Camden Hills - Maiden Cliff Network

Visit Maiden Cliff for a short hike to overlooks of Megunticook Lake or utilize these town trails as a starting point to explore the extensive trail network of connected Camden Hills State Park. 
Trail Activity
Snowshoeing Hiking
Length
1.80 miles, Network
Difficulty
Moderate, Advanced
Town
Camden
Surface
Dirt/Forest Floor, Rock/Ledge
Pets
Permitted
Fees
No

Description

HIGH USE TRAIL:

This is a busy trail system, especially on weekends between 9AM-4PM. Consider visiting outside of peak periods. Use Maine Trail Finder to identify other nearby trails. If the parking lot is full when you arrive, please choose another trail. 

The Maiden Cliff Trail (1 mile, moderate) offers an ascent to some spectacular views from cliffs that tower 800' over Megunticook Lake. The trail gradually follows a brook for the first half-mile, after which the path takes a somewhat steeper climb, culminating at a plateau. The trail traverses open ledges at the top of the cliff, leading to a notable destination, where a large steel cross commemorates Elenora French, who fell to her death here in 1862 at 11 years of age.

Continuing on from Maiden Cliff Trail to Scenic Trail (0.8 mile, moderate) will provide another ascent of 120' to Miller ledges that afford an expansive view of Ragged and Bald Mountains to the west of Camden as well as the entire expanse of Megunticook Lake.

From the ledges, hikers may choose to continue along the Ridge Trail headed into the interior of Camden Hills State Park or return via the Ridge Trail to the parking area and trailhead for Maiden Cliff.

Maiden Cliff, Scenic, and Ridge Trails combine to serve as one of the most popular hikes in the Camden Hills, further enhanced by a town-owned beach, picnic area and boat launch just across ME Route 52 from the trailhead.

View BPL's map and guide for Camden Hills State Park.

Other Information

In addition to hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, Camden Hills allows opportunities for picnicking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, hunting and camping. Please exercise caution on ledge and rock areas, especially in wet conditions. Firewood can transport invasive insects and diseases. Do not transport firewood. Please buy it locally and help protect our forests!

Natural Heritage HikesNatural Heritage Hikes is a project of the Maine Natural Areas Program in partnership with Maine Trail Finder. View the "Camden Hills State Park - Maiden Cliff Trail" guide online here

Trail Manager

Visit the Town of Camden or Camden Hills State Park online for more information and a printable map or contact:

Town of Camden

Town of Camden
PO Box 1207
29 Elm Street
Camden, Maine 04843
Phone: (207) 236-3353
Fax: (207) 236-7956
View website

Nearby Events

VIEW EVENTS CALENDAR

Trail Tips

Respect Wildlife
Keep wildlife wild: do not feed, follow, approach, or otherwise harass wild animals. Doing so may alter their natural behaviors.
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Trailhead Information

From Camden, travel north on US Route 1 to the intersection of US Route 1 and ME Route 52. Follow ME Route 52 north for approximately 2.8 miles. The parking area for Maiden Cliff will be on the right.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
Please Log In or Create Account to add comments.
Lfarrin
August 31, 2014
Hiked this trail today (8/31/14) for the second time (first time 20+ years ago!) Enjoyed a spectacular view of Megunticook Lake, watched boaters below and several turkey vultures or hawks riding the wind currents. We opted to do the full loop - Maiden's Cliff to Scenic Trail then back to parking lot. There is no fee for the Maiden's Cliff trail.
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