and the countryside A cooking demo at a local winery caps off our time in Camden.
Days 3-4 Old fishing villages forgotten by time Arrive on Isle au Haut by mail boat and hike along the craggy shoreline, across marshes or up ridges serving up gorgeous views As you explore Deer Isle, dotted with enormous pink boulders, try to spot seals, whales, ospreys and eagles The secluded waters off Deer Isle create fantastic conditions for our sea kayaking adventure Visit a potter's cozy studio to see creations hot off the wheel.
Days 5-6 Acadia National Park is at your doorstep Gorham Mountain offers vistas of Sand Beach, Beehive Mountain, Otter Cliffs and the Cranberry Isles Stride beneath towering firs and past crashing surf in Acadia National Park Got your camera ready? Cadillac Mountain, the North Atlantic Seaboard's highest point, affords views in every direction.
Guests Reviews About This Trip
Walking mid-coastal Maine forces you to slow down and appreciate the subtle things in life. When I think of Maine, I think of the colors; the deep green of the forests, the intense blues of the lakes and ocean, the orange/red of baked lobster and the soulful gray of the granite. The "local" color can't be beat either. Our friendly innkeepers at Pilgrim Inn and gregarious kayak instructors on Lake Megunticook are just a few of the folks you will meet while exploring this gem of a coastline.- Regional Manager, Maine
Premiere Inns*
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)
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
Bar Harbor Inn & Spa
Bar Harbor (2 nights) This Condé Nast Traveler editor's pick, a shingled oceanfront lodge on Frenchman Bay, offers private balconies. (pool, spa)
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Singles+Solos:
This Trip Is Rated Level 2-4
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
- 2.3 miles
- 800 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 4.9, 6.4, 10.3 miles
- 800 - 1200 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 2 Several Options Available
- 4 - 6 miles
- 200 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 2.6 miles
- 200 feet elevation gain
- Kayaking 3 hours
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 4, 6, 9 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 to 2 3 Route Options Available
- 1. 2, 2.2, 4.4 miles
- 100 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Terrain Description
Village pathways, woodland and farmland trails, coastal paths.More Recommended Trips
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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 walking tours and hiking tours, USA biking tours and USA multisport tours.
