Beginner Hiking Trails in Maine
New to hiking in this state? We filtered the 9,537 mapped trails in Maine down to those rated easy — capped at six miles for the routes with a mapped distance — 9196 trails that prioritize a good first experience over mileage or elevation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best beginner hiking trail in Maine?
1 is our top beginner pick in Maine — easy difficulty, short and gentle enough for a first hike. 9195 more beginner-friendly options are listed below.
What makes a trail beginner-friendly?
Easy OpenStreetMap difficulty classification (gentle terrain, well-marked, no technical sections) combined with a shorter distance — long enough to feel like a real hike, short enough to finish comfortably without prior conditioning.
Is hiking in Maine good for beginners?
Yes — with 9196 mapped easy, short trails, Maine has more beginner-friendly options than a lot of areas get credit for.
How many beginner-friendly trails are there in Maine?
9196 of Maine's 9,537 mapped trails are rated easy difficulty and six miles or under — see the full list below.