Looking to go for a bicycle ride along the Maine coast?
Three friends and I had decided to ride some coastal Maine cycling routes and cherry-picked the best and most scenic ones.
With these 7 Coastal Maine Bike Routes, you will be almost certain to include the popular coastal area near Portland, which is where we started our cycle vacation. The bike culture in Maine is second to none, combined with spectacular scenery and friendly people. Maine is considered one of the most cycling-friendly states in the USA, and we found the drivers on the roads very considerate of cyclists.
Use my helpful guide to visit all of these great rides!
Cycling the coast of Maine, you might expect lighthouses, quaint villages with colorful buoys and fishing boats in the harbor, and the opportunity for great seafood dinners, although the wild blueberry pies caught my attention as well. And perhaps the best way to explore the coast of Maine is by bicycle, as numerous people do.
Insider Tip: The only warning I have is that there are few bike route signs, so maps or having a GPS is essential. Okay, another thing: if you head inland, expect major climbs as things get hilly quickly.
1. East Coast Greenway Coastal Maine Cycling Routes
The East Coast Greenway is a long-distance bicycle trail suitable for bicycle touring or anyone just riding short sections. It is mainly a rail trail in Maine.
You can either cycle the East Coast Greenway, which goes from St. Stephen in New Brunswick on the Canadian border and continues into the United States through Maine on its way to Key West, Florida, or base yourself in a few locations and ride sections on daily trips, which is what we did.
The East Coast Greenway starts at the Canadian border (New Brunswick), where the first section is a rail trail as it heads south, eventually to Florida.
The 87-mile Down East Sunrise Trail is a section of the East Coast Greenway from Ellsworth (near Bar Harbor & Acadia) to Ayers Junction near the Canadian border. It is the longest rail trail in New England and a great place to maybe see moose, beaver, and other wildlife.
2. Brunswick, Maine Cycling Route
The Freeport to Brunswick is a short inland ride over rolling hills, returning along the East Coast Greenway, which has ocean views in spots.
On the day we arrived, two cycling groups invited us along. Noticing our cycling jerseys and bicycles, an employee from LL Bean located in Freeport said they offered an evening cycling ride, and when in Brunswick, a local club invited us to join them. What a welcome to Maine!
Freeport itself is brim full of interesting shops, including the head office of LL Bean, which has several stores, including bike shops. It all began with Leon Leonwood Bean over 80 years ago.
We started our cycling ride in front of the LL Bean store in Freeport, Maine, and headed on local roads with rolling hills for 20 to 35 miles to the quaint university town of Brunswick. We stopped for a break in the center of town, where the local cycling club was planning a ride and invited us along. Tired after the long drive getting to Maine, we declined but appreciated the offer.
The central part of the town of Brunswick features a nice park located next to the home of pretty Bowdoin College, which also houses an art museum. If you continue along, you get to see some nice homes.
The return cycle to Freeport was along the coast (East Coast Greenway) with the odd view of the ocean and Casco Bay, and much flatter terrain. A great introduction to cycling in Maine.
3. Portland Lighthouse Route Cycling
The Portland and Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse tour is about 41 miles long and takes you past four lighthouses and the old port area of Portland. Expect a few rolling hills, but this is an easy journey. The bridge across Portland Harbor has bike lanes for safe riding to the south.
This New England Bicycle tour starts in Portland, Maine, along the Eastern Promenade Trail. The route actually begins in a city park on Back Cove, located at the north end of the city, where you will find Back Cove, a large bay surrounded by parks, where you can cycle for 3 miles around.
Then we cycled the Eastern Promenade coastal bike path, which is a paved trail, before entering the Portland Old Port area. Portland itself features an old port and a picturesque shopping area worthy of a visit, as in the 18th and 19th centuries, this area was a bustling shipping center. Just watch traffic as you cycle through this historic district.
A little further on, you will see the massive Casco Bay Bridge across Portland Harbor. Don’t worry, as there are bike lanes on the bridge for safe cycling and impressive views.
You will require a bike map (or GPS) as this is not a signed route; however, the roads are easy to identify and follow. This first part is through a residential neighborhood, but you soon get into the fairly flat countryside. The entire route is flat with some gentle hills once you reach the coastal area.
Typical of your New England Bicycle Tour, quiet roads greet the cyclist as you visit coastal communities, various coves piled high with lobster traps, and see elegant homes lining the route.
You can expect to see Cape Elizabeth and Portland Head Lighthouse located in Fort Wellington Park, as you cycle along the scenic shore on this 41-mile route. As you travel along, do check them out as well as Two Lights State Park and Crescent Beach State Park for some swimming, and where one sign at a snack bar warned us to guard our food as the seagulls loved their cooking as well.
