Camden, Maine is one of the most beautiful coastal towns in New England. It has stunning mountain views, gorgeous coastlines, a charming downtown, lighthouses, and no shortage of sailboats. Probably the most iconic spot out of all of these is the view of Camden Harbor from the top of Mount Battie.
The Trail
There are quite a few ways to get to the summit of Mount Battie. I’ll go over a few of the other options later in this post but the route I chose to take was the Mount Battie trail.
Getting to the Trailhead
To get to the trailhead you’ll want to turn off of Washington St. on to Spring St. Almost immediately after, you’ll take a left onto Megunticook St. You’ll find a small lot (room for about six cars or so) at the top of the road. Keep in mind that there are no facilities at this trailhead.
Hiking Mount Battie
I would rate this hike on the difficult side of Moderate. While it is pretty short, there are a couple sections that require you to be hands free in order to navigate along narrow rock ledges and pull yourself up.
The trail is pretty steep right from the start. When I was there, there were a few sections at the beginning of the hike with wet rocks and muddy tracks. With the fallen leaves, these conditions could have become very slippery with more rainfall.
After a short distance you’ll come across the two sections that cause the near hard trail rating. The first one is a series of flat rock faces that you have to navigate around and the second section is a thin stretch of steep jagged rocks. While this second section is a narrower trail. It’s a little easier to hold on to than the first section. However, for someone who is new to hiking I could see that this might be a little intimidating. Keep in mind this is also the route down. I found the way back to be pretty hard on the knees and I ended up butt scooting in a couple places.
Don’t worry though because after this section you’ll see it was worth it for the stunning views behind you. There’s just one more section of flat rock faces to ascend (slightly less steep than the first), and then the trail levels out. The remainder of the trail is relatively easy in comparison.
The Summit
When you get to the top, you’ll first come across the 26 foot stone tower which was erected in 1921. You can climb the spiral staircase to the top to admire the view of Camden Harbor or enjoy it from the ground. There is plenty of room on the summit, even on the weekends when it can get a little crowded. I spent about 2 1/2 hours here and while the hike didn’t take that long I had a wonderful time taking photos and connecting with a fellow photographer on top of the mountain.
Alternative Routes
Mount Battie Auto Road
If you’re looking for a more accessible way to experience the views on top of Mount Battie there is an auto road that gives access to the summit. It’s open during the spring summer and fall and occasionally plowed during the winter. If you put Mount Battie Rd into your phone’s map it should lead you there. There is a small entrance fee for non Maine residents.
Mount Battie via Nature Trail Trailhead
This 2.7 mile hike brings you through a beautiful forest path to the top of Mount Battie. Although there’s still a fair bit of up and down on the trail, it’s a great option if you’re looking to avoid the steeper sections described above. The trail starts within the boundaries of the state park so there is a small entrance fee of $6 per person for out of state visitors.
Mount Battie via Carriage Road
The Carriage Road trail is a 2.4 mile out and back which also offers an easier route to the top. When Mt. Battie became a part of Camden Hills State Park in 19481 this trail was the only access to the summit so there’s a little bit of history associated with this trail as well!
Mount Megunticook, Maiden Cliff, and Mount Battie Loop
If you’re looking for a longer hiking day try this 8.6 mile loop. It will bring you through three of the area’s most popular hikes with views of Penobscot Bay, Megunticook Lake, and many of the surrounding islands. This trail also begins within the state park.
If you still have any questions about the Mount Battie Trail, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below and I’ll do my best to answer it. Have you hiked any trails that you loved near Camden? I’d love to hear about them!
Land Acknowledgement: Land of the Penobscot, Abenaki, Wabanaki Confederacy People. You can learn more about whose land you’re using by referencing the Native Land app. Please consider taking some time to look into the history of the area, and if you’re able, donating to local indigenous organizations.
Trail: Mount Battie Trail
Length: 1.1 mile out and back
Elevation Gain: 590 ft
Difficulty: Moderate – Hard
Parking: Lot at trail head
Directions: Click here for Google Maps