It’s not hard to find beautiful places to clear your head here in Maine. From the mountains to the forests to the coastal rocks that are so un-mistakenly Maine, nothing is too far from our own backyards. No matter what time of year it is, we’re always thinking about ways to enjoy the great outdoors. The York Cliffs in Maine show off with a cliff walk that’s an incredibly beautiful hike that truly showcases just how amazing Vacationland is, and you’ll want to gas up the car and see it as soon as you can. Let’s check it out:

Of all the cliff walks in Vacationland, this York, Maine cliff walk just might be the most beautiful!
Steph User / alltrails.com
Head to the town of York to experience this 1-mile out-and-back trail with beautiful views of York Harbor.
Jamie D / alltrails.com
The route begins at York Harbor Beach then stretches along the cliff side of the beach.
Cesar Davila/ Alltrails
The trail begins as a paved walkway, and in the spring, you're likely to find wildflowers and other beautiful plants adding a splash of color to your stroll.
Ashley Therrien / alltrails.com
As you continue, the route will go from paved to gravel and become slightly uneven. Those who are unsteady on their feet will want to be extra careful here.
Jamie D / alltrails.com
In addition to the views of York Harbor, you'll also be able to see the beach and some of the incredibly impressive homes dotting the coast.
Catie Joe / alltrails.com
This route is simple, just straight in one direction until the path ends and you turn back.
Jamie D / alltrails.com
But that's what makes the York cliff walk so wonderful. Short, simple, and absolutely breathtaking is exactly what you want when you're looking to clear your head.
Jamie D / alltrails.com
Plan your visit for the end of the day, and you'll enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in the area.
Jamie D / alltrails.com
If you want to extend your trip, then cross the beach and follow along the shore with the Fisherman's Trail to Wiggly Bridge. This is a short and sweet trail that offers lots to see and do along the way. The Wiggly Bridge itself is well worth the trip. Check out this Adventuring in the Moment Video to see this trail.


Breathe in, smell that salt air, and return back the same way you came.
Jamie D / alltrails.com
Accessing the trail is the only part of this journey that's not straightforward. But it's not impossible!

Residents with permits are allowed to park along Harbor Beach Road, which is right next to the trailhead. Easy! Without a permit, you can still manage to park. Head to York Street, also known as Route 1A, and walk to the trailhead. Please be sure not to park on Harbor Beach Road without a permit. Also, remember that summer here is very popular! If you can't find parking nearby, you might need to walk a mile from your car to the trailhead. You can try to avoid this by arriving as early as possible.

 

A walk along the York Cliffs in Maine is always a great adventure. A great app for navigating is Alltrails+ – you can spend less time wandering and more time on the trails. Once you’ve strolled the York cliffs, head over to Cape Elizabeth where you can take another cliff walk in Maine. This one will lead you to an abandoned castle! For more incredible beauty here in Vacationland, check out the 10 most incredible natural attractions in Maine that everyone should visit.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

More to Explore

cliff walk york maine

Jackie Ann | July 21, 2022

What is the most scenic town in Maine?

Some of the most scenic towns in Maine are:

There’s truly something special about Maine’s coastal towns, and York clocks in at the top of our list as one of the most scenic towns in Maine. Of course, the York cliff walk that we mentioned above is one of the main reasons to love this scenic town, but there’s so much more to explore here! Dockside Guest Quarters is a beautiful waterfront inn in York with stunning views of the York Harbor, easily one of the best views in Maine to wake up to. Once you’ve seen the water and admired the coast, hop in your car and head over to Mount Agamenticus Park where even more outdoor adventure awaits. You can hike one of the many nature trails or take the scenic drive straight to the summit of Mount Agamenticus, where you’ll have an incredible bird’s eye view of the forest below.

What are the best hikes with a view in Maine?

Some of the best hikes in Maine are:

It’s hard to pick the best hike in Maine, we think they’re all beautiful! However, if you’ve only got time to do one hike in Vacationland, make it the Blueberry Ridge Trail. In addition to picking all the blueberries you can handle along your hike, one of the many trails within the mountain will take you to Rattlesnake Pool, a lovely little swimming hole in Maine that’ll feel incredibly refreshing after hiking through the forest.  For dramatic cliffside views, you can’t beat the 1.6-mile Great Head Trail that features stunning views of the pink granite rocky cliffs, The Beehive, and Sand Beach.

What are the best beaches in Maine?

Some of the best beaches in Maine are:

Maine’s beaches are truly something special, and so much more than a spot to soak up some sun on a hot summer day. If you’re wanting to try your hand at searching for sea glass, visit Pebble Beach on Monhegan Island. Of course, if you don’t want to take a boat to the island, you can always try Sand Beach in Acadia National Park. If sand dollars are what you’re after, Long Sands Beach is one of the best places to find sand dollars in Maine.

Related Articles

Explore Maine

Featured Addresses
Cliff Walk, York, ME 03909, USA