Maiden Cliff, located in Camden, ME, is a beautiful 1.7-mile loop trail with an elevation gain of 731 feet. You can access the trail from either the Camden Hills State Park or off Turnpike Dr in Camden, where we started our hike. The two trailheads connect halfway through, offering a moderate hike with scenic lake views and a peaceful atmosphere. Dogs are welcome on a leash, making it a great choice for pet owners. Whether you’re looking for a quiet escape in nature or a challenging hike, Maiden Cliff is definitely worth exploring. To learn more, check out the AllTrails information and map here.
We arrived at the trailhead later than we had hoped, with the sun already starting to set. Knowing we needed to pick up the pace, we set off quickly, though I still made sure to enjoy the beauty of nature around me. As we hiked through the forest, a stream ran alongside the trail, staying with us until we reached a split in the path. We had to cross a small bridge where the stream flowed through the middle of the trail. After crossing, we noticed some trail damage—likely from a recent storm—and the path was blocked off. Luckily, a new trail had been created just to the right, though it didn’t look like it had been used much. Despite that, it was clear where the trail went, so we continued on without hesitation.
When we reached the trail split, we chose to take a left onto the Maiden Cliff Trail, opting for an out-and-back route instead of taking a right onto the Scenic Trail for the full loop. Our main reason for this choice was wanting to catch the sunset from the summit and avoid hiking back down in complete darkness. At the time, we thought the left trail would be the quicker option, but it turns out that both trails are actually about the same distance.
As we took the left at the trail split, the trail began to steepen, and it became even more noticeable as we made our way up the mountain. The path turned rockier, almost like a natural staircase, which helped with the ascent, though it was still pretty steep. Despite getting a little winded, it was easy to stay focused because the sunset between the trees created a beautiful golden hour view. With every step, we knew we were getting closer to the summit, where the view would be something I still think about today.
Once we made it past the rocky staircase, the trail led us back into the forest. Some of the trees were bare, while others still had their leaves, creating a nice balance for this time of year. This mix allowed us to catch glimpses of the lake and surrounding mountains as the sun set above. As we crested the last hill and rounded the corner to the summit, we could see how close we were. Most of the trees near the top were bare, unlike the ones we’d passed on the way up, and I could already tell the view over the lake was going to be incredible.
The trail we followed led us to the side of the mountain with a stunning view of Lake Megunticook and the Elenora French Cross. The sky was a bright blue, gradually fading into a beautiful orange and pink ombre as the sun began to set. The lake’s surface reflected the sunset perfectly, creating a peaceful scene. We brought a simple picnic—just a Subway sandwich and a cookie—and enjoyed it at the summit. As we ate, we watched the sun dip behind the mountain across the lake, and with every passing minute, the sky turned more orange. In that moment, I couldn’t help but wish I could experience this magical view every night.
We got so caught up in the beauty of the sunset that we didn’t realize we had stayed at the summit longer than we planned. Once we finally noticed, we quickly packed up our picnic, drank some water, and started the hike back down. Since we lingered so long, the trail was darker than we expected, and we hadn’t brought flashlights. Thankfully, the flashlight on our phones did the trick. The good news was that the descent was faster than the climb, so we made it back to the car just as it was getting dark and the stars were starting to appear.
Hiking Maiden Cliff was an unforgettable experience. The trail, though challenging in parts, led us through beautiful forested areas and up a rocky staircase that made the climb exciting. As we made our way to the summit, the sun began to set, casting a stunning golden hour glow through the trees. When we reached the top, we were treated to a breathtaking view of Lake Megunticook with vibrant colors stretching across the sky. It was the perfect spot to relax, enjoy a simple picnic, and take in the peace of the moment. Although we stayed a bit too long and had to navigate the descent in the dark, the hike was completely worth it. The entire journey, from the quiet forest to the stunning views, reminded me of how special it is to step away from the everyday hustle and truly appreciate nature’s beauty.
Do you have any hiking trails you’d recommend? I’d love to hear your suggestions!
I’d love to hear your recommendations for my next hiking adventure! Feel free to reach out to me through my social media links below or shoot me an email at hellopeaceofmindy@gmail.com. Let’s connect and share trail ideas!
All the photos featured in this blog post were taken by me, unless otherwise noted.
