The Most Remote Coastal Trail in Maine
The Bold Coast Trail is what happens when you drive past every tourist town, past every harbor with a lobster shack, past everything familiar, and keep going until the road feels like it might run out. In the tiny fishing village of Cutler, on the far Downeast coast of Washington County, a trail drops into spruce forest and emerges on cliffs that plunge 100 feet straight into the North Atlantic. It is the most dramatic coastal scenery in Maine, and hardly anyone knows about it.
The Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land encompasses 12,234 acres of the boldest coastline in the state. “Bold coast” is a geographic term referring to areas where the land meets the sea abruptly, with cliffs and headlands rather than gradual beaches. This stretch of coast defines the term. Dark basalt cliffs drop vertically into churning surf, cobblestone pocket beaches sit wedged between rocky headlands, and the ocean stretches east toward Nova Scotia with nothing in between.
The Route: Cliffs and Beaches
The trail begins at a small gravel parking lot on Route 191, about 4.5 miles south of Cutler village. A wooden sign and registration box mark the trailhead.
Out-and-Back to the Cliffs (4.2 miles round trip)
Most hikers take the Coastal Trail out to the cliff viewpoints and return the same way. From the parking area, the path heads south through a dense spruce and fir forest. The first mile is flat and quiet, following a well-worn path through thick moss and over exposed roots. You can hear the ocean before you see it.
At roughly the one-mile mark, the trail reaches the coast, and the view opens up. The first clifftop overlook is a flat granite ledge with a sheer drop to the waves below. From here, the trail follows the cliff edge south, passing through pockets of wind-stunted spruce and across open headlands. Each point offers a slightly different perspective: some look north along the cliffline, others south toward the distant headlands, and several face straight out to sea.
The trail continues to two cobblestone pocket beaches, accessible via short, steep scrambles down from the cliff trail. These small crescents of smooth, rounded stones are gorgeous, wild places to sit and listen to the waves. The stones clatter and shift with each wave, creating a sound you will not hear on a sand beach.
Full Inland Loop (approximately 10 miles)
For a longer day, continue past the pocket beaches on the Coastal Trail to where it turns inland and connects with the Inland Trail, forming a loop back to the parking area. The full loop covers roughly 10 miles over rolling terrain. The inland section passes through old-growth spruce stands, bogs with pitcher plants and sundew, and several small streams. It is less scenic than the coastal section but offers genuine backcountry solitude. Three primitive campsites along the loop are available for backpackers on a first-come, first-served basis.
What Makes the Bold Coast Different
Maine has hundreds of miles of coastline, but most of it is low-lying rocky shore, tidal flats, or sandy beaches. The Bold Coast is geologically distinct. The cliffs here are composed of volcanic rock formed 400 million years ago, uplifted and carved by the sea into the sheer walls you see today. The result is a coastline that feels more like the Scottish Highlands or the cliffs of Newfoundland than anything else in New England.
The remoteness adds to the experience. You are five hours from Portland and nearly three from Bangor. Washington County has a population density lower than many western states. On the trail, you are far from crowds, gift shops, and the polished infrastructure of more popular parks. The solitude is genuine. On a weekday in June, you may not see another hiker.
The wildlife reflects the wildness. Bald eagles nest along the cliffs, harbor seals haul out on rocks below, and in late summer, you might spot whales feeding offshore. The spruce forest is home to boreal species like spruce grouse and boreal chickadees that are uncommon further south.
When to Go
The Bold Coast trail is accessible year-round, but the best hiking window runs from late May through October.
Summer (June through August) brings the mildest temperatures, though “mild” on the Downeast coast means highs in the 60s with fog rolling in regularly. Bring layers and a rain jacket regardless of the forecast. Fog can materialize in minutes and obscure the cliff edges, making careful footing essential. On clear summer days, the contrast between the dark cliffs, blue ocean, and green spruce is unforgettable.
Fall (September and October) offers clear skies, reduced fog, and practically empty trails. The spruce forest stays green, but bogs and understory shrubs add autumn color. The angle of autumn light on the cliffs is particularly beautiful in the late afternoon.
Winter hiking is possible for experienced hikers with proper gear, but the access road can be icy, the cliffs are exposed to brutal winds, and the nearest help is far away. Spring brings mud and black flies. Late May is the earliest most hikers would find conditions pleasant.
Safety and Practical Concerns
The cliff edges are unfenced and unguarded. Drops are vertical and fatal. Stay well back from the edge, especially in fog or wet conditions when the rock is slippery. Keep dogs leashed and under control near the cliffs. Children need close supervision.
Cell service is nonexistent throughout the hike and in Cutler village. The nearest reliable cell coverage is in Machias, about 20 miles west. Bring a map (the trailhead has a posted map you can photograph), tell someone your plans, and carry a first aid kit.
The nearest hospital is Down East Community Hospital in Machias, roughly 30 minutes by car. For a serious cliff fall or injury, rescue response times will be lengthy. Hike conservatively and make smart decisions about weather and conditions.
Getting There
From Bangor, take Route 1A to Ellsworth, then Route 1 east to Machias, and Route 191 south toward Cutler. The trailhead parking lot is on the right (west) side of Route 191, about 4.5 miles south of Cutler village. The lot holds 15 to 20 cars and is marked with a small brown sign. There are no restrooms or facilities at the trailhead. The nearest gas station and general store are in Cutler.
The drive from Portland takes about five hours. From Bangor, budget just under three hours. Either way, plan to make a day of it. Machias has restaurants, a grocery store, and a gas station for supplies. If you want to extend the trip, the fishing village of Lubec (home of West Quoddy Head, the easternmost point in the U.S.) is about 40 minutes north and makes an excellent companion destination.
The Bold Coast Trail asks you to drive farther than almost any other hike in this guide. It rewards that commitment with something you cannot find anywhere else in Maine: raw, vertical, wild coastline that has looked this way for thousands of years and, with any luck, will continue to look this way for thousands more.