Marginal Way, Ogunquit, Maine, Hotels
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Marginal Way, Ogunquit, Maine, Hotels

A Timeless Ogunquit, Maine Pastime: Marginal Way

Ogunquit lays claim to many superb destinations, from excellent theaters and museums to the award-winning seafront of Ogunquit Beach. But in terms of the absolute embodiment of the town’s Abenaki name—the Beautiful Place by the Sea—the Marginal Way stands alone.

Established back in 1925, the Marginal Way forms one of the only paved public footpaths directly along oceanfront in New England. A bit more than a mile long, this well-known walkway joins Ogunquit Beach and Perkins Cove, two other highpoints of Ogunquit’s coastline, and its full length comes absolutely awash in beauty.

The Marginal Way

The path traces Ogunquit’s “margin”: shallow cliffs, sandy coves, weather-beaten trees, fragrant seaside gardens—all set against the rich blue and leaping breakers of the Atlantic Ocean.

Drop down to pocketsize tide pools, admire the pretty little Marginal Way Lighthouse, or drink in the dreamy seascape from one of the 39 benches scattered along the footpath.

Reap the Rewards of Slowing Down

Mostly level and completely paved, the Marginal Way can be treated as a spectacularly scenic on-foot thoroughfare for combining gallery-hopping or boat-cruising down in Perkins Cove with some quality time on Ogunquit Beach.

But we also urge our Ogunquit.com guests to treat this surf-hugging path as its own destination: A slow and easy constitutional along the Marginal Way is always richly rewarded. It’s meditative, it’s contemplative, and it’s social, given how many smiling faces and friendly waves you’re liable to encounter along its length—locals and out-of-towners alike, enjoying this precious expression of the Beautiful Place by the Sea.

Learn a Little of the Marginal Way Backstory

You can learn more about the history of the Marginal Way right here at the website of the Marginal Way Preservation Fund. Needless to say, we’re very thankful to Ogunquit resident Josiah Chase, Jr. who made the initial donation of land to create the publicly accessible pathway—and to all the hardworking folks who’ve maintained it ever since.

Experience the Marginal Way for Yourself This Summer With Ogunquit.com!

Come stay at one of our Ogunquit.com properties this summer (the Juniper Hill Inn, the Cottage at Acorn Lane, the Gorges Grant Hotel, or the Milestone) and take in the one-of-a-kind joys of the Marginal Way, one of the true treasures of the New England seashore!