The BEST Five Hiking Trails Near Camden, ME (and one bonus trail)!
In this article, we’ll share our 5 favorite hiking trails in Camden, Maine, along with important information like hours of operations, the best times to visit, which trails are beginner-friendly, and more! Whether you are an avid hiker, a beginner, or even a curious first-timer, hiking near Camden Maine gives you the opportunity to explore the Mid-coast’s natural beauty and magnificent views, while being steps away from the beautiful Penobscot Bay and Camden Harbor.
MT. BATTIE TRAILHEAD @ Camden Hills State Park
View of Mt. Battie from Windward House Backyard
View of Camden from top of Mt. Battie
Our Camden Maine bed and breakfast has the optimal location for exploring all the hiking Camden has to offer. 20 scenic Camden hikes are located in Camden Hills State Park, alone, which happens to be right in Windward House’s backyard. If you walk up the back entrance of our Camden Me bed and breakfast, the road will turn into a dirt path that leads into the park, specifically the Mt Battie Trailhead. In my opinion, this should be the “must hike” trail of your hiking in Camden Maine experience. By far, the best views of Camden Maine, its Harbor, and the Penobscot Bay are located at the top of Mt. Battie. Poet, Edna St. Vincent Millay, was so inspired here that she wrote her famous poem “Renascence”.
Mt. Battie Clubhouse - Photo courtesy of Walsh History Center - Camden Public Library
The Mt. Battie trailhead is one of the more interesting, moderate Camden Maine hiking trails, because of its elevation. The hike itself is only .5 mile, but the elevation increases over 600ft, so essentially you are hiking steeply upward. At its 800ft summit, you will find Memorial Tower, Maine’s most well-known World War I memorial. This 26ft stone tower with a circular staircase was built in 1921 in honor of the men and women of Camden who took part in the war effort. The tower sits on the site of the old Mt Battie Club House, and stones from the old structure were repurposed to build this memorial.
Menu boards, with all of the Penobscot Bay’s islands, are available so you can know which island you are looking at from this spectacular vantage point. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Cadillac Mountain and Acadia National Park. Allow yourself roughly 50 mins in each direction and maybe some extra time to snap some photos along the way. Do not let the moderate rating scare you away. If the hike up is too steep for your liking, you can always take the back way out of the park and use the auto road which is a paved exit, leaving you on Coastal Route 1.
There is a public sidewalk and this 1.5-mile stroll along Rt 1 takes you through the grandeur of shipbuilders homes of yesteryear, allowing you the opportunity to view the beautiful architecture of the historical district of Camden, leading right back to our Camden ME B&B.
Megunticook Street - walk from our backyard at Windward House to Mt. Battie Trailhead
Welcome to Camden sign on High Street in the Historic District
Camden Hills State Park is open daily, from 9 AM to Sunset, unless otherwise posted at the gate. If you enter the park by foot from the Mt Battie Trailhead, you can access the park free and sneak in early for a breathtaking sunrise over the beautiful Penobscot Bay. Although hiking this trail is beautiful at all times of the year, during the fall and colder winter months, be sure to dress accordingly and use the proper equipment for hiking upward on snow and ice. Rental equipment is always available at Maine Sport Outfitters.
For more information on Mt. Battie, head on over to Alltrails and Summit Post!
MAIDEN’S CLIFF TRAILHEAD
Maiden’s Cliff is another unique Camden Maine hiking adventure. This easy hiking trail is slightly longer than 1 mile and should take roughly 1.5 hrs. The beginning of this trail is moderately steep, with an elevation gain of 50ft. After the first .5 mile, the trail levels out and as you begin to get glimpses of the lake and the surrounding mountain. At the top of the trail, there is a large rock formation with panoramic views of the Penobscot Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Megunticook Lake and its series of inlets, as well as the surrounding countryside including Ragged Mountain. In addition to all of this natural beauty, Maiden’s Cliff is one of the most popular trails for hiking in Camden Maine, because of its local lore, and the giant white cross that stands proudly on top of the mountain guarding all of these breathtaking views. Make sure to leave some time to snap some photographs of the scenery and of course, to take a selfie with the giant cross.