South of the Casco Bay bridge, this is a circular route, so on the return, it takes you up a hill and rides you through the University grounds to the coast for views of the Spring Point Ledge Light, offshore islands, and the harbor.
In Bug Light Park in South Portland, you can see that the Breakwater Lighthouse was built in 1875, and some consider it to be one of the most elegant lighthouses in the State of Maine. It was called “Bug Light” due to its small size. Then take the paved bicycle path back to the bridge for the return across the harbor.
4. Southern Maine Coast Cycling Tour
The southern coast tour takes you into the resort town of Kennebunkport, from where you can continue along the coast passing elegant homes, including former President George Bush’s summer home.
Cape Porpoise is a typical coastal town with lobster traps piled high and a fabulous chowder house with a patio overlooking the ocean. This area is fairly flat, and you can connect with the East Coast Greenway as it heads to the New Hampshire border.
We started this ride in Biddeford along Highway 1 and headed along Highway 208 (there was almost no traffic) and the Saco River toward the coast. The East Point Audubon Sanctuary has a waterfront park located here with very limited parking. When you arrive, take the short out-and-back 1.6-mile trail that provides views of Wood Island Lighthouse, Saco Bay, and the Gulf of Maine. The park is one of the best birding areas in southern Maine.
We continued our ride along Highway 9 (Mills Road), passing Marsh Point, where we had to stop as a class of artists was at work painting the scene in front of them. The roads in this area are flat with little traffic except in a few of the towns.
We turned and continued our ride to Cape Porpoise. At the town center, go right along a winding road with plenty of views of the bay with the many fishing boats before arriving at Cape Porpoise Town Landing and Park. You must go into the Chowder House for some seafood to enjoy at one of the picnic tables overlooking fishing boats to one side and a pile of lobster traps on the other. I can recommend the clam chowder, although others enjoyed a lobster roll.
Cross the Kennebrook River and head right along Ocean Drive, which has a park with views of the ocean, town, and sailboats offshore. Stop for a visit to the stone building that is St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, before continuing past some really elegant homes, including one owned by the Bush family.
There are 30 miles of sandy beaches in this area, along with golf courses and numerous hotels, but we headed over to the tourist town of Kennebunkport to check out the shops and restaurants. This area is a bit touristy, but I still loved it, and it is a good introduction to the coast.
5. Rockland, Maine Cycling Tour
It’s one of the coastal towns worth a stop. You take a short ride from the town of Rockland to Owl’s Head Lighthouse and back with magnificent coastal views and ocean breezes. Also, Rockland has plenty of seafood restaurants for a lunch stop.
We were pushed for time; otherwise, we would have stopped in Camden for the view of Penobscot Bay. However, we did stop in Rockland, home of the Maine Lobster Festival, for lunch at one of the waterfront restaurants, and there is a Lighthouse Museum just around the corner as well.
Time permitting, it is worth the easy cycle out to the park to see the Owl’s Head Light. Climb up the steps, and you will get some amazing views of the coast. This is a great day ride.
6. Acadia National Park Cycling
In Acadia National Park, cyclists have several options. First, there is the 27-mile loop road in the main part of the park; there are Carriage Roads for cyclists or hikers, and finally, the little-known neighboring Schoodic Peninsula.
Established in 1916, Acadia National Park welcomes over 2 million visitors a year. First, we stopped at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center located at the entrance to pick up maps, and we also viewed an interesting film on the history of the park.
If cycling into the park when you are approaching the Sand Beach Entrance Station, queue in line with vehicles and do not bypass the fee booth. Bicycling in Acadia National Park offers additional information.
The most popular option is the 27-mile Park Loop Road from the Acadia National Park Visitor Center around Mount Desert Island, passing the Thunder Hole, where the surf explodes as high as 40 feet amidst the rocks. You continue through the forested parkland, passing a few lakes. This is a 2-lane one-way road, which can get busy at times, so the Park Service does not recommend this ride from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The best time to ride is early morning on a mid-week day.
There are 45 miles of rustic carriage roads on Mt. Desert Island, with a gravel surface over hilly terrain, and shared with hikers and horseback riders. The construction of the carriage roads was the gift of philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. and his family.
A short detour is up Cadillac Mountain, which offers a steep, windy 3.5-mile climb to the summit for cyclists.
Loved this! Another ride took us from U.S. Highway 1 to the Schoodic Peninsula, which is perfect as the road in the park is one-way and quiet on weekdays, and gave us excellent views across Frenchman Bay to the main entrance of the park with a number of fishing villages along the way.
