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List of hiking trails in Maine facts for kids

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Maine is a beautiful U.S. state in the northeastern part of the United States. It's famous for its rocky coastline, thick forests, and stunning mountains. If you love spending time outdoors, Maine is the perfect place for you! It has many amazing hiking trails that let you explore its natural beauty. These trails are great for walking, running, or even biking, depending on the trail. Get ready to discover some of the best places to hike in Maine!

Discover Hiking Trails Across Maine's Counties

Maine is divided into different areas called counties. Each county offers unique trails for you to explore. Here's a list of some fantastic hiking spots, organized by county.

Androscoggin County

Androscoggin County has a mix of trails, from short walks to longer adventures. Many trails are found in parks and natural areas, perfect for a day out.

  • Androscoggin Riverlands State Park - Cross-country Ski Trails, 12 miles (19 km); Turner
  • Androscoggin Riverlands State Park - Hiking Trails, 23 miles (37 km); Turner
  • Androscoggin Riverlands State Park - Mountain Biking Trails, 9.5 miles (15.3 km); Turner
  • Androscoggin Riverlands State Park - Snowshoe Trails, 6.2 miles (10.0 km); Turner
  • Barker Mill Trail, 0.5 miles (0.80 km); Auburn
  • Beaver Park, 6.5 miles (10.5 km); Lisbon
  • Corn Shop Trail, 0.3 miles (0.48 km); Turner
  • Curtis Homestead, 2.8 miles (4.5 km); Leeds
  • David Rancourt River Preserve, 1 mile (1.6 km); Lewiston
  • Durham River Park, 0.3 miles (0.48 km); Durham
  • ELF Woods Trails, 0.6 miles (0.97 km); Auburn
  • Foundry Trail, 0.7 miles (1.1 km); Livermore Falls
  • Franklin Pasture Trail, 0.9 miles (1.4 km); Lewiston
  • Garcelon Bog, 0.4 miles (0.64 km); Lewiston
  • Lake Auburn Community Center, 4.8 miles (7.7 km); Auburn
  • Leavitt Area High School, 1.3 miles (2.1 km); Turner
  • Lewiston-Auburn Greenway Trails, 1.6 miles (2.6 km); Lewiston and Auburn
  • Minot Community Trails, 1.8 miles (2.9 km); Minot
  • Monument Hill, 1 mile (1.6 km); Leeds
  • Mount Apatite, 7.6 miles (12.2 km); Auburn
  • Mount David, 0.2 miles (0.32 km); Lewiston
  • Paper Mill Trail, 2.1 miles (3.4 km); Lisbon
  • Pettingill Park Trail, 1 mile (1.6 km); Auburn
  • Poland Spring Preservation Park, 4.1 miles (6.6 km); Poland
  • Poland Town Forest and Bragdon Hill, 6.5 miles (10.5 km); Poland
  • Railroad Trail, 1.8 miles (2.9 km); Poland
  • Range Ponds State Park, 2 miles (3.2 km); Poland
  • Range Ponds State Park - Mountain Bike Trails, 4.1 miles (6.6 km); Poland
  • Runaround Pond Recreation Area, 0.6 miles (0.97 km); Durham
  • Sherwood Forest Conservation Area, 2.4 miles (3.9 km); Auburn
  • Spring Road Trail, 2.1 miles (3.4 km); Auburn
  • Summer Street Park, 1.3 miles (2.1 km); Lisbon
  • Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary, 4.4 miles (7.1 km); Lewiston
  • Union Street Greenway, 0.6 miles (0.97 km); Auburn
  • Washburn-Norlands Living History Center, 0.7 miles (1.1 km); Livermore

Aroostook County

Aroostook County, often called "The County," is Maine's largest county. It has vast forests and open spaces, offering a different kind of hiking experience.

  • Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge-West Gate Trails; 5.0 miles (8.0 km); Caribou and Limestone
  • Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge--Visitor Center Trails; 5.7 miles (9.2 km); Caswell and Caribou
  • America's First Mile Trail, 1.0 mile (1.6 km); Fort Kent
  • Fort Kent Riverside Trails, 3.6 miles (5.8 km); Fort Kent
  • Hedgehog Mountain Trail, 0.7 miles (1.1 km); Winterville
  • Nordic Heritage Center--Single Track Network, 16.1 miles (25.9 km); Fort Fairfield and Presque Isle
  • Island Trail, 0.4 miles (0.64 km); Fort Kent
  • Snowy Mountain Trails, 2.0 miles (3.2 km); Stockholm
  • Split Cedar Trails, 11.3 miles (18.2 km); Van Buren

Cumberland County

Cumberland County is home to Maine's largest city, Portland, but it still has plenty of natural areas and trails. You can find coastal walks and forest paths here.

Franklin County

Franklin County is known for its mountains and lakes. It's a great place to find trails with beautiful views, especially if you enjoy a bit of a climb.

Hancock County

Hancock County includes parts of Acadia National Park, though these specific trails are outside the park. You can find coastal paths and forest trails here.

  • Bar Harbor Shore Path, 0.7 miles (1.1 km); Bar Harbor
  • Ellsworth Trail, 1.3 miles (2.1 km); Ellsworth
  • Kittredge Brook Forest, 2.7 miles (4.3 km); Bar Harbor
  • Old Pond Railway Trail, 2.9 miles (4.7 km); Hancock
  • Trenton Community Trail, 2.6 miles (4.2 km); Trenton

Kennebec County

Kennebec County is in central Maine and has many trails that wind through forests and along rivers. These are great for peaceful walks.

