| Acadia National Park, Me | more info
April 1, 2010 | Statewide, Me | more info
October 6, 2019 | Acadia National Park, Me | more info
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Bustling towns, scenic harbors, picturesque bayscapes, delightful villages and spectacular mountains-to-the-sea views make Downeast hugely popular among cyclists. The region is home to the breathtaking Acadia National Park as well as numerous easily reached islands.
Highlights: beaches, swimming holes, bicycling, foliage viewing, hiking trails, islands, lake, pond, river views, lighthouses, mountain views, ocean views, skiing, state/national park, wildlife
Connected to the mainland by a bridge, Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park are the most frequently visited locations in Maine. Travelers can bike to their hearts content on miles of interconnected carriage roads - and hike one of 26 mountains. Plus, 22 lakes and ponds, beaches and natural wonders provide plenty of relaxation.
Highlights: bicycling, boating, canoeing, kayaking, foliage viewing, hiking trails, lake, pond, river views, mountain views, ocean views, wildlife
This quiet highway is just a few miles from busy Route 1, but seems worlds away. Great gray owls and bald eagles soar overhead as visitors travel from Franklin to Cherryfield, which serve as gateways to this byway. Visitors will enjoy the sight of rich blueberry barrens on nearby hillsides. Cherryfield is known as the "Wild Blueberry Capital of the World."
Highlights: boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, foliage viewing, fourwheeling, hiking trails, lake, pond, river views, mountain views, skiing, snowmobiling, wildlife
Here a warm welcome awaits the traveler in the rural communities along the byway route. Aptly called the "Million Dollar View", this stretch of U. S. Route 1 offers travelers unsurpassed views of the Chiputneticook chain of lakes including East Grand, Brackett and Deering (all teeming with fish). Travelers can also view rolling hayfields, Mount Katahdin, Peekaboo Mountain and the landscape of New Brunswick, Canada. Travelers may spot local wildlife including bears, deer, eagles, loons and moose. Scenic turnouts provide front-row seating for the vast and impressive views to the east and west.
Highlights: bicycling, canoeing, kayaking, foliage viewing, hiking trails, islands, lighthouses, mountain views, ocean views, state/national park, wildlife
This route passes through the only mainland section of Acadia National Park and beautiful Schoodic Point. The cold North Atlantic waters of Downeast Maine are filled with lobster boats and the coast is lined with wooden piers, lighthouses and wildlife. Take in majestic views of Cadillac Mountain and Mount Desert Island along this drive. This area also is famous for rolling hills lush with wild blueberries.
Highlights: bicycling, boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, foliage viewing, fourwheeling, hiking trails, historical landmarks, ocean views, skiing, snowmobiling, wildlife
The Bold Coast Scenic Byway provides an opportunity to experience the unique beauty, culture, history, and recreational opportunities of Downeast Maine and Coastal Washington County. From beginning to end, the Bold Coast Scenic Byway is characterized by rocky coastlines teeming with seabirds and seals, sparkling harbors bustling with lobster-, scallop-, and ground-fishing boats, colorful beaches riddled with tide pools to explore, mysterious fog banks enshrouding the dense coastal forests, panoramic blueberry barrens glowing blue in summer and red in fall, glorious sunrises and sunsets, and a dark night sky brilliant with stars.