Whether you’re looking to spruce up your workout or simply hoping to soothe your soul, taking a relaxing walk outside in Maine can do wonders. There are lots of ways to get outside that include exploring Maine’s forests, but with as much coastline as we’ve got there’s no reason to always head to the hiking trails. Next time you’re looking for a little bit of outside time, head to these beaches for some of the most relaxing walks in the state.
- Ogunquit Beach, Ogunquit
XinhaiDude / TripAdvisor This three and a half mile sandy beach also has lovely dunes that make the area feel even larger than it is. They also serve as a separation between the ocean area and the scenic Ogunquit River. This is a great walk for kids who love searching for shells as there are lots of tiny treasures to find. There’s a large parking lot here that you’ll need to pay for, but also facilities and a lifeguard in the summer.
- Pine Point Beach, Scarborough
Shelly C / TripAdvisor This beautiful beach overlooks Saco Bay and begins at a lovely jetty. This area is great for walking, but it’s also a relaxing place to put your beach towel and spend the day. Come here at the end of the day to enjoy the sunset. You won’t find a lifeguard, but there are facilities and parking exists at a Municipal lot on Avenue 5. You’ll need to pay between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Fortune’s Rock Beach, Biddeford
Kevin M / TripAdvisor This beautiful stretch of coast can be found on Fortune’s Rock Road in Biddeford. The beach itself is about two-miles spanning Biddeford Pool towards Fortune’s Rocks. We love this beach for the ease of walking on the sand, which is packed quite hard and firm. You may even see people running here. From May to the start of September, you’ll find a lifeguard on duty, but there are no bathrooms and only limited parking options.
- Old Orchard Beach, OOB
berkshireyes / TripAdvisor One of the largest walks on this list, strolling in OOB might surprise you! The best area of this 7 mile walk is between East and West Grand Avenue. Make sure to time your visit in the early morning to avoid most of the crowds. Or, do the walk and then plan on spending the day at the pier and Palace Playland. There are plenty of facilities and parking here, as well as a lifeguard.
- Prouts Neck Cliff Walk, Scarborough
NativeMainer44 / TripAdvisor You’ll begin this walk at either Ferry Beach or Scarborough Beach, two beaches that bookend the walk. The nearly four mile route will take you past the Winslow Homer Studio, some of the most beautiful houses in southern Maine and quintessential rocky coastline. This is less beach and more trail, so there are no lifeguards or facilities.
- Goose Rocks Beach, Kennebunkport
Mrs-K-albany / TripAdvisor Head to Kennebunkport and you’ll find about three miles of beautiful scenic beach. If you time your visit with low tide you’ll be able to spot the off-shore reef in the distance. You’ll find the beach on Kings Highway in Kennebunkport. If you get lucky you may be able to find some parking spots on Kings Highway near the beach, otherwise parking is a bit tough here.
- Drake’s Island Beach, Wells
Steve K / TripAdvisor Head to Drakes Island Road in Wells to access this short, but wonderful walking beach. Plan to arrive in the morning to walk, then stay for a day at the beach in the dunes. This is a great beach for the day given that there are lifeguards, facilities and fairly easy parking options.
- York Harbor Beach, York
westie2 / TripAdvisor While small, this beautiful beach features a cove sandy beach with a rocky shoreline and a soft surf. Come around lunch time and pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in The Hartley Mason Park which is right next to the beach. There are facilities here and a lifeguard in the summer. There’s also a small amount of free parking located near the Route 1A entrance to Harbor Park.
This beautiful boardwalk trail in Maine is another great way to explore the state in a more leisurely way.
XinhaiDude / TripAdvisor
This three and a half mile sandy beach also has lovely dunes that make the area feel even larger than it is. They also serve as a separation between the ocean area and the scenic Ogunquit River. This is a great walk for kids who love searching for shells as there are lots of tiny treasures to find. There’s a large parking lot here that you’ll need to pay for, but also facilities and a lifeguard in the summer.
Shelly C / TripAdvisor
This beautiful beach overlooks Saco Bay and begins at a lovely jetty. This area is great for walking, but it’s also a relaxing place to put your beach towel and spend the day. Come here at the end of the day to enjoy the sunset. You won’t find a lifeguard, but there are facilities and parking exists at a Municipal lot on Avenue 5. You’ll need to pay between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Kevin M / TripAdvisor
This beautiful stretch of coast can be found on Fortune’s Rock Road in Biddeford. The beach itself is about two-miles spanning Biddeford Pool towards Fortune’s Rocks. We love this beach for the ease of walking on the sand, which is packed quite hard and firm. You may even see people running here. From May to the start of September, you’ll find a lifeguard on duty, but there are no bathrooms and only limited parking options.
berkshireyes / TripAdvisor
One of the largest walks on this list, strolling in OOB might surprise you! The best area of this 7 mile walk is between East and West Grand Avenue. Make sure to time your visit in the early morning to avoid most of the crowds. Or, do the walk and then plan on spending the day at the pier and Palace Playland. There are plenty of facilities and parking here, as well as a lifeguard.
NativeMainer44 / TripAdvisor
You’ll begin this walk at either Ferry Beach or Scarborough Beach, two beaches that bookend the walk. The nearly four mile route will take you past the Winslow Homer Studio, some of the most beautiful houses in southern Maine and quintessential rocky coastline. This is less beach and more trail, so there are no lifeguards or facilities.
Mrs-K-albany / TripAdvisor
Head to Kennebunkport and you’ll find about three miles of beautiful scenic beach. If you time your visit with low tide you’ll be able to spot the off-shore reef in the distance. You’ll find the beach on Kings Highway in Kennebunkport. If you get lucky you may be able to find some parking spots on Kings Highway near the beach, otherwise parking is a bit tough here.
Steve K / TripAdvisor
Head to Drakes Island Road in Wells to access this short, but wonderful walking beach. Plan to arrive in the morning to walk, then stay for a day at the beach in the dunes. This is a great beach for the day given that there are lifeguards, facilities and fairly easy parking options.
westie2 / TripAdvisor
While small, this beautiful beach features a cove sandy beach with a rocky shoreline and a soft surf. Come around lunch time and pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in The Hartley Mason Park which is right next to the beach. There are facilities here and a lifeguard in the summer. There’s also a small amount of free parking located near the Route 1A entrance to Harbor Park.
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