Person hiking on top of rocks in forest with black and yellow shoes in Ogunquit, ME
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Hiking in Ogunquit and Southern Maine

Take in Maine’s natural beauty with these hiking paths and trails near our coastal Maine hotels.

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge

Hike around estuaries and salt marshes on a self guided tour. Between 260,000 – 330,000 nature enthusiasts visit each year to enjoy the splendor. Major habitat types present of the refuge include forested upland, barrier beach/dune, coastal meadows, tidal salt marsh, and the distinctive rocky coast.

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The Marginal Way

In 1923, the magnificent Marginal Way was given as a gift to the Town of Ogunquit by Josiah Chase of York and is now a paved footpath beginning (or ending) in a corner of Oarweed Cove near the harbor, then running for 1 ¼ miles to the marvelous expanse of Ogunquit Beach. Once called “the margin” because of its patterned development along the rocky edge of the cliff, the origin and preservation of this truly precious piece of natural beauty was not the result of far-sighted conservation planning, but of the dealings of a shrewd businessman and some stubborn, persuasive “locals.” This delightful, exhilarating walk meanders by tangled bayberry and bittersweet bushes, gnarled shrubs of fragrant pink and white sea roses, shaded alcoves formed by wind-twisted trees jutting out onto high granite outcroppings, and humbling views of the mighty Atlantic with its varying seasonal moods. Although the bends and inclines along the way are rather gentle, most walkers will choose one of the thirty memorial benches dotting the path to sit and rest, to contemplate and sometimes to paint the panorama of sea, surf and sky which daily unfolds amid noisy protests from the roiling ocean and screeching gulls. After a freak storm damaged the path in 1991, the Committee to Restore the Marginal Way and a capital fund were established to ensure its continued preservation and maintenance. Each year more than 100,000 people take this scenic path along the rugged cliff line, and, while Maine has several similar ocean walkways, Ogunquit’s Marginal Way is undoubtedly the most unique, the most popular, the most painted and the most beloved.

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The Wells Reserve at Laudholm

The Wells Reserve at Laudholm is a National Estuarine Research Reserve with its headquarters listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Wells Reserve & Laudholm Trust are tightly linked, but each has its own role. In short, the Wells Reserve focuses on research, education, and stewardship, while Laudholm Trust focuses on fundraising and community building. Both organizations are committed to the evolution of the Wells Reserve at Laudholm as a center for the protection of coastal environments.

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Mt. Agamenticus

Mount Agamenticus is known for its unique trail system and rich natural resources. State, local and non-profit landowners are working together to balance protection of these lands for wildlife habitat and water quality while providing opportunities for safe and sustainable recreation. Enjoy beautiful views of the ocean from the top.

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