Expert
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 44.9 km / 27.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 768 m
- Typical duration
- 11 hr
- Mountain
Loop Trails in Maine
The directory currently contains 32 quality-checked routes matching this guide in Maine. Their average mapped distance is 5.3 km and average recorded ascent is 148 m (486 ft); the longest route in the set is 54.0 km.
This subset represents 14% of the 224 quality-checked routes in Maine. Its average distance is 5.3 km, compared with 9.8 km across the full local set. Average recorded ascent is 148 m (486 ft), versus 202 m (663 ft) for all quality-checked routes in the same area.
Every route in this set is classified as a loop and returns to its starting area. A loop can still reuse part of the same path. Within this set, 19 routes (59%) are rated easy, 2 (6%) are rated hard or expert, and 32 (100%) are recorded as loops. Ratings are computed from available distance and elevation data and do not establish current terrain or access.
Data refreshed September 2026
Choose by the details
How do these routes differ?
A closer look at the first 6 routes in this page’s default ordering. These comparisons describe this sample, not the entire destination or a field-tested recommendation.
Shortest mapped distance in this sample
0.8 km
Dipper Cove PathCompare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.
Lowest recorded ascent in this sample
17 m
Great Meadow Loop6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.
Return logistics
6 recorded loops
Check start and finish for every option. An unknown shape does not mean a loop, and a loop does not establish access to its start.
Plan the return journey →Distances follow stored route lines; ascent and time are estimates. Current access, surface and technical difficulty need separate checks. How to turn a comparison into a shortlist.
Trails
Moderate
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 1.4 km / 0.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 35 m
- Typical duration
- 21 min
- Coastal
Moderate
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 0.8 km / 0.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 19 m
- Typical duration
- 12 min
- Coastal
- Waymarked route
Easy
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 2.9 km / 1.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 17 m
- Typical duration
- 38 min
- Alpine meadow
Expert
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 54.0 km / 33.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 2,782 m
- Typical duration
- 16 hr
- Mountain
Moderate
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 0.9 km / 0.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 19 m
- Typical duration
- 13 min
- Coastal
- Forest
- Waymarked route
Moderate
Moderate
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 2.1 km / 1.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 74 m
- Typical duration
- 33 min
Easy
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 7.1 km / 4.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 61 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 34 min
Easy
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 0.7 km / 0.5 mi
- Typical duration
- 9 min
- Waterfall
- Coastal
Easy
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 2.0 km / 1.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 31 m
- Typical duration
- 28 min
- Coastal
Moderate
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 0.8 km / 0.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 46 m
- Typical duration
- 15 min
- Coastal
- Mountain
Easy
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 1.2 km / 0.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 33 m
- Typical duration
- 18 min
- Coastal
Easy
Moderate
Moderate
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 4.7 km / 2.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 133 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 11 min
Easy
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 5.6 km / 3.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 25 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 12 min
- Coastal
Easy
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 1.3 km / 0.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 70 m
- Typical duration
- 22 min
- Mountain
Moderate
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 1.9 km / 1.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 36 m
- Typical duration
- 27 min
- Coastal
Easy
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 0.7 km / 0.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 6 m
- Typical duration
- 9 min
- Coastal
Easy
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 6.7 km / 4.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 40 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 27 min
- Coastal
Easy
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 1.3 km / 0.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 57 m
- Typical duration
- 21 min
- Waymarked route
Easy
Easy
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 0.8 km / 0.5 mi
- Typical duration
- 10 min
- Forest
- Wildlife watching
Easy
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 1.6 km / 1.0 mi
- Elevation gain
- 6 m
- Typical duration
- 20 min
Moderate
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 2.7 km / 1.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 115 m
- Typical duration
- 44 min
Moderate
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 2.1 km / 1.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 96 m
- Typical duration
- 35 min
Easy
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 5.7 km / 3.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 58 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 16 min
- Forest
Easy
Easy
Easy
Maine · United States
- Distance
- 4.2 km / 2.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 69 m
- Typical duration
- 59 min
Easy
The shortlist, side by side
The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time | Difficulty | Best season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Circle TrailMaine | 44.9 km | 768 m | 11 hr | Expert | April to October |
| Quoddy Coast Guard TrailMaine | 1.4 km | 35 m | 21 min | Moderate | April to October |
| Dipper Cove PathMaine | 0.8 km | 19 m | 12 min | Moderate | April to October |
| Great Meadow LoopMaine | 2.9 km | 17 m | 38 min | Easy | April to October |
| Grafton Loop TrailMaine | 54.0 km | 2,782 m | 16 hr | Expert | April to October |
| Spruce-Fir Forest TrailMaine | 0.9 km | 19 m | 13 min | Moderate | April to October |
| Great Head TrailMaine | 2.4 km | 80 m | 37 min | Moderate | April to October |
| Gulliver's Hole-Artic Bog TrailMaine | 2.1 km | 74 m | 33 min | Moderate | April to October |
| Great Wass Island LoopMaine | 7.1 km | 61 m | 1 hr 34 min | Easy | April to October |
| Reversing Falls TrailMaine | 0.7 km | 0 m | 9 min | Easy | April to October |
Great Circle Trail, Quoddy Coast Guard Trail, Dipper Cove Path currently rank highest in this filtered set according to the directory score. Open an individual route to inspect its mapped line, elevation profile, data source and planning caveats. Check live access, conditions and local rules with an official source before travelling.
Frequently asked questions
Plan with more confidence
All planning articles →Choosing a route
How to choose a hike beyond the difficulty label
Compare distance, climbing, route shape and missing information to build a shortlist that fits your day.
Read article →Understanding the map
Read an elevation profile without misreading the climb
Understand total ascent, net height change, profile scale and the section breakdown on each mapped route.
Read article →Planning your day
Build a hiking time plan with room for your own pace
Separate moving time, climbing allowance and stops, then explore how changing your assumptions changes the plan.
Read article →Related guides
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