The Picnic Point Loop on Peaks Island, Maine is an easy 0.4-mile loop / lollipop walk that features views of Portland, Catnip Island, Cushing Island, Whitehead Passage, and Hadlock Cove.
Walk Description
This short hike leads out to Picnic Point, passing rocky beaches along the way on each cove. To the east, walkers will find views of Hadlock Cove. To the west cove, located in Casco Bay, are views of downtown Portland along with a funny-named island named Catnip Island. If you walk around the bend, assuming during low tide, you'll find tide pools within the bedrock along with views of Whitehead Passage. The trail then continues back on the upper land of Picnic Point, passing through the forest along a skinny path. There are more views from here, including views of Hadlock Cove. The trail then passes both rocky beaches and reaches the trailhead for a 0.4-mile walk.
During high tide, this walk is a bit shorter since you can't meander around on the bedrock as much.
Parking
If driving, there are some small parking turnouts near the coordinates provided on Hadlock Point Road. The parking turnouts are mostly for golf carts, which can be rented on the island.
Pets
Dogs are allowed if leashed and should be cleaned up after.
Getting to and Getting Around Peaks Island
To access Peaks Island, travelers must buy a ticket from Casco Bay Lines to hitch a ride on the ferry in Portland. Peaks Island ferry runs on a different schedule each season and year. Please use this Casco Bay Lines link to find out more about when the ferry leaves Portland and/or Peaks Island to plan your trip. As of July 2023, the price for a ticket to Peaks Island cost $7 for one adult and there's no return fee as the trip from Peaks Island to Portland is free. Visitors can pay more money to bring their cars, however, folks that bring vