Hiking

Know before you head out

Before setting out on any hike, check with Maine Trail Finder or guidebooks about a hike’s difficulty ratings, descriptions, and uses.
Observe the seasons. Trail conditions vary with each season.
Never hike alone; always tell your friends and family where you are going and when you plan to return and keep them updated on your location if possible.
Each person should carry one liter of water for every two hours of hiking time. Keep hydrated, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
Bring plenty of high-energy snacks that will help keep your energy up back to your car.
Practice Leave No Trace principles on the trails and respect nature and private lands and Look Out for ME.

Explore endless miles of trails

With nearly 100 trails spread throughout the region, anyone can find one that suits their skill level and ambition. There are even several ADA accessible trails, including Wes Baker Trails at Robbins Hill which offers picnic tables and striking views of the western mountain ranges.

MAINE TRAIL FINDER

#	Trail Name	County	Town/Location	Difficulty	Approx. Length	Source	Website
1	Appalachian Trail (Kennebec/Bigelow Districts)	Kennebec/Somerset	Caratunk, The Forks & north	Varies (Easy-Strenuous)	Long-distance (267 mi in ME)	Appalachian Trail Conservancy	View Trail
2	Vaughan Woods & Historic Homestead	Kennebec	Hallowell	Easy-Moderate	~3 miles	Vaughan Woods & Historic Homestead	View Trail
3	Moxie Falls	Somerset	The Forks	Easy	~2 miles RT	Maine Trail Finder	View Trail
4	Kennebec River Rail Trail	Kennebec	Augusta to Gardiner	Easy	6.5 miles	Kennebec River Rail Trail (KRRT)	View Trail
5	Lake George Regional Park	Kennebec/Somerset	Skowhegan & Canaan	Easy-Moderate	Multiple loops	Maine Trail Finder	View Trail
6	Viles Arboretum	Kennebec	Augusta	Easy	5-6 miles of trails	Viles Arboretum	View Trail
7	Weston Woods and Waters Trail	Somerset	Madison	Easy	~3-5 miles of trails	Maine by Foot (trail guide)	View Trail
8	Messalonskee Stream Trail	Kennebec	Oakland/Waterville area	Easy	3.3 miles	AllTrails	View Trail
9	Rotary Centennial Trail	Kennebec	Benton/Winslow	Easy	1.5 miles	Kennebec Messalonskee Trails	View Trail
10	French Mountain Trail	Kennebec	Rome (Belgrade Lakes)	Easy-Moderate	~1.5 miles	Maine Trail Finder	View Trail
11	Robbins Hill - Wes Baker Trail	Somerset	Solon	Easy (ADA accessible)	~1 mile of loops	Maine Trail Finder	View Trail
12	Mount Pisgah Conservation Area	Kennebec	Winthrop	Moderate	~2-4 miles (Tower/Blueberry/Ledges)	Kennebec Land Trust	View Trail
13	Quarry Road Trails	Kennebec	Waterville	Easy-Moderate	5+ miles singletrack	Quarry Road Trails	View Trail
14	Kennebec Messalonskee Trails	Kennebec	Waterville/Winslow/Benton area	Easy	Multiple connected trails	AllTrails	View Trail
15	Williams Mountain Trail	Somerset	Jackman	Moderate	2.8 miles RT	Maine Trail Finder	View Trail
16	Cold Stream Falls	Somerset	West Forks	Easy	2.4 miles RT	Maine Trail Finder	View Trail
17	Mosquito Mountain Trail	Somerset	The Forks	Moderate	~1.5-2.9 miles	Northern Outdoors	View Trail
18	Pleasant Pond Mountain	Somerset	Caratunk	Moderate-Strenuous	3.2 miles RT	Appalachian Trail Conservancy	View Trail

No trails match your search.

Showing 18 trails

Get Off the Beaten Path

Walking and hiking are activities that can be enjoyed by almost everyone no matter their age or skill level.

Take a leisurely stroll along one of the region’s in-town trails. Hike to a waterfall or mountain summit for nearly endless vistas across our lakes and hills. Serious hikers should take on our challenging section of the storied Appalachian Trail—which includes the only guided water crossing from here to Georgia.

Family-Friendly Hikes

Hiking is a great way for families to get outdoors and experience much of what makes Maine’s Kennebec Valley special.

Let’s start with an easy one that delivers big. The trail to Moxie Falls is less than a mile long and wide, and easy. With a bit of up-and-down and stairs to get to the viewing areas, this hike is for kids and those with minor mobility issues.

Nicknamed “Hobbitland” by locals due to its stunning beauty and natural wonder, Vaughan Woods is a popular trail system in the heart of historic Hallowell. Classic stone bridges, picturesque waterfalls, and a wild meadow make these some of Maine’s most unique walking trails.

Fairfield’s Good Will-Hinckley wooded trails offer walks to explore the Maine forest habitat, bird watching, and wetland creatures. The trails are dotted with local fieldstone monuments and trailheads.

“On the Trail”

Explore three different sections of the Appalachian Trail as it winds through Maine. Day two includes a hike to Pierce Pond in Maine’s Kennebec Valley, a whitewater rafting trip, and an ATV ride at Northern Outdoors in The Forks.