The 10 Best Places for Trail Running in Maine
Maine is one of the most beautiful places to trail run in New England, with thousands of miles of trails in its diverse landscape. You can enjoy trail running in Maine along the rugged coastline, waterfalls, mountains, and lush forests.
And the best part? Maine has trails for all levels! Whether you want an easy trail run in a beautiful forest or challenge yourself to run to higher summits, there is a trail for everyone to enjoy. I may be biased, but I think Maine is one of the best places to trail run, and I promise you will not be disappointed!
This guide is the perfect place to start planning a trail run because it has everything you need to know about the most beautiful places for trail running in Maine.
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Tips for Trail Running in Maine
Wear shoes with good traction. Most of Maine’s terrain is rugged, with roots and rocks on the trail, so it is crucial to wear supportive running shoes with good traction to prevent you from slipping. I have been wearing the adidas TERREX Two Ultra Primeblue Trail Running Shoes and love them for Maine’s rugged terrain because they have fantastic traction. They are comfortable, lightweight, and supportive, and they do not take much time to break in. They also fit like a sock, so I do not have any irritation from the tongue. I love that they are versatile, so I can wear them when running on the road and trail!
Pack layers. If you plan to run to the higher summits in Maine, I recommend packing layers. The weather in the mountains is unpredictable, and the temperatures can be drastically colder at the top. I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket. I also pack my adidas X-City Fleece Running Long Sleeve because it is lightweight, warm, and breathable.
Pack a paper map and an offline GPS map. Although some of the trails in Maine have service, most do not. I recommend packing a paper map with a compass or an offline GPS map for every run. I love downloading an offline map with the entire trail on my phone to follow as needed when running.
Check trail conditions. Winter conditions can last through spring, especially in the higher summits, so it is important to check the trail conditions to confirm what you need to pack for your trail run.
Carry the 10 Essentials. If you plan to run on strenuous trails in Maine to the higher summits, it is crucial to pack the 10 Essentials for emergencies. Many of the 10 Essentials are small and can easily fit in a small backpack or running vest.
Have fun! Maine is one of the most beautiful states in the United States (although I may be biased), so make sure to have fun and enjoy your trail run!
Best Places for Trail Running in Maine
Although Maine has thousands of trails, these places are a few of my favorites to trail run! Each has beautiful views and trails for all levels.
Pineland Farms
Pineland Farms is in New Gloucester just north of Portland and has over 18 miles of trails on its 5,000-acre farm. The farm has some of my favorite trails because they are well-maintained, easy to follow, and great for all levels. Although you do not run to the top of a mountain or to a waterfall, the trails are beautiful, weaving through a lush forest and throughout the farm. And they have a market you can stop by after your run to grab a snack or pastry.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is the only national park in New England and has beautiful trails for running throughout the park. You can enjoy running along the ocean, to the top of the tallest mountain in the park, or along its carriage roads.
I love trail running on the carriage roads because they are well-maintained, easy to follow, and run past some of the most beautiful areas in the park, including Jordan Pond. The 45 miles of carriage trails are great for all levels and have fewer crowds than other trails in the park.
If you want more of a challenging trail run, you can enjoy trails to Cadillac Mountain, Gorham Mountain, and the Bubbles. You will quickly realize why Acadia National Park is one of the best places in Maine for trail running!
Bradbury Mountain State Park
Bradbury Mountain State Park is just north of Portland and has some of the best views in the area. The state park has over 800 acres with 21 miles of trails, leading you through beautiful forests and to the top of Bradbury Mountain. You can enjoy a steep trail run to the summit or a leisurely run around the park.
I highly recommend running on a trail leading to the summit of Bradbury Mountain because the views are spectacular, overlooking the surrounding towns and towards the ocean. Fall is one of my favorite times to enjoy a trail run in Bradbury Mountain State Park because the foliage views are unmatched.
Camden Hills State Park
Camden Hills State Park is one of my absolute favorite places to trail run in MidCoast Maine because the views overlooking the ocean are incredible. Camden Hills is a 5,710-acre state park that overlooks Penobscot Bay and has some of the most beautiful trails in MidCoast Maine for all levels.
You can enjoy a trail run to the highest mountain in the park, Mount Megunticook, the historical site on Mount Battie, or one of the most beautiful overlooks on Maiden Cliff. No matter which trail you choose for your run, you will not be disappointed with the stunning ocean views.
Hidden Valley Nature Center
Hidden Valley Nature Center is another beautiful place for trail running in MicCoast Maine, and it has fewer crowds than nearby trails. Most of the 25 miles of trails wandering through the 1,000-acre park are easy and well-maintained, making them great for all levels. You can enjoy runs through lush forests, along ponds, through bogs, and by cabins and yurts.
Grafton Notch State Park
Grafton Notch State Park is my favorite state park in western Maine because it has some of the best views in the area. The state park has over 3,000 acres and includes one of the tallest mountains in Maine, Old Speck Mountain, but you do not need to run to Old Speck to enjoy beautiful views!
Graft Notch is one of the best places to enjoy trail running to beautiful waterfalls, mountains, and overlooks. You can enjoy a run to Step Falls, Table Rock, or Puzzle Mountain, to name a few beautiful trails. The trails in Graft Notch are more rugged and strenuous than others on this list, but the views are worth the effort! You will quickly see why Grafton Notch State Park is one of the best places for trail running in Maine!
Mount Agamenticus
Mount Agamenticus is a 692-foot mountain in southern Maine near York and has some of the most beautiful views in the area, overlooking the ocean and nearby coastal towns. It has over 10,000 acres of beautiful land with a few miles of trails that are great for all levels.
Since Mount Agamenticus is not one of the tallest mountains in Maine, the trails to the summit are not overly steep or strenuous. Each is well-maintained and offers a fun trail-running experience with beautiful views!
Bald Pate Mountain Preserve
Bald Pate Mountain Preserve is a beautiful area in the lakes region of Maine with almost 500 acres of land. It has several miles of trails leading to various viewpoints, overlooking the surrounding lakes, that are great for trail running. Although these trails are rugged, most are not overly strenuous, allowing everyone to enjoy a fun trail run with beautiful views. You will quickly fall in love with trail running in Bald Pate Mountain Preserve!
Blue Hill Heritage Trust
Blue Hill Heritage Trust is probably one of the least-visited areas on this list, but it does not lack fun trail runs. The trust has over 10,000 acres of land on the Blue Hill Peninsula, with over 30 miles of trails perfect for trail running.
One of the things I love about trail running in this area is the variety of trails for all levels. You can enjoy an easy trail run along the ocean or through a lush forest or challenge yourself with a strenuous run to the top of a mountain. My favorite areas to trail run are Blue Hill Mountain, Ferry Landing, Bluff Head Preserve, and John B Mountain. Once you visit Blue Hill Heritage Trust, you will quickly realize why it is one of my favorite areas in Maine for trail running.
White Mountain National Forest
Although most of the White Mountain National Forest is in New Hampshire, a portion is in western Maine. The section of the national forest in Maine has fewer crowds even though the views are just as beautiful. If you are looking for some of the most challenging trail runs in Maine, the White Mountain National Forest is perfect. These trails are rugged and steep, but the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains are worth the effort!
If you are looking for beautiful places to trail run in Maine, you are in the right place. This guide has everything you need to know about the best places for trail running in Maine.
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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