Maine has some great choices for hiking and we love writing about them. We’ve also got some great beaches, which we ALSO love to write about! So, imagine the joy and glee we feel when realizing that there are some great hikes in Maine that actually LEAD to some pretty cool beaches. If you’re like us and don’t want to make a choice between hiking our hearts out or bedding down at the beach, consider these dual activities this summer!
- Shackford Head State Park, Eastport
Doug Kerr / Flickr
Doug Kerr / Flickr This state park is made up of Moose Island, which overlooks Cobscook Bay. You’ll find about three miles of trails ranging from easy to more advanced. The best part might be accessing the cliffs which provide views of Campobello Island.
- Petit Manan Wildlife Refuge, Steuben
usfwsnortheast / Flickr
usfwsnortheast / Flickr If you want a little taste of everything a Maine hike has to offer, this should be your destination! The 2,000-acre area provides an opportunity to explore beautiful spruce forests with some blueberry barrens, marshes, swamps, granite shores and cobble beaches thrown in!
- Ferry Beach State Park, Saco
reiver / Flickr
garylerude / Flickr If you’re a beach lover, Ferry Beach is the destination when you head to this 100-acre park. Check out the Tupelo Trail (pictured here) which is less than half a mile and will take you through a swamp of Tupelo, which is rarely found in this area.
- La Verna Preserve, Bristol
vladb / TripAdvisor
vladb / TripAdvisor La Verna Preserve, located in Bristol, includes nearly 3 miles of trails winding through over a hundred acres of forests, farmland and marshy areas. We think the best part of the hike is on and around the nearly 3,500 feet of rocky coast. This is, essentially, the beach part of this pretty hike.
- Sears Island, Searsport
varresa / Flickr
mdmarkus66 / Flickr The three trails here range from easy to moderate, but there are also two roads that allow for easy exploration by walking. The island overall is nearly 940-acres and has about 5 miles of coast to love!
- The Beehive Trail, Acadia National Park
jongela / Flickr
photo_fiend / Flickr We’re not going to sugar coat it…The Beehive Trail is a toughy! That’s why we prefer to focus on the beach that’s just nearby! Sand Beach is actually where you’ll start the hike, and we wouldn’t blame you if you chose to skip it. But, those who are up for the challenge should be prepared some extremely steep bits. There’s also another approach, which goes up the back of The Beehive, which is actually easier. But, we recommend just hitting the beach!
- Reid State Park, Georgetown
stephen o’grady / Flickr
Fyn Kynd / Flickr You probably already love the beach at Reid State Park, but did you know that there are also two lovely and flat trails to explore? The Ski Loop Trail is just over 2 miles long, while the Little River Trail is about 1.5 miles.
- Roque Bluffs State Park, Roque Bluffs
usfwsnortheast / Flickr
SeniorTravelME / TripAdvisor A trip to Roque Bluffs will reveal a perfect, half-mile crescent of sand overlooking Englishman Bay. There are about 6-miles of trails network inland from the shore. Take any of them to explore old orchards, fields and woods. You’ll find paths that hug the coastal areas of Great Cove and Pond Cove. To make things a little more “Maine,” you’ll also find Libby Lighthouse here. The still-working light was built in 1817 and is located just offshore.
- Cutler Coast Public Lands, Cutler
mere41782 / Flickr
criana / Flickr This might be one of our favorite areas to explore outdoors in Maine! The nearly ten miles of trails are a bit more difficult than some of the others on this list, but if you select just one you’re in for something less strenuous. Head off from the trailhead to the ocean using the Coastal Trail, which is nearly 3 miles round trip. Keep going and you’ll eventually end up at the beach at Black Point Cove.
And, psst, have you visit this one-of-a-kind store yet? It’s in Deer Isle and we think you’ll love it!
Doug Kerr / Flickr
This state park is made up of Moose Island, which overlooks Cobscook Bay. You’ll find about three miles of trails ranging from easy to more advanced. The best part might be accessing the cliffs which provide views of Campobello Island.
usfwsnortheast / Flickr
If you want a little taste of everything a Maine hike has to offer, this should be your destination! The 2,000-acre area provides an opportunity to explore beautiful spruce forests with some blueberry barrens, marshes, swamps, granite shores and cobble beaches thrown in!
reiver / Flickr
garylerude / Flickr
If you’re a beach lover, Ferry Beach is the destination when you head to this 100-acre park. Check out the Tupelo Trail (pictured here) which is less than half a mile and will take you through a swamp of Tupelo, which is rarely found in this area.
vladb / TripAdvisor
La Verna Preserve, located in Bristol, includes nearly 3 miles of trails winding through over a hundred acres of forests, farmland and marshy areas. We think the best part of the hike is on and around the nearly 3,500 feet of rocky coast. This is, essentially, the beach part of this pretty hike.
varresa / Flickr
mdmarkus66 / Flickr
The three trails here range from easy to moderate, but there are also two roads that allow for easy exploration by walking. The island overall is nearly 940-acres and has about 5 miles of coast to love!
jongela / Flickr
photo_fiend / Flickr
We’re not going to sugar coat it…The Beehive Trail is a toughy! That’s why we prefer to focus on the beach that’s just nearby! Sand Beach is actually where you’ll start the hike, and we wouldn’t blame you if you chose to skip it. But, those who are up for the challenge should be prepared some extremely steep bits. There’s also another approach, which goes up the back of The Beehive, which is actually easier. But, we recommend just hitting the beach!
stephen o’grady / Flickr
Fyn Kynd / Flickr
You probably already love the beach at Reid State Park, but did you know that there are also two lovely and flat trails to explore? The Ski Loop Trail is just over 2 miles long, while the Little River Trail is about 1.5 miles.
SeniorTravelME / TripAdvisor
A trip to Roque Bluffs will reveal a perfect, half-mile crescent of sand overlooking Englishman Bay. There are about 6-miles of trails network inland from the shore. Take any of them to explore old orchards, fields and woods. You’ll find paths that hug the coastal areas of Great Cove and Pond Cove. To make things a little more “Maine,” you’ll also find Libby Lighthouse here. The still-working light was built in 1817 and is located just offshore.
mere41782 / Flickr
criana / Flickr
This might be one of our favorite areas to explore outdoors in Maine! The nearly ten miles of trails are a bit more difficult than some of the others on this list, but if you select just one you’re in for something less strenuous. Head off from the trailhead to the ocean using the Coastal Trail, which is nearly 3 miles round trip. Keep going and you’ll eventually end up at the beach at Black Point Cove.
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