The 6 Best Hikes in Rangeley Maine

Rangeley is a beautiful lake and mountain town in northern Maine. It boasts six beautiful lakes, stunning waterfalls, and many outdoor activities for year-round fun. One of the best ways to explore Rangeley and take in its beauty is by hiking its many trails.

There are miles of beautiful trails in Rangeley for all levels! Whether you want a strenuous day hike or an easy, short hike, there are a variety of trails in Rangeley to choose from! This guide has everything you need to know about the best hikes in Rangeley, Maine!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, my blog may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.

Tips for Hiking in Rangeley Maine

Arrive early at the trailheads. Some trails near Rangeley are popular, and the parking lots can fill up early. I recommend arriving at the most popular hikes early in the morning to avoid most crowds.
Pack the appropriate hiking gear. Even the shortest hikes in Rangeley have rocky terrain. Some of the trails also have river crossings and steep sections. I recommend packing proper footwear and hiking gear to ensure you are safe and prepared.
Download offline maps. Most hikes in Rangeley have little to no service, so I recommend downloading an offline map on Google Maps to get to each trailhead in case you lose service.
Get a trail map. Although most hikes in Rangeley are easy to follow, it is crucial to have a map just in case. You should pick up a local trail map to help you navigate on the trail and download an offline trail map on a hiking app.
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

What to Pack for Hiking in Rangeley Maine

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.

The Best Hikes in Rangeley Maine

Bald Mountain

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 2.3 miles

Elevation Gain: 930 feet

Bald Mountain is a stunning hike in Rangeley because it offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the lakes in the region. The 2.3-mile trail has around 900 feet of elevation and leads you to a fire tower. The fire tower has beautiful views of every lake near Rangeley, Maine, and will quickly be one of your favorite views in the area. The trail is moderate, with some scrambles as it gets closer to the summit of Bald Mountain. If you are looking for one of the best hikes in Rangeley, Maine, Bald Mountain is for you!

Smalls Falls

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 0.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 32 feet

If you are looking for an easy hike in Rangeley with a beautiful waterfall, look no further! Smalls Falls is a 54-foot waterfall at a rest area in Rangeley, Maine. From the rest area parking lot, there are a set of stairs leading to a bridge overlooking the beautiful waterfall and the 0.5-mile trail that leads to higher viewpoints. The best view, in my opinion, is at the bridge, but hiking the short hike is worth it for the other beautiful views of the waterfall!

The Cascades

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 1 mile

Elevation Gain: 125 feet

The Cascades is a stunning waterfall tucked into a beautiful gorge and is one of the best hikes in Rangeley. The waterfall has three falls that make the waterfall over 50 feet tall. And the best part? The trail is only 1 mile round trip on the Cascade Stream Gorge Trail through a beautiful forest. The trailhead is in a residential neighborhood, and you may see people parked on the residential street, but you can drive up the short and steep road to reach the small parking lot near the trailhead. The Cascades is one of the best hikes in Rangeley, Maine, for all levels!

Saddleback Mountain

Difficulty: Difficult

Length: 6 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,700 feet

Saddleback Mountain is a 4,000-footer in Maine that you can have fun on year-round! If you visit in the summer or fall, you can hike up to the summit from the Ski Lodge. Many trails lead to the summit, but the one from the Ski Lodge is one of the easiest routes.

The trail is a 6-mile strenuous hike and gains almost 2,000 feet of elevation along the ski trails before connecting with the Appalachian Trail. It will make you work for the views, but it is worth it! Make sure to look out for thru-hikers, too, since the Appalachian Trail travels over Saddleback Mountain. They always have incredible stories. If you are up for a challenge, Saddleback Mountain is the perfect hike in Rangeley, Maine for you!

Saddleback Mountain and The Horn

Difficulty: Difficult

Length: 6.3 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,750 feet

If hiking to Saddleback Mountain wasn’t a big enough hike for you in Rangeley, you can add on The Horn! You can follow the Appalachian Trail past Saddleback Mountain from the previous route mentioned above, which adds about 2.8 miles, or you can hike up a more direct trail from the ski lodge.

The hike is 6.3 miles round trip and travels up a steep ski trail before connecting to the Appalachian Trail. The views from Saddleback Mountain and The Horn are unbelievable and worth every ounce of effort. If you are up for the challenge, you will fall in love with this hike in Rangeley, Maine!

Angel Falls

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 1.1 miles

Elevation Gain: 250 feet

Angel Falls is among the most beautiful waterfalls in Maine and one of the best hikes in Rangeley. It is the fourth tallest waterfall in Maine at 90 feet tall and requires a 1.1-mile hike. The trail travels through a beautiful forest and over streams before finally reaching the incredible Angel Falls.

I recommend driving on Bemis Road from the south to the trailhead because it is a shorter drive on an unmaintained road. You will need to look for a fork in the road with a small sign pointing to the Angel Falls trailhead. You can park before the fork and walk down the short road to the trailhead. Angel Falls will quickly become one of your favorite hikes in Rangeley, Maine!

If you visit Rangeley, I highly recommend hiking its beautiful trails because it is one of the best things to do in the area! This guide has everything you need to know about the best hikes in Rangeley, Maine!