3 Serene Winter Walks in Downeast Maine
Escape the Crowds and Embrace the Coast
Downeast Maine is the beating heart of the state—wild, rugged, and refreshingly untamed. In winter, when the summer crowds are long gone, the coastline transforms into a windswept masterpiece, and the forests whisper with nothing but the sound of your own footsteps.
Two of the hikes I mention in this article meander along the dramatic, ice-fringed coastline, and the third takes you inland, tracing a winding stream where snow-dusted pines and frozen cascades make for a peaceful, storybook setting. If you crave quiet trails, salty air, and the magic of a Maine winter, these three walks belong on your list!
P.s., if you want to see my summer/fall hidden gem recs - check out this article!
Wrap up your winter with a bang - see you out there (just don’t forget your gear 😁)
TAKE YOUR CAMPING TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Ever struggle finding campsites? Hipcamp has your problem solved. We at Maine Hikes love to use Hipcamp for a unique and secluded camping experiences - and as a launching pad for our hiking adventures. Use this link to check out unique, privately owned, camping sites across Maine. Book a spot now to snag a spot for the summer before they fill up! If you do, it’ll help us fund our next article 🤍🙏😀⛺🏕🥾
1. Harriman Point Preserve (Brooklin)
Oh Harriman Point Preserve…how I love you! Located in Brooklin, near Blue Hill this 138 acre preserve is perfect for the winter! Why? Well, in the summer sometimes the mosquitoes could carry you away! You don’t have to worry about out that this time of year!
The entire trail is FLAT so you don’t have to worry about icy hills. You start by walking through the woods until you reach the old road where the Maine Coast Heritage Trust gate is…follow the road until you reach the signs. Head right to the Eastern Beach for amazing views across Blue Hill Bay to Mount Desert Island and the peaks of Acadia National Park. Follow the coast to the left for more coastal views until you reach Allen Cove where you can see the author E.B. White’s old home.
The parking lot has room for approximately 8 cars and please respect the neighbors privacy along the first part of the trail as they were nice enough to give the land easement. This is an off leash friendly trail as long as they are under voice command! 🐕🦺🐶
Distance: 2.8 miles (Loop)
Difficulty: Easy
Trailkeeper: Maine Coast Heritage Trust (more info and map here!)
2. Patten Stream Preserve (Surry)
Patten Stream Preserve, probably my most used preserve because it’s so close to where I live. It is only 41 acres but it had a special place in my heart. On Warren Lane in Surry, near the post office is a small parking lot. It’s enough for 4 cars and please don’t park in the road as there is a working quarry also on the road.
There are some small hills and it can be icy in the winter so bring your spikes! But, for minimal effort you can be walking next to a hopefully snow covered stream. Small waterfalls, boulders and “ice bells” dangle from fallen logs across the water. There is a South and North Loop. You have to start at the South Loop from the parking lot. Do the trail clockwise. Both loops are only 1.5 miles.
Dogs are welcome but must stay on a leash.
Distance: 3.0 mile network
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailkeeper: Blue Hill Heritage Trust (more info and maps here!)
3. Bog Brook Preserve - Norse Pond (Cutler)
This 2.4 mile hike located about 6 miles down the road past Cutler is worth the drive in my opinion. It doesn’t have the easily obtained, dramatic coastal views of its sister preserve just down the road at the Moose Cove section of Bog Brook. What you WILL find here is peace and freaking quiet, a winding trail through beautiful forest to stunning Bog Brook Cove Beach.
Please respect the two houses way up on the bluff overlooking the beach and only use the stairs going down to the beach. Be careful crossing Bog Brook Steam at the start of the beach. It was frozen over when I was last there. You will find unusual rock formations at mid to low tide.
Take your time walking along this cobble beach and listen for the rocks being dragged back and forth by the ocean — one of my absolute favorite sounds.
Distance: 2.8 miles (Loop)
Difficulty: Easy
Trailkeeper: Maine Coast Heritage Trust (more info and maps here!)
Check out our shop - with designs of your favorite trails by local Maine artists!
