Roque Bluffs MaineHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Roque Bluffs, Maine.
1. Pond Cove Trail
SCENIC COASTAL VIEWS
Pond Cove Trail is a 0.8-mile path that leads hikers through peaceful meadows and woods over largely flat terrain. The trail offers spectacular scenic vistas overlooking Pond Cove, making it perfect for nature photographers. Hikers can complete this relatively easy trail in approximately one hour while enjoying the diverse coastal ecosystem.
2. Houghton's Hill Trail
MODERATE WOODLAND HIKE
Houghton's Hill Trail is a 1.5-mile woodland path with moderate terrain suitable for fit walkers. The trail features a convenient picnic table halfway along the route that offers a place to rest or enjoy a snack with a view. Hikers typically complete this wooded trail in approximately 45 minutes while enjoying the tranquil forest surroundings.
3. Mihill Trail
COASTAL LOOP PATH
Mihill Trail is the longest loop in Roque Bluffs State Park at 2 miles, passing along the beautiful shore of Great Cove before turning inland. The trail ascends a small hill and offers hikers stunning views of the coastline throughout the journey. At the fork known as Larry's Loop, hikers can take the left path for the most direct route back to the trailhead, completing the full experience in approximately one hour.
4. Blueberry Camp Trail
HILL CLIMBING EXPERIENCE
Blueberry Camp Trail is a 0.2-mile blue-blazed path that provides an alternative route to the Houghton's Hill Trail. The trail climbs a small hill, offering hikers a brief but satisfying elevation gain with rewarding views. Hikers can connect this short trail with others in the park to create a personalized hiking experience through the diverse coastal landscape.
5. Starr Trail
WETLAND CONNECTOR PATH
Starr Trail is a 0.3-mile connector path that skirts a picturesque wetland area within Roque Bluffs State Park. The trail provides a convenient link from the beach area to the broader trail network, allowing hikers to customize their exploration. Visitors on this short trail can observe wetland ecosystems while transitioning between the park's beach amenities and its inland hiking opportunities.
6. Larry's Loop
SHORTCUT TRAIL CONNECTION
Larry's Loop consists of two turnoffs that provide shortcuts back to Houghton's Hill from the Mihill Trail. These connector paths create flexible hiking options for visitors wanting to customize their hiking distance and difficulty. The loop allows hikers to experience different sections of the park's landscape while providing convenient return options to the main trails.
7. Englishman Bay Beach Trail
COASTAL BEACH ACCESS
Englishman Bay Beach Trail leads to the highlight of Roque Bluffs State Park: a half-mile arc of sand-and-pebble beach along Englishman Bay. The trail provides access to both swimming opportunities and fishing spots, though visitors should be mindful of swimmers when fishing from the beach. This scenic pathway connects the parking area to one of the park's most popular natural features, offering Atlantic Ocean views throughout.
8. Simpson Pond Nature Trail
FRESHWATER WETLAND EXPERIENCE
Simpson Pond Nature Trail circles the 60-acre Simpson Pond, a wildlife-rich freshwater wetland habitat located just behind Englishman Bay Beach. Hikers can observe diverse bird species and aquatic wildlife while enjoying the contrast between the nearby saltwater environment and this freshwater ecosystem. The trail offers relatively flat terrain suitable for all skill levels, making it an excellent choice for families and nature enthusiasts.
9. Bold Coast Trail
DRAMATIC CLIFF VIEWS
Bold Coast Trail is located in nearby Cutler, offering one of Maine's most spectacular coastal hiking experiences with dramatic cliff views overlooking the Bay of Fundy. The trail stretches for about 10 miles round-trip, with several shorter loop options available for day hikers seeking varying levels of challenge. Hikers are rewarded with breathtaking panoramas of rugged shoreline, spruce forests, and ocean vistas that rival any coastal scenery in the northeastern United States.
10. Great Wass Island Preserve
ISLAND WILDERNESS ADVENTURE
Great Wass Island Preserve features a 4.5-mile loop trail on a remote island accessible by causeway near Jonesport, offering a true Downeast Maine wilderness experience. The preserve protects rare plant communities and provides hikers with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean from granite headlands and beaches. Visitors can experience diverse habitats including maritime spruce-fir forest, raised peatlands, and dramatic coastal rock formations throughout this Nature Conservancy property.