Cutler Coast: A Backpacking Adventure or Stunning Day Hike
A One-Night Adventure on Maine’s Bold Coast
Dramatic cliffs, whale watching, stunning campsites and MUCH more make this overnight backpacking trip the best coastal wilderness experience in Maine.
If we were to make a list of “Hikes with whales in Maine”, this would be our number one 🐳. Seals, porpoises, bald eagles 🦅, and even moose and bear live in this ecosystem. All five primitive campsites are stunning - but we do recommend trying this one mid-week. While you can check the logbook at the trailhead to see if campsites are available, you can’t reserve a site in advance, so if they’re all full, it can be a huge bummer. With all this said, this is, in our opinion, the best hike in Maine. If it turns into a day hike because the campsites are full, it’s still 100% worth it.
Location: Cutler
Distance: 10.2 miles (Loop)
Difficulty: Moderate/Hard (uneven terrain, steep cliffs)
Shoutout to Maine’s DACF for beautiful and helpful maps it provides - see more here!
Day 1: Coastal Views and a Night by the Ocean
Start early!
The adventure begins at the Cutler Coast parking area, where you set off clockwise on the Coastal Trail. After the first mile through serene coastal bogs and forests, the dense canopy opens up to reveal panoramic views of the Bay of Fundy 🌊, with rugged cliffs dropping steeply to the churning waters below. The next few miles follow the undulating coastline, passing rocky headlands, pocket coves, and patches of wind-stunted spruce 🌲. Each viewpoint is worth a stop and peer into the distance for wildlife. In the summer, be on the lookout for whales 🐋 — humpback, northern right, minke, and finback. Seeing a whale should be considered a treat, because they’re not super common, but the unique vantage point of the 100+ foot cliffs gives you the best option around. So bring binoculars! Seals, ospreys, bald eagles, and literally 200 other species also frequent the area 🐦. Last year, a hiker even spotted a black bear swimming across a pocket cove (we saw the video, it wasn’t just a huge seal 😂).
At around 2.8 miles, the trail reaches the first designated camping area, Black Point, where a freshwater brook (a rare water source on the trail) passes through the trail. It’s probably wise to fill up your water at this point. Definitely use a filter! You can camp here, and it’s beautiful, but the next four sites are out of this world.
Continue the journey along the coast until you reach Long Point. If it’s available, camp here (thank us later 😁). There’s a beautiful, secluded pebble beach below your campsite, and the panoramic ocean and coastline views are simply unbeatable.
If someone is camping at Long Point, do not fret! Three primitive sites sit perched above the water, also with spectacular views, at Fairy Head. Regardless of where you camp, the process of setting up camp will be the most enjoyable chore you’ve done all year — with the distant roar of waves providing a peaceful soundtrack — and on clear evenings, the sunset over the bay will provide a movie-like backdrop (honestly, so will the fog if it’s cloudy).
Day 2: The Inland Return
After waking to the sound of seabirds and crashing waves, hikers pack up and begin the return journey via the Inland Trail. This section of the loop trades sweeping ocean views for a quiet walk through Maine’s lush coastal forests. The trail winds through moss-covered woodlands, crossing wooden bog bridges and passing small ponds.
While less dramatic than the Coastal Trail, the Inland Trail offers its own sense of solitude and beauty. The final miles pass through open meadows before reconnecting with the Coastal Trail near the parking area, completing the loop. For the varied terrain you’ll encounter on this rugged Maine hike, check out this gallery! 🥾
Essential Tips
Parking: The gravel parking lot has limited spaces, so arriving early is recommended, especially on weekends. There is no entrance fee, but hikers are asked to sign in at the trail register before setting out.
Camping: No reservations required, but sites are first-come, first-served. Fires are not permitted, so bring a camp stove.
Tides & Weather: The coastal section can be slippery when wet, and fog is common—be prepared for changing conditions.
Leave No Trace: The area is remote and pristine; pack out all trash and minimize impact. Follow our Leave No Trace+ approach - pick up one piece of trash you find, leaving the experience better than you found it 😁
Best Time to Go
The best months for backpacking the Cutler Coast are late spring through early fall. In June and July, wildflowers are in full bloom, and the days are long, but the blackflies and mosquitoes can be relentless. By August and September, the bugs subside, and the air begins to cool, making for perfect hiking conditions. October brings stunning fall foliage, but the coastal winds can be strong, and temperatures drop quickly at night.
What to Bring
Since the Cutler Coast is a remote backcountry area with no services, hikers must be fully self-sufficient. So treat this like any other overnight backpacking trip, but for this one, key gear includes:
Plenty of water or a filtration system – There are no reliable fresh water sources on the trail.
Warm layers – Even in summer, coastal breezes can make nights chilly.
Sturdy shoes – The trail is uneven, with exposed roots and slippery rocks.
Bug spray and a head net – Essential in early summer.
Map and compass or GPS – While the trail is well-marked, fog can roll in unexpectedly, reducing visibility.
Binoculars – Whales…enough said.
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