The Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway provides dazzling views of fall foliage. Photo © Clark Gregor, licensed Creative Commons Attribution.
Shhh! Don’t tell too many people, but Maine gets fewer leaf peepers than other New England states, so roads are less congested and lodging and dining reservations are easier. But do plan in advance. For help in planning a trip leaf peeping in Maine, consult www.mainefoliage.com.
Leaf peepers who make it as far north as Greenville are well rewarded. Plan a minimum of two nights, ideally three or longer, and spend one full day driving one of the state’s most spectacular foliage routes.
The Route: Loop from Greenville over to the Kennebec River and back on Routes 5 to Jackman, 201 south to Bingham, 16 east to Abbott, then 5 north to return to Greenville. You’ll parallel the shorelines of Moosehead Lake and the Moose River on the Moosehead Lake Scenic Byway before arriving in Rockwood. As you head south the views are spectacular along the Old Canada Road Scenic Byway. Dip into the Attean View rest area for views extending toward Canada. Need to stretch your legs? Consider the relatively easy hike to Moxie Falls. From here to Bingham, Route 201 can be truly spectacular, as it snakes along the Kennebec River.
Diversions: Cruise Moosehead Lake aboard the Kate, take a flightseeing tour or a moose safari, or drive to a remote sporting camp for lunch.
Combine New England’s trees with lakes and mountains and you have the best of nature’s palette. Divide your lodging between Bethel and Rangeley.
The Route: From Bethel, take Route 26 north to Errol, New Hampshire, then Route 16 north to Rangeley. Return via Route 17 south to Route 2 west. Heading north, you’ll cut through Grafton Notch State Park on the Grafton Notch Scenic Byway; the rest of the drive is speckled with mountains, lakes, and streams. Returning south from Rangeley, the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway passes over Height of Land, providing dazzling views. The entire route is through prime moose country, so keep alert.
Diversions: Hike in Grafton Notch or Rangeley, paddle the Rangeley Lakes, or pan for gold in Coos Canyon.
To the magic foliage mix, add the ocean and top it off with wild blueberry barrens, which turn crimson in foliage season. Book lodging in the Schoodic region.
The Route: From Hancock, mosey inland on Route 182 along the Blackwoods Scenic Byway to Cherryfield. Then head south on Route 1A to Milbridge, continuing south on Route 1. In Steuben, dip down Pigeon Hill Road to the Petit Manan section of the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Reserve before continuing south on Route 1 to Route 186, which loops around the Schoodic Peninsula via the Schoodic Scenic Byway.
Diversions: Bike the Schoodic Loop, hike Black or Schoodic Mountains, detour north from Cherryfield to Deblois to see the blueberry barrens, or browse art galleries.
Excerpted from the Sixth Edition of Moon Maine.
