The Ultimate Bucket List For Anyone In Maine Who Loves Waterfall Hikes
If you love nature, Maine is the place to be. From ocean to lakes to forest to mountains, if you’ve got months or just hours there’s something here for you. While we often recommend tons of different ways to explore, this is one of our favorites. These waterfalls hikes in Maine give you the best of both worlds – beautiful scenery on the way, plus the ability to gaze at one of nature’s most impressive feats!
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One hike, two waterfalls! How could you go wrong? We love this journey because the route is challenging, yet rewarding. You'll be starting on the Appalachian Trail, following blue blazes. Look out for thru hikers so you can quickly judge yourself for your lack of motivation. Kidding! Keep going! Must of the trail follows a stream, making it beautiful all along the way. To find out the exact instructions for this hike, check out this article.
This one isn't entirely worthy of being called a hike since you can park in the lot nearby, but there are lots of ways to stretch your limbs by climbing among the rocks to get a higher point from which to jump. Yep, this waterfall also includes a swimming hole! Explore the area to find the smaller falls scattered around. For more information, check out this article.
One of the highest waterfalls in Maine is impressively easy to visit on foot. It's 1-mile hike leads directly to the base of the falls, allowing you to gaze up in wonder. There's also a slightly more challenging route hike that will take you to the top. The trail follows along Wight Brook and offers opportunities for wildlife viewing and swimming. Overall, you should expect to spend about 45 minutes on this hike.
Located in Saco, the Cascade Falls trail is an easy, well-groomed path leading to something pretty incredible! The half-mile trail is made up of easily traversed stone dust, making it a trip that virtually anyone can take. And, it ends in the gorgeous Cascade Falls. For more information check out this article.
The "Grand Canyon of the East" can be access via the 8.6 mile looped hike leading to the viewing point. This is a true natural wonder and peering into the gorge is a great way to remember why Maine is so great. If it's warm you can even swim here!
You'll be taking a dirty road to get to the informal access point of this hike. But it's well worth it! Follow the red blazes while heading down the logging path crossing Berdeen Stream. After crossing, it heads to Mountain Brook. The trail will head up stream and cross the brook three times before you arrive at the impressive destination! It's not an easy hike, but it won't take more than about an hour. Want the exact route? Check out this article.
The hike to reach these falls is a simple, ten minute journey that passes through the greenest greens with lush forest canopy. There's even a cute little footbridge along the way. View from the top to feel a part of it all, but then head to the bottom for some swimming and a picnic. For more information, check out this article.
Don't go all the way to Canada for Niagara Falls, we have our very own! To visit, head to the Togue Pond Gatehouse of Baxter State park. After registering, head left where the road splits. Drive 10 miles to the Kidney Pond Campground where you'll take a left and drive to the campground parking lot. From here it's about a 3 mile hike to the falls. There's another, more challenging, route that involves a paddle. For that, check out this article.
Another of Maine's highest falls, this one is a Vacationland favorite. It's almost always on our list of more beautiful waterfalls in the state. The 90 foot drops is magnificent! This hike is really more of a walk, covering about 1 mile. It should take about 30-45 minutes.
To take this super short, (but steep!) hike head first to Waterford. Make your way down a small road, which turns to dirt and soon you'll find a small, unofficial parking area. Down the hill you'll find the gorge. Throw caution to the wind, jump in and swim towards the back to find the falls. This is one trip you won't soon forget. For more specific instructions, check out this article.
Interested in making a trip our of Maine’s waterfalls? Take this Maine waterfalls road trip to see some of the best!
