Farmington MaineHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Farmington, Maine.
1. Powder House Hill Trails
EASY ACCESS FOREST NETWORK
Powder House Hill Trails is a network of forest trails offering easy to moderate terrain for year-round, non-motorized use just minutes from downtown Farmington. These accessible trails feature various natural attractions including old wells and vernal pools to explore. All trailheads are located less than a mile from historic downtown Farmington, welcoming visitors from dawn to dusk throughout the year.
2. Flint Woods and Village Woods
HISTORIC WOODLAND PATHS
Flint Woods and Village Woods are part of the Powder House Hill Trails system, accessible via the main trailhead on Anson Street about half a mile from downtown Farmington. These scenic woods are located just beyond the Bonney Woods parking area and offer peaceful forest exploration. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty while hiking through these connected woodland areas.
3. Box Shop Hill Trails
MULTIPLE TRAILHEAD OPTIONS
Box Shop Hill Trails offer multiple entry points including Ridge Road, Switchback, and Sideshot trailheads just north of downtown Farmington. These trails are part of the Powder House Hill network and begin just past the WWI memorial arch in town. Each trailhead is marked with small green signs identifying the specific trail option.
4. Appalachian Trail
CLASSIC LONG-DISTANCE PATH
The Appalachian Trail is considered the best hiking trail near Farmington, offering a 6.6-mile out-and-back experience. This section of the iconic long-distance trail provides hikers with classic Maine wilderness scenery and moderate terrain. Accessible from Farmington, this trail segment gives visitors a taste of America's most famous hiking route.
5. Center Hill Nature Trail
EASY SELF-GUIDED LOOP
Center Hill Nature Trail is an easy half-mile loop and self-guided nature trail in the heart of Mount Blue State Park near Farmington. The trail leaves directly from the picnic area, making it convenient for visitors to the park. This accessible path offers an educational walking experience suitable for hikers of all abilities.
6. Prescott Field Trails
RIVERSIDE ACCESSIBLE PATHS
Prescott Field Trails feature a network of easy and pretty paths between Main Street and the Sandy River, including a fabulous 0.6-mile accessibility trail. The accessible trail, made of compacted crushed rock, winds through a river floodplain and silver maple forest carpeted with ferns. Visitors can explore numerous short side spurs leading to beaches of sand and smooth pebbles, popular places to wade and swim.
7. Whistle Stop Trail
HISTORIC RAILWAY PATH
The Whistle Stop Trail is a converted railway path that connects to Farmington via efforts from the High Peaks Alliance. The trail offers a relatively flat hiking experience through scenic rural Maine landscapes. High Peaks Alliance is working to rebuild the demolished bridge across the Sandy River to better connect this trail to downtown Farmington.
8. Bonney Woods
DOWNTOWN FOREST RETREAT
Bonney Woods is a forested area with hiking trails located very close to downtown Farmington with a dedicated parking area. This woodland retreat connects with the larger Powder House Hill Trails system, offering an accessible nature experience. Hikers can enjoy the tranquility of this urban forest setting throughout all seasons.
9. Tumbledown Mountain
DRAMATIC SUMMIT VIEWS
Tumbledown Mountain is a popular hiking destination near Farmington offering spectacular views and featuring a mountain pond near its summit. The trail system includes multiple route options of varying difficulty, with the Loop Trail being among the most scenic. Hikers are rewarded with dramatic vistas of the surrounding Western Maine mountains and valleys.
10. Mount Blue State Park Trails
DIVERSE RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES
Mount Blue State Park Trails offer diverse hiking opportunities near Farmington with options ranging from easy walks to more challenging mountain climbs. The park encompasses 8,000 acres in the mountainous region of western Maine with trails showcasing lakes, streams, and mountain views. Visitors can enjoy well-maintained paths through varied terrain including the popular Mount Blue and Tumbledown Mountain trails.