Do stop in Winter Harbor for baked goods and for a break before continuing into the Acadia National Park proper on the loop road.
The 2-lane road through the park is one way, and the peninsula provides plenty of views of the main section of the park, the bay, and the point. On the return ride, there is the opportunity to take a side trip for a short distance to the quaint fishing port of Corea.
6. Deer Isle Cycling
Although not located in the park, on another day trip, take the bridge to Deer Isle and climb on your bike for a super scenic loop ride of 31 to 46 miles to the village of Stonington with some nice restaurants and galleries. This is not a hard ride, but it does expect a few short and steep climbs along the way.
Another bicycle touring option in the same area is the Deer Isle route is slightly to the south of Bar Harbor, with the Penobscot River (with more challenging trails) on the other side. You will be basically cycling around this scenic island and through some small towns.
This Maine bicycle touring route takes you along the coast and through the picturesque fishing village of Winterhaven and the park along a one-way road, which, during our mid-week visit, was quite quiet. The highlight is the working fishing village of Stonington with many galleries and cafes.
Afterward, why not head to Bar Harbor for dinner at one of the seafood restaurants along the waterfront, some shopping, or join the line for one of the many-day cruises where you may be lucky enough to see a whale?
Coast of Maine Map
Coastal Maine Cycling Routes Resources
Visit Maine – Official tourist office with information on cycling and bike rentals
booking.com – For accommodation during your trip
Acadia National Park – Official website for the park
Safety Wing Travel Insurance – Essential insurance
FAQs: Coastal Maine Cycling Routes
Is Maine bike-friendly?
Yes, Maine is an incredibly bike-friendly state. It’s home to many well-maintained trails and scenic, quiet roads. I have found drivers to be patient and courteous around cyclists.
Are there bike paths in Maine?
A rail trail section of the East Coast Greenway, a long-distance trail that starts at the Canadian border and goes for almost 3,000 miles to Florida, should be considered. There are a few shorter local routes, such as Portland’s Eastern Promenade bike path and the 6.5-mile Kennebec River Rail Trail in the state capital of Augusta. Otherwise, in Maine, cyclists ride along quiet roads.
Can you bike around Acadia National Park?
Yes, the Park Loop Road, Cadillac Mountain, and the Carriage trails are all available for cycling. Also, the neighboring Schoodic Peninsula, which is part of the park, is great. However, cyclists must have a park entrance pass to ride in the park.
How long does it take to bike around Acadia National Park?
Cyclists would need 2 or 3 days to bike around Acadia. There is the 27-mile Park Loop, 45 miles of Carriage Roads, and the equally long Schoodic Peninsula. There are additional routes on Mount Desert Island.
Can you use e-bikes in Acadia National Park?
The National Park Service (NPS) will allow Class 1 electric bicycles (e-bikes) where traditional bicycles are allowed in Acadia National Park. The policy defines Class 1 e-bikes as electric bicycles equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to assist when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 mph.
Island Explorer buses and Bike Express trailers are not transporting e-bikes due to load limitations.
How hard is it to bike Cadillac Mountain?
Cadillac Mountain involves a steep 3.5-mile cycle ride from the main road to the summit. It’s a challenging ride but well worth it for cyclists who are up for the challenge. The views from the top of Cadillac Mountain are awe-inspiring and provide an incredible backdrop to any bike tour in Maine’s Acadia National Park. At the summit, you’ll find gift shops, restaurants, and numerous trails that you can explore.
What is the best month to visit Acadia National Park?
The best time to visit Acadia National Park is May to October. However, during the summer months, the park can be crowded with traffic, particularly at popular hiking trails and sights such as Thunder Hole.
Is Bar Harbor, Maine bike-friendly?
Bicycles can be rented from several shops in town for easy riding about town. However, longer routes tend to be more hilly and challenging.
Is Kennebunkport bike-friendly?
Yes, Kennebunkport is bike-friendly! The roads are well-maintained, with a great ride along Ocean Avenue with a historic church and elegant homes. The area also has several bike rental shops
Final Thoughts: Coastal Maine Cycling Routes
Of course, there are plenty of other bicycle touring options in Maine and New England; you can plan your own route with your guide to the best bike paths in New England. What you will find along the coast is delightful lighthouses, a rugged coast, picturesque fishing villages, and drivers who are most patient with cyclists.
This is a great route for families or cyclists wishing for a moderate day trip and introduction to a New England bicycle tour. Click on the link for other fun U.S. bicycle touring routes.
