Monhegan, Maine, USA

What better way to enjoy Maine’s serene beauty than a few days on a secluded island laced with hiking trails? We spent a long weekend on Monhegan from our home in Portland.

Monhegan is an island 10 miles (16 kilometers) off the coast of Maine that is accessible only via ferry.
If you’re not a resident, you’re not bringing a car. But that’s OK, because that’s part of the island’s charm, and the island is small enough to explore by foot.
Monhegan isn’t necessarily a cheap place to visit, but, despite the price, you’re not going to get a luxury experience. Even the nicest, most expensive hotels have rustic qualities.

Drove to Port Clyde.
Grabbed a quick snack from Port Clyde General Store.
Took the ferry from Port Clyde to Monhegan with Monhegan Boat Line. Spotted multiple dolphins on the one-hour trip.
Checked into our hotel and settled in.
Lunch from the Barnacle.
Walked around the main part of town. We enjoyed Winter Works, Elva’s Old P.O., and Lupine Gallery.
Further up the hill toward the lighthouse, we visited Edison Studio. Met sculptor Daphne Pulsifer.
Continued uphill past the lighthouse (with its postcard panoramic view of the town) over the spine of the island to White Head.
Dinner at the Island Inn.

Breakfast at the Island Inn.
Lunch from the Barnacle.
Hiked the southern half of the Cliff Trail. Lobster Cove Road to Underhill Trail to Burnt Head to Cliff Trail to the D.T. Sheridan shipwreck then back up to town.
Poked into the Black Duck Emporium.
Dinner at the Monhegan Fish House.
Sunset from Lighthouse Hill.

Breakfast at the Island Inn.
Lunch from the Barnacle.
Hiked the northern half of the Cliff Trail. Black Head Road to Cliff Trail to Pebble Beach to Black Head to Little Whitehead to Whitehead Trail to Lighthouse Hill then back down to town.
Raided the Monhegan Store for snacks.
Takeout dinner from Trailing Yew.

Strolled around town one final time.
Breakfast from the Barnacle.
Ferry from Monhegan to Port Clyde. More dolphin sightings!
Once back on the mainland, we visited Marshall Point Lighthouse, which we had spotted on our way out on the ferry at the beginning of the trip.
Drove back to Portland, with a lunch stop at the Taco the Town food truck in Brunswick.