The 10 Best Hikes Near Bethel Maine
Bethel is a beautiful mountain town in western Maine near many beautiful mountain ranges. Although Bethel is known for its incredible ski resort, Sunday River, it offers many other things to do.
One of the best things to do in Bethel is hike! Bethel has many fun hikes that are great for all levels and year-round hiking. This guide has everything you need to know about the best hikes near Bethel, Maine, that should be on your bucket list!
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Tips for Hiking Near Bethel Maine
Get to the trailhead early. Many hikes near Bethel are popular and crowded in the summer and fall on the weekends. I recommend arriving at the trailhead early in the morning, so you can secure a parking spot and enjoy the trail with fewer people.
The hikes in Bethel are rugged. The hiking trails in Bethel have roots and rocks, so it is important to wear supportive shoes with traction. Even the easy hikes in Bethel have obstacles.
The weather in Bethel can change quickly. The weather in the mountains is unpredictable. It could be a sunny and warm day in the morning and change into a windy and rainy day within a few hours. It is essential to check the weather before starting the hike.
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Many of these trailheads have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away when you finish the hike. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
What to Pack for Hiking
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.
The Best Hikes Near Bethel Maine
Summit Ridge
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 3.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 800 feet
The Bethel Community Forest is a beautiful area in Bethel that has fun hikes. The 980-acre forest has miles of trails for the entire family! The 3.6-mile round trip Summit Ridge Trail is one of the best hikes in Bethel and has some of the best views in the Bethel Community Forest.
The Summit Ridge Trail has steep sections, but the effort is worth it for the mountain views! After traveling through a beautiful forest, the trail brings you to multiple expansive viewpoints, overlooking the south and west. The Summit Ridge Trail is one of the best hikes in Bethel for everyone looking for beautiful views!
Mount Will
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 3 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
Mount Will is a beautiful hike near Bethel, offering stunning views of the Androscoggin River Valley. The 3-mile round trip hike is steep in some sections but is worth the effort once you reach the top.
The trail also has blueberries in the summer to enjoy! It is also a fantastic trail for snowshoeing in the winter. When you hike Mount Will, you will quickly understand why it’s one of the best hikes in Bethel!
Please note: This trail travels through private property, so make sure to stay on the marked trail.
Valentine Farm
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2 miles
Elevation Gain: minimal
Valentine Farm is one of the most underrated hikes in Bethel and is perfect for the entire family! It has 2-miles of trails that wander through a beautiful forest, to a pollinating area, and near the Androscoggin River. The preserve is also a great area to see wildlife, including birds, moose, foxes, deer, and bears. If you want to hike an easy trail in Bethel, Valentine Farm is the perfect trail!
Buck’s Ledge
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 300 feet
One of the best easy hikes near Bethel is Buck’s Ledge. The 2.5-mile round trip trail to Buck’s Ledge travels through a beautiful forest before ascending to the ledge with views overlooking Mount Abram, North Pond, South Pond, and the surrounding mountains. It is also the best spot for sunset!
he beginning of the trail is pretty flat until it reaches just below the ledge, where it ascends steeply. I promise the effort is worth it for the views! You will not be disappointed with this beautiful hike near Bethel!
Lapham Ledge
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 300 feet
If you are looking for a shorter hike than Buck’s Ledge, Lapham Ledge is perfect! The 1.4-mile round trip loop to Lapham Ledge is the easiest trail near Buck’s Ledge and offers views of the surrounding area. The trail travels through a beautiful forest before ascending steeply to the ledge overlooking the surrounding mountains and ponds. It is also a beautiful spot for sunrise!
Old Speck Mountain
Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 7.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,900 feet
Grafton Notch State Park is one of the most beautiful Maine state parks and has some of the best hikes near Bethel! The state park has over 3,000 acres and includes one of the tallest mountains in Maine, Old Speck Mountain.
The 7.4 miles round trip trail to Old Speck Mountain is challenging but worth the effort for the beautiful views at the top. The trail steeply ascends along the Appalachian Trail to the summit, which has an old fire tower. The views at the top are stunning, overlooking the White Mountains, Mahoosuc Mountain Range, and the surrounding area. If you are up for a challenging hike, you will not be disappointed with this beautiful hike near Bethel!
Step Falls
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 220 feet
If you want to hike to a beautiful waterfall near Bethel, you are in luck! Grafton Notch State Park has multiple waterfalls, and one of the most beautiful ones is Step Falls. The 1.1-mile round trip trail travels through a beautiful forest along the stream with waterfalls.
Once you reach the top of the waterfall, you also get gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains! If you visit in the summer, you can also enjoy swimming in Step Falls. The preserve is beautiful, and you will quickly realize why it is one of the best hikes near Bethel!
Puzzle Mountain
Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 7.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,600 feet
Puzzle Mountain is another beautiful hike near Bethel in Grafton Notch State Park. It rivals the beauty of Old Speck Mountain and is just as challenging. The 7.3-mile round trip trail steeply ascends before reaching the summit of Puzzle Mountain.
The strenuous climb rewards you with stunning views at the top, overlooking Bear Valley, the Mahoosuc Mountain Range, and the White Mountains. If you are looking for a challenging hike, Puzzle Mountain is the perfect hike!
Table Rock
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 2.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 900 feet
Table Rock is easily one of the most beautiful hikes near Bethel. It is across from Old Speck Mountain in Grafton Notch State Park and offers expansive views of the notch. There are two ways to hike to Table Rock.
The first is a 2.1 miles round trip loop that ascends very steep rock slabs as the trail approaches the summit, which is difficult for small children and dogs. If you hike the loop, you should follow it counterclockwise because the steep section is difficult to descend.
If you want to avoid the steep trail section, you can hike the western half of the loop as an out-and-back via the Appalachian Trail. The 2.4-mile trail is much more gradual and easier to ascend. No matter which way you decide to hike to Table Rock, you will quickly realize why it is one of the best hikes near Bethel!
Peaked Mountain
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 2 miles
Elevation Gain: 550 feet
Maggie’s Nature Park is a beautiful area near Bethel, with hikes for all levels! One of the best hikes in the nature park is Peaked Mountain. The 2-mile round trip trail ascends steeply through the forest before arriving at the rocky overlook, offering stunning views of Twitchell Pond and surrounding mountains. Once you see the views, you will quickly understand why it is one of the best hikes near Bethel!
If you are visiting Bethel, this guide is the perfect starting point to find hiking trails. It has everything you need to know about the best hikes near Bethel, Maine, for all levels!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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