Off the Beaten Path – Uncrowded Places to Hike, Bike, and Walk

Do you ever go on vacation and think, “Gee, I wish more people were here”? For anyone who wants a wonderful, late-summer escape without the crowds, MidCoast Maine offers some very special places well off the beaten path. Think remote shoreline trails, quiet mountain vistas, and cycling routes far from busy roads. Want to discover them for yourself? Here are some of our favorite escapes you can easily drive to or ride a ferry to.

 

 

Pemaquid Peninsula – Bristol

Photo Credit: Topside Inn, Boothbay Harbor

Not far from the well-known town of Boothbay is one of the MidCoast’s most serene coastlines. The rugged and rocky Pemaquid peninsula extends far out to the ocean and will reward you with a quiet, coastal escape. At the very tip of the peninsula is Pemaquid Point Lighthouse and park. This iconic lighthouse was the first to appear on American currency and you’ll understand why when you visit. The lighthouse juts out above the Gulf of Maine on a stunning, rocky shoreline with crashing waves. Not far from the lighthouse is Pemaquid Beach in New Harbor. A quiet family retreat, the beach is known for its clear water and clean sand. You can rent umbrellas and beach chairs for a lazy afternoon stay.

 

 

Round the Mountain Trail – Hope

Map Credit: Meg Barclay

For many years, conservation groups have been working to extend the little used Round the Mountain Trail that passes by Ragged and Bald Mountains. Barely two years ago, public access to the trail was increased with the opening of a new trailhead in the Town of Hope. The new section of trail has a wide, 6-ft graded surface that you can easily, walk, run, or bike. The out-and-back trail winds through conserved forests and brooks for just over five miles. If you want to go further, you can connect to older trails that continue alongside Ragged Mountain and descend into the Camden Snowbowl.

 

Lane’s Island Preserve – Vinalhaven Island

Seemingly in the middle of nowhere is one of Maine’s most beautiful coastal walks. Often deserted, the 45-acre preserve covers about two-thirds of Lane’s Island which is connected to Vinalhaven by a causeway. Easy-to-walk trails crisscross the preserve and will treat you to coastal shrub lands and ragged, rocky shorelines. Among the shorebirds to watch, you may be fortunate to see a few Atlantic Puffins that occasionally visit the area. Travel to Vinalhaven takes a little bit of planning for the ferry ride from Rockland, but it can be one of the most memorable day trips you’ll experience. If you have time to stay longer, there’s plenty to explore. And for cyclists, the island has almost 50 miles of paved roads.

 

Moose Point State Park – Searsport

Photo Credit: Maine Bureau of Parks & Lands

Moose Point is a quiet scenic park that many people don’t know about. You can spend a day exploring tidal pools, walking on the park’s trails, or simply enjoying the Penobscot Bay panorama. Oceanside picnic tables, grills, a playground and a gazebo make the park a great place for lunch. This quaint, little trail network has three very easy trails. There is a chance to view a variety of marine life including seals, porpoises, and birds such as double-crested cormorants, loons, sea ducks, bald eagles, and ospreys. Tidal pools, formed by retreating water at low tide, hold diverse marine organisms, and exploring them is a great learning activity for children and adults alike.

 

 

Fat Tire Biking at Hidden Valley Nature Center – Jefferson

Hidden Valley is 1,000 acres of protected land, with a wide variety of habitat, including over a mile of shorefront on Little Dyer Pond. An extensive network of trails, managed by the Midcoast Converancy, offers access to quiet bogs, ponds, mixed forests, and unique habitats. Over 30 miles of different trails include several easy trails with gravel and crushed stone. Other moderate to advanced trails are on dirt and forest floors. Fat Tire mountain biking is a great way to explore nearly all of the trails. Bring your own bikes or rent one on weekends at the Center. Learn more at midcoastconservancy.org.

 

 

Oven’s Mouth Preserve – Boothbay Peninsula

Photo Credit: Boothbay Region Land Trust

Oven’s Mouth is a narrow passage that connects the Sheepscot River to an extensive, scenic tidal basin. A massive tidal flow takes place each day where currents can reach five knots. Over five miles of recreational hiking trails on two small peninsulas will lead you to either side of the narrows. A 93-foot pedestrian footbridge built by the Boothbay Region Land Trust connects both sides of the preserve and is an ideal spot to watch the water flow in and out of the cove. Easy to moderate walking will treat you to river and marsh views, quiet woods, and the thrill of seeing eagles and osprey.

 

 

Monhegan Island – Monhegan

Photo Credit: Anna Gretta

Visiting Monhegan Island means seriously getting off the beaten path. This small island is accessible only by boat and there are no cars or paved roads. To visit the island, you can take a relaxing boat ride from several different towns. Once there, it’s easy to explore the village and island before returning the same day because the island is only one square mile. To stay overnight you need to make reservations in advance at one of the small inns. For more than 150 years, artists have been inspired by the dramatic cliffs, distant ocean views, and the quiet calm in the air. It takes time to reach Monhegan which is part of the reason why summer crowds won’t be a problem. Once you step onto the island, you’ll feel like you’re stepping into the past.

 

 

Bonyun Preserve – Westport Island

Photo Credit: Archie Bonyun

Sweeping river views, old-growth woods, and quiet coves are why this lesser-known trail attracts hikers seeking solitude. Thomas Point overlooks Knubble Bay and invites you to sit for hours to take in the sounds of wildlife and lapping water on the rocks. The Bonyun Preserve is owned and maintained by the Kennebec Estuary Land Fund. The two-mile trail loop offers easy to moderate walking. For birders, the area is adjacent to the Sasanoa River Estuary which is a nationally-recognized habitat for birds and a section of the east coast flyway.