Hiking Trails
The Western Lakes and Mountains region is a hiker's playground. Intermediate and expert hikers come back again and again, in all four seasons, to explore Maine's portion of the White Mountains while beginner hikers enjoy the smaller peaks like Pleasant and Douglas.


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You'll find features, columns, "Need to Know" details, photos and audio and video extras from MaineToday.com and the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. You can also add your own trail reviews.

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Western Lakes & Mountains region trails
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Includes locations in Sebago, Naples, Bridgton, Fryeburg, Rangeley and more.
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Bald Mountain Trail Mexico 1 mile adv. beginner
The one-mile trail to the summit gains 1,000 feet in elevation and takes about an hour one way.
photo 
Bald Pate Mountain Sebago 2-4 adv. beginner
This is an interesting mountain with a double peak.
Bald Pate Preserve Bridgton 2-4 miles beginner
Hiking with Kids: Family enjoys fall foliage on the mountain.
outdoors with children video slideshow 
Baldpate Mountain Newry 4 miles intermediate
With expanses of windswept open rock ledges plus an unusual alpine bog with a variety of rare plants, Baldpate ranks among western Maine's tip-top experiences.
Bear Mountain Hartford 2-4 intermediate
This two-mile round trip hike offers nice views of Bear Pond below and a series of low mountains in the distance.
Bemis Mountain Mexico 14 advanced
The four peaks of the Bemis Range provide miles of good hiking and excellent views.
Bigelow Preserve, Fire Warden's Trail Carrabassett Valley 5 miles advanced
There are several options here for day trips or overnights to explore two 4,000 footers.
Black Mountain, Sumner Sumner 3 miles advanced
This three-mile round-trip hike starts out on an old woods road leading into a forest of beech, maple and birch.
Burnt Meadow Mountains Brownfield several miles intermediate
Hiking with kids: The kids, and their parents, got quite a workout on this hike.
outdoors with children slideshow audio user ratings 
Burnt Mountain Carrabassett Valley 9 intermediate
In Sugarloaf`s shadow, Burnt Mountain is a gem.
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Caribou Loop Trail Gilead 6.3 miles intermediate
This hike lets you experience the White Mountains without the crowds.
Douglas Mountain Sebago 0.25 miles adv. beginner
The mountain's two trails are accessible for hikers of most abilities, and the steep hike to the top is only a quarter of a mile.
Douglas Mountain, Woods Trail Sebago 0.25 miles adv. beginner
Hiking with kids: a short steep hike lets the kids see great views and make choices too.
outdoors with children photo slideshow 
Eyebrow Trail Newry 3 miles advanced
A more challenging hike for the kids at Grafton Notch State Park.
outdoors with children photo video 
Firewarden's Trail: West Kennebago Mountain Rangeley 4.2 intermediate
The Firewarden's Trail is a 4.2-mile round-trip hike that gains about 1,900 feet in elevation en route to the 3,705-foot peak.
Grafton Loop Trail Newry 21 miles advanced
Hikers have a new way to cross the rough, rocky terrain across the Mahoosucs.
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Grafton Loop Trail Newry 21 advanced
The Grafton Loop Trail is a demanding weekend hike that traverses some very scenic backcountry along the 21-mile path through the mountains of far western Maine.
Hurricane Mountain Fryeburg 1.5 intermediate
Looking for a fun day this weekend that combines a wild auto ride and an easy but rewarding hike?
photo 
Jockey Cap Fryeburg 0.25 miles beginner
Hiking with kids: If don't have a lot of time, or don't want to spend too much time outside as the weather grows colder, this is the trail for you.
outdoors with children slideshow audio 
Ledges Trail Sebago 1/4 mile adv. beginner
A short, family-friendly hike on Douglas Mountain.
outdoors with children slideshow 
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Mount Cutler Hiram under a mile intermediate
Hiking with Kids: if you decide to head out to Mount Cutler you should know you're not going to find a lot of trail markers.
outdoors with children video slideshow audio 
Mount Tire'm Waterford 2 intermediate
Allow a leisurely one and a half hours, more if you decide to linger on any of the numerous scenic ledges on Mount Tire'm.
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Mount Tire'm Waterford varies intermediate
A hike around trails in Oxford County.
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Mount Zircon Peru 6 intermediate
Mount Zircon rewards hikers with exceptional views in every direction from its craggy alpine summit at 2,240 feet.
Oxford Hills Paris various beginner
The Oxford Hills are often overlooked in favor of the higher mountains but hikers willing to explore a little off the beaten path will find plenty to their liking here without a big effort.
Peary Mountain Brownfield 2-4 adv. beginner
There's a beautiful spot on the trail overlooking the Saco River Valley with views of the White Mountains.
Pleasant Mountain Denmark 4 adv. beginner
Walk long ridge atop Pleasant Mountain
Pleasant Mountain, Bald Peak Trail Denmark 2.5 miles intermediate
This short but steep trail takes you up on to the ridge line and gives you choices for a descent.
Pleasant Mountain, Firewarden's Trail Denmark 2.5 miles intermediate
An old jeep road takes you to the summit of this mountain that doubles as a ski area.
Poland Spring Preservation Park Poland 4 miles beginner
Poland Spring Preservation Park offers hiking and history.
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Poland Springs Preservation Park Poland 4 beginner
The Poland Spring Preservation Park is a great place to enjoy the fall season.
outdoors with children video slideshow 
Rattlesnake Mountain Raymond 2-4 adv. beginner
Hiking with Kids: Rattlesnake Mountain rewarded the Almeida family with a buried treasure at the end.
outdoors with children video panorama slideshow 
Rumford Whitecap Rumford 4 intermediate
It's a tremendous little mountain (about 2,000 feet high) that offers big time views from its long summit ridgeline.
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Rumford Whitecap Mountain Rumford 4 intermediate
The mountain offers an enjoyable hike during a mild winter day.
Sabattus Mountain Lovell 2 intermediate
Allow about two hours to make the loop and enjoy the spectacular summit cliffs.
photo 
Singepole Ridge Paris 1.5 beginner
Singepole Ridge is an interesting little mountain with a pretty quarry and fine views along its summit ridge.
Speckled Mountain Peru 5 intermediate
The hike to Speckled Mountain along the dramatic cliffs of Bald makes it well worth the extra effort.
Speckled Mountain, Bickford Brook Trail Gilead 7 miles intermediate
Taking the Bickford Brook Trail then the glorious Blueberry Ridge Trail to the peak of Speckled Mountain was a long but rewarding hike.
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Streaked Mountain Hebron 1/2 mile adv. beginner
The mountain offers a steep but short half-mile hike to the top.
Table Rock Newry 3 miles intermediate
A nice hike at Grafton Notch State Park.
outdoors with children video slideshow 
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Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary Lewiston 4 miles beginner
Hiking with Kids: Even well-prepared hikers who take care to pack their backpacks with their family's mishaps in mind can run into a bit of unexpected trouble on the trail.
outdoors with children slideshow audio 
Tower Man's Trail: Mount Aziscohos Rangeley 5 intermediate
The Tower Man's Trail is a round-trip hike of about five miles that gains about 1,500 feet in elevation on its way to the 3,215-foot summit.
Tumbledown Mountain Weld 1.5 to 3 miles intermediate
Several trails of varying lengths and difficulties get you up one of Maine's most popular peaks but either way you'll need a good sense of direction.
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