Hidden Hiking Gems: Five 5-Mile Hikes in Maine
If you think you’ve hiked all the best trails in Maine, think again.
Sure, Katahdin, Tumbledown, and Acadia National Park get all the attention—but tucked away in Maine’s forests, coasts, and remote inland regions are quieter trails that offer stunning views, biodiversity, and solitude.
Whether you’re searching for day hikes that won’t take all day, planning a hiking road trip, or just want to escape the crowds, this list is for you. These are five of the best hidden hikes in Maine—all around five miles round-trip, all absolutely worth the effort.
🗻 1. Rumford Whitecap Mountain
Location: Rumford, Western Maine
Distance: ~5.3 miles out-and-back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: ~1,700 feet
One of the most scenic summit hikes in western Maine, Rumford Whitecap offers 360-degree mountain views, wild blueberry fields, and open granite ridges without the crowds. The Starr Trail begins with a mellow climb through hemlock and hardwoods before connecting to the Whitecap Trail, which leads above treeline for panoramic vistas of the Mahoosuc Range and Mount Washington.
Why it’s a hidden gem: Despite big views and a great trail system, it sees far less traffic than nearby favorites like Puzzle Mountain or Grafton Notch.
Insider Tip: Hike this trail in late July or early August for prime wild blueberry season.
Biodiversity Highlight: Keep an eye out for mountain ash, lowbush blueberry, red fox tracks, and migrating hawks overhead.
🌊 2. Great Wass Island Preserve
Location: Beals Island, Downeast Maine
Distance: 4.5-mile loop
Difficulty: Moderate (tricky footing but minimal elevation)
Elevation Gain: ~200 feet
Looking for a coastal hike in Maine that’s off the radar? Head to the Great Wass Island Preserve, one of the most wild and undeveloped stretches of shoreline in the state. This trail leads you through dense spruce forest, over peaty bogs on boardwalks, and out to windswept granite cliffs at the edge of the Atlantic.
Why it’s a hidden gem: It feels like Acadia, without the people. You’ll find quiet tide pools, offshore seabirds, and ancient bedrock underfoot.
Insider Tip: Bring layers—the coast is often foggy and breezy even on warm days. A thermos of coffee and a rock ledge make the perfect lunch stop.
Biodiversity Highlight: This trail is home to arctic-alpine species like baked-apple berry, labrador tea, and pitcher plants.
🛶 3. Downeast Lakes Community Forest
Location: Grand Lake Stream, Washington County
Distance: ~4.6 miles out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Elevation Gain: ~200 feet
This quiet, forested trail is tucked into the Downeast Lakes Community Forest, a 370,000-acre stretch of conserved land near the Canadian border. The trail meanders through a mature hardwood forest to a tranquil lakeside cove, with prime wildlife viewing and excellent brook trout fishing from shore.
Why it’s a hidden gem: You’ll likely be the only one there—and the trail connects you to a much larger network of remote wilderness routes.
Insider Tip: Bring your fly rod and a camp chair. The cove is ideal for casting into still waters surrounded by pines and loons.
Biodiversity Highlight: Watch for moose tracks, beavers, loons, and warblers darting through the forest understory. Birding, fishing, and hiking abound in this region of the state!
🏞️ 4. Barnard Mountain Trail, Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument
Location: Near Stacyville, Northern Maine
Distance: ~4.5 miles out-and-back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: ~900 feet
This under-the-radar trail in Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument is one of the best ways to see Mount Katahdin—without hiking it. The trail climbs gradually through hardwood glades before reaching open ledges on Barnard Mountain, where a jaw-dropping view of Maine’s tallest peak and the surrounding Penobscot River corridor awaits.
Why it’s a hidden gem: Few people venture into KWW, so the trail is quiet, and the view is postcard-perfect—especially at golden hour.
Insider Tip: You’ll need a high-clearance vehicle to drive the Loop Road, or be prepared to walk in an extra mile. The remoteness is part of the charm. Check out the Tekαkαpimək Contact Station - it’s been called the Guggenheim of the North Woods — and we can confirm that’s an accurate description; it’s simply spectacular!
Biodiversity Highlight: Keep an eye out for boreal species like spruce grouse, snowshoe hares, and even Canada lynx (rare, but not unheard of).
🧗 5. Ragged Mountain via Thorndike Brook Trail
Location: Rockport, Midcoast Maine
Distance: ~5.4 miles out-and-back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: ~1,200 feet
This midcoast Maine hidden gem rivals Camden Hills for views but draws only a fraction of the traffic. The Thorndike Brook Trail climbs steadily through beech forest, passes a few small rock scrambles, and leads to the rugged summit of Ragged Mountain, where you’ll get sweeping views over Penobscot Bay, Bald Mountain, and Megunticook Lake.
Why it’s a hidden gem: Locals know it, but most visitors skip it in favor of Camden Hills. That’s a mistake.
Insider Tip: Visit in October for vibrant foliage and crisp views stretching to Acadia on a clear day.
Biodiversity Highlight: Keep your eyes peeled for raptors, black-throated blue warblers, and pale corydalis growing in rocky outcrops.
🧭 Final Thoughts: Discover Maine’s Lesser-Known Trails
To say it simply, Maine is packed with SO many hikes that don’t make it into the guidebooks. These five-mile hidden hiking trails are perfect for day trips, weekend escapes, or full-on road trip itineraries. They showcase the diversity of the state’s wild lands—and offer a quiet alternative to the better-known peaks.
