Southern Maine is known for its sandy beaches and resort towns, but hidden in plain sight is a treasure trove of hikes. From rocky cliff walks and marshes to forests, fens and even a mountain or two there’s a lot to choose from just a short drive from Route 1.

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This list is primarily focused on just York County along the coast. If you’d like me to do a list for Cumberland County or the Midcoast, comment below your favorite hikes.

Also, most of these hikes are relatively short with minimal technical hiking. The Maine coast is actually pretty hilly, so there’s some elevation gain, but not too much. 

Southern Maine is also pretty thickly settled. There’s just not wide expanses of wilderness or true mountains. For that, you’ll want to head up the coast to Camden Hills or Acadia or the interior mountains from Grafton Notch to the Carrabassett Valley to Baxter State Park which offer much more difficult and longer hikes.

#10 Clifford Park – Biddeford

This rocky forested park includes nearly 5 miles of trails for various skill levels.

#9 Saco Heath – Saco

One mile boardwalk and trail through the Saco Heath Bog featuring beautiful wild flowers in the Spring.

#8 Cascade Falls – Saco

This .3 mile loop trail ends with a 20 foot horsetail waterfall.

#7 Eastern Trail – Saco/Scarborough

This section of the Eastern Trail is 7.6 miles long that will take you through forests and Scarborough Marsh, the largest Salt Water Marsh in Maine.

#6 Saco Bay Trails – Saco/Old Orchard Beach

Throughout Saco and Old Orchard Beach are half a dozen trails that total nearly 10 miles that will take you through woods, marshes and coastal environments.

#5 Marginal Way – Ogunquit

A 1.25 mile paved coastal walk hugging the coast connecting downtown Ogunquit to Perkins Cove.

#4 Fisherman’s Walk/Wiggly Bridge – York

Fisherman’s Walk is a 1.8 mile walk along the York River past the docks of lobstermen and boaters alike ending at the Wiggly Bridge, the shortest suspension bridge in the world. Check out our video of this hike!

#3 Mt Agamaticus – York

Ok, so Mt Agamanticus is more of a hill, but with an elevation of 692 feet it overlooks the ocean and on a clear day you can see Mt Washington in New Hampshire.

#2 Eastern Point Sanctuary – Biddeford

This coastal hike takes you along the rocky coast and past a lighthouse and day beacon and at low tide you’ll find tide pools. Check out our video on this hike.

#1 Timber Point Preserve – Biddeford

Timber Point Preserve is a serene coastal hike that hugs the coast and goes through an old estate. THe best part is the island you can walk to at low tide. How cool is that!? We also have a separate video going over that hike for you to check out.

There you have 10 great hikes (or walks) in Southern Maine. If I left out any of your favorites, please comment below.