  • Allen-Whitney Memorial Forest, 7.6 miles (12.2 km); Manchester
  • Augusta Nature Education Center, 4.8 miles (7.7 km); Augusta
  • Davidson Nature Preserve, 1.2 miles (1.9 km); Vassalboro
  • Gannett Woods and Wyman Memorial Forest, 2.4 miles (3.9 km); Manchester and Readfield
  • Gott Pasture Preserve, 1.6 miles (2.6 km); Wayne
  • Holman Conservation Area, 2 miles (3.2 km); Litchfield
  • Jamies Pond, 5.9 miles (9.5 km); Farmingdale, Hallowell, and Manchester
  • Kennebec River Rail Trail, 6.5 miles (10.5 km); Augusta, Farmingdale, Gardiner, and Hallowell
  • Macdonald Conservation Area & Readfield Town Farm Forest, 3.4 miles (5.5 km); Readfield and Wayne
  • Old Narrow Gauge Rail Trail, 2.6 miles (4.2 km); Randolph
  • Perkins Woods, 0.5 miles (0.80 km); Wayne
  • Readfield Fairgrounds, 1.8 miles (2.9 km); Readfield
  • Small-Burnham Conservation Area, 2.4 miles (3.9 km); Litchfield
  • Smithfield Plantation, 1.6 miles (2.6 km); Litchfield
  • Torsey Pond Nature Preserve and Echo Lake Watershed Preserve, 1.8 miles (2.9 km); Readfield
  • Tyler Conservation Area, 0.9 miles (1.4 km); Readfield
  • University of Maine Augusta Fitness Trails, 2.2 miles (3.5 km); Augusta
  • Viles Arboretum, 5.0 miles (8.0 km); Augusta
  • Woodbury Nature Conservancy, 4.1 miles (6.6 km); Litchfield and Monmouth

Knox County

Knox County is on the coast and offers beautiful views of the ocean and islands. Its trails often combine forest walks with scenic overlooks.

Lincoln County

Lincoln County is another coastal county with a mix of forests and water views. You can find historic sites along some of its trails.

  • Pownalborough Court House Trails, 2.7 miles (4.3 km); Dresden

Oxford County

Oxford County is in western Maine, bordering New Hampshire. It's known for its lakes and mountains, providing diverse hiking options.

  • Jugtown Forest, 16.9 miles (27.2 km); Casco, Naples, and Otisfield
  • Maggie's Nature Park, 3.2 miles (5.1 km); Greenwood
  • Ordway Grove Trail, 0.6 miles (0.97 km); Norway
  • Packard Trail, 1.8 miles (2.9 km); Buckfield
  • Riverside and Viking Trails, 2 miles (3.2 km); Norway and Paris
  • Roberts Farm Preserve, 7.5 miles (12.1 km); Norway
  • Sebago Lake State Park - Campground, 5.8 miles (9.3 km); Naples
  • Sebago Lake State Park - Day Use Area, 4.5 miles (7.2 km); Casco
  • Shepard's Farm Family Preserve, 1.6 miles (2.6 km); Norway
  • Streaked Mountain Trail, 1.2 miles (1.9 km); Buckfield, Hebron, and Paris
  • Whitney Brook Trail, 1.7 miles (2.7 km); Canton
  • Witt Swamp Trail, 0.7 miles (1.1 km); Norway

Penobscot County

Penobscot County is in central Maine and is home to Bangor. It offers trails that explore riversides and wildlife areas.

Piscataquis County

Piscataquis County is known for its wild and remote areas, including parts of Baxter State Park (though not listed here). Its trails often lead to beautiful mountains and lakes.

Sagadahoc County

Sagadahoc County is on the coast and features trails along rivers and bays. These paths are great for spotting wildlife and enjoying water views.

  • Androscoggin Riverwalk, 1.3 miles (2.1 km); Brunswick and Topsham
  • Beatrice B. Baxter Memorial Forest, 4.1 miles (6.6 km); Topsham
  • Bradley Pond Farm Preserve, 1.8 miles (2.9 km); Topsham
  • Cathance River Nature Preserve, 5.6 miles (9.0 km); Topsham
  • Cathance River Trail, 2 miles (3.2 km); Topsham
  • Foreside Trails, 2.4 miles (3.9 km); Topsham
  • Merrymeeting Fields Preserve, 1 mile (1.6 km); Woolwich
  • Ravine Trails, 1.5 miles (2.4 km); Topsham
  • Swan Island, 8.3 miles (13.4 km); Perkins Township
  • Thorne Head Preserve, 3.5 miles (5.6 km); Bath
  • Transfer Station Trails, 3.9 miles (6.3 km); Topsham
  • Whiskeag Trail, 5 miles (8.0 km); Bath

Somerset County

Somerset County is in central Maine and has trails that lead through forests and near lakes. These are often quieter paths, perfect for a peaceful hike.

Waldo County

Waldo County is on the coast of Maine and offers trails with beautiful views of Penobscot Bay. You can explore state parks and conservation areas here.

Washington County

Washington County is the easternmost county in Maine, bordering Canada. It has rugged coastlines and vast wilderness, with trails offering unique views.

York County

York County is in southern Maine, bordering New Hampshire. It has a mix of coastal towns and inland forests, offering a variety of trails.

  • Alewive Woods Preserve, 2.4 miles (3.9 km); Kennebunk
  • Sanford-Springvale Rail Trail, 5.9 miles (9.5 km); Sanford

See also

  • List of hiking trails in the United States
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List of hiking trails in Maine Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.