Maiden’s Cliff Cross erected in memory of Eleanor French
Giant cross? Let me explain. Now it is time to introduce you to young Eleanor French. Back in 1864, the French family-owned a decent amount of land in the area now known as Lincolnville Beach. On May 6th of that year, young Eleanor and her siblings gathered for a picnic on the top of Maiden’s Cliff. A sudden gust of wind blew Eleanor’s bonnet off her head, and not realizing how close to the edge she was, she plummeted 300 ft. Although she survived through the night, she died of internal injuries the following day. Years later a wealthy tourist, inventor Joseph B. Stearns, wanted to ensure young Eleanor’s memory would never be forgotten, so he paid to have the cross erected in her honor. For over a century, this cross has remained a beacon for the memory of a young fallen girl, and an inspiration to get out and experience the uniqueness of hiking near Camden Maine.
Enjoy a relaxing swim in Megunticook Lake at Barrett Cove Beac;h across from Maiden’s Cliff trailhead
There is a parking lot available off of Route 52, roughly 2.5 miles north of the Camden Public Library and Windward House. In the summer and fall, the lot tends to fill up pretty quickly. Bikes and other equipment can be rented locally at Maine Sport Outfitters. An added bonus of hiking this trail in the warmer weather is that that the parking area is right across from Barret Cove Beach, so you can jump into Lake Megunticook for a swim and to cool off after exploring the local legend of this Camden Maine hiking trail.
*Note – bonnets not recommended during windy or gusty weather.
For more information on Maiden’s Cliff, head on over to Maine Trail Finder and Alltrails!
View of Penobscot Bay from Beech Hill Preserve
When looking for more great adventures, Beech Hill Preserve is another perfect option. This 2.2-mile hike is perfect for those looking to get lost in nature for a small amount of time. Allow yourself roughly 2 hours to explore the only bald hilltop in the area, with breathtaking views, at its 400ft summit, of the entire Penobscot Bay, Chickawaukie Pond, Camden Hills, and the St. George peninsula.
Wooded trail leading up Beech Hill Preserve
Beech Nut Hut
This trail, located in the 295-acre preserve, can be broken up into two distinct parts. The first is a wooded hiking trail that brings you from the Beech Hill Preserve parking area to a dirt road entrance of the wild organic blueberry fields.
Here, the dirt road (only open to foot traffic) winds up the hilltop to the “Beech Nut”, a 1913 Norwegian sod-roofed hut at the summit of the hill. There are numerous events that take place here during the summer season such as concerts, lectures, and an annual blueberry event. So, if looking to escape from the crowds, be sure to check the schedule of events before heading out on this wonderful, hiking trail near Camden Maine.
Added bonus – When hiking during blueberry season, anything you can reach from the path is fair game. Enjoy what you can but remember that you are not permitted to exit the path and enter the blueberry fields.
For more information on Beech Hill Preserve, visit Maine Trail Finder, Rockport Maine and Trails websites!
BEAUCHAMP POINT
Beauchamp Point is another great option when hiking near Camden Maine. Located 2.5 miles from Windward House, this hidden gem is intentionally not spoken about by the locals. There is no signage announcing you are at Beauchamp Point, but if you see this sign, you made it. Although parking at the trail is not available, you can park near the Rockport Marine Harbor. Beauchamp Point will take you through a 1.4-mile preserve with trails that are quite different from most of the others in this area. Instead of hiking through wooded trails with scenic views, Beauchamp’s gravel and rocky shores allow you to hike right along with the tall trees and sea cliffs of Rockport’s shore with views of Indian Island and its lighthouse. Hiking during the warmer months gives you the opportunity to see over 20 different types of wildflowers, including sea lavender. Another added bonus during the warmer months is observing the coastal wildlife along this trail. Osprey are often found hanging around this area and your chance of catching harbor seals fooling around in the harbor is more commonplace. If you get the chance to hike this trail in the early spring, you will get to see and hear melting snow trickling down the mountainside!
Taking a hike at Beauchamp on a warm spring day listening to the melting snow trickling down the mountainside!
Looking to explore further, follow along the trail and loop around to Calderwood Lane toward Vesper Hill Children’s Chapel, which sits on the site of the old Tamarack Lodge, which burned down in 1954.
Vesper Hill Chapel
Inside Vesper Hill Chapel overlooking Penobscot Bay
The chapel is a non-denominational, open outdoor chapel that is perfect for weddings or events, or just a perfect place to relax, reflect, meditate, paint, draw or read. It is open to the public mid-April through October. The combination of the views of the ocean and the peace and tranquility here at this chapel make this one of my favorite spots. And it’s just a short distance from our Camden Maine bed and breakfast.
GEORGE HIGHLAND PATH TRAILHEAD, RAGGED MOUNTAIN
So, this trailhead is actually part of a much larger 50-mile network of low-impact foothills that was built and maintained by the Georges River Land Trust. Most of the trails are on privately owned land and the owners have agreed through a handshake agreement to allow its use to connect the system. Often described as a “hikers hiking path” this moderate to advanced series of trails offer a true back-country experience, minutes from the busy summer towns of the mid-coast.
The Ragged Mountain Trails located in Camden and Rockport are steep and strenuous. But, the views at its 1200ft summit alone are worth the effort. The western views across the Georges River watershed sprawl all the way to the White Mountains in New Hampshire, with the Penobscot Bay and its islands to the east. In the distance, you can see all the way to the Acadian and Downeast mountain ranges. To access this trail from our Camden Maine Bed and Breakfast, continue 2 miles north after the intersection of Route 17 and 90 in West Rockport. There is a small parking area, which tends to fill pretty quickly in high trafficked seasons.
Matt and Barney Striking a Pose!
Creek Running Through the Woods
Please remember to respect and enjoy these Camden Maine hiking trails, as most are located on privately owned property. You can expect the conditions to include tree roots, rocks to scramble over and plenty of wildlife.
And just a quick note about ticks. Don’t be fooled by the snow on the ground in our pictures. We took this hike in early spring on a warm day. We didn’t think ticks would be a problem. A few days later we found a tick on Barney which eventually caused him to get very sick. Ticks are no joke so always take precautions. Check out some guidelines here on how to protect yourself!
For more information on George Highland trail, visit Georges River Organization!
BREAKWATER LIGHTHOUSE
Breakwater Jetty
This bonus hike, also a “must-see” adventure, isn’t even a hike at all. Just shy of one mile, the breakwater lighthouse is located at the end of a man-made walkway made of a series of granite rocks, which jet out essentially to the middle of Rockland Harbor. You need to watch your step and skip over the breaks in the stone to reach the Breakwater lighthouse that sits prominently in the center of the Harbor. Located along the coast, by the Samoset Resort, just 15 minutes south of Windward House on Rt 1, there is a small private parking area that leads to the beach path that will take you to the jetty. During the height of the busy season, expect delays to find parking, but persevere, as this is a once in a lifetime view with great photo opportunities of the Harbor, lobster boats, schooners, and windjammers. Occasionally you can see wildlife, such as harbor seals playing in the surf.
Breakwater Lighthouse
Lobster Boat Heading back to the Harbor
Note: Make sure you know the weather conditions before exploring the lighthouse and avoid this attraction when storms are in the forecast. Because of the length and flatness of this stone pathway, you do not want to be the tallest thing caught out there during lightning.
Now Get Out and Hike in Camden, ME!!
As with all outdoor Maine wilderness experiences, be mindful of the seasons and conditions when hiking and exploring the beautiful state. Ticks are a big concern during all seasons outside winter, but understanding what to look for and how to keep yourself safe is something we can help you with, when staying at a Maine bed and breakfast, such as Windward House. We will provide you with on-sight innkeepers who, live and work in our small coastal town and provide you with tips of the trade, precautions and itinerary ideas throughout your stay. After all, we want you to also fall in love with Camden as much as we did when we decided to move here to pursue our dreams.
Be sure to check out our website to see everything we have to offer. Diner-style breakfasts, fire pit, high-count bed sheets, 24-hour guest pantry are just some of the highlights you will enjoy! When you are ready to make a reservation, make sure to book direct on our website in order to save! And as always, sign up for our blog so you can get updates!
See you on the trails!
Dan and Matt