This is our guide to running in Mid-Coast Maine, focused on some of the signature towns popular with visitors: Brunswick, Bath, Rockland, Rockport, Camden, Boothbay Harbor, Belfast, Stonington, and Castine, plus the islands of Ilseboro and Vinalhaven. We’ve stretched it up to Acadia National Park area as well.
In each area, we’ve researched 1-2 iconic routes. Some highlights:
Beach Runs. The coast is more rocky than sandy north of Portland. Popham Beach is a good running spot. Reid State Park offers Mile and Half Mile beaches.
Shore Roads. Some lovely shore roads in Rockland, Castine, and Ocean Point.
Hills and Challenges. Camden Hills State Park offers one of the highest points south of Acadia.
Best Run to a Lighthouse. The route in Castine out to Dye Head Lighthouse.
Best Big Loop: St. George. East to follow loops of 7, 9, 11.5 miles. Also a great 9-mile loop on Vinalhaven.
Park or Preserve. Camden Hills State Park is a great running challenge, while Witherle Woods in Castine has 6 miles of coastal woodland trails.
Best ‘Island’ Runs: Take the ferry from Camden to Islesboro and enjoy quiet coastal roads and gracious homes. Vinalhaven offers 49 miles of quiet roads for running.
Great Town Tours. Belfast, with its historic architecture, is an under-rated beauty. We also have good town tours of Brunswick and Bath.
Note: The geography in this area is comprised of long coves, or ‘fingers’, with a town located on the coastal point. Often, the roads leading to those points aren’t great for running — they’re long, hilly, and often lack a decent shoulder.
For even more great runs in Maine, see the links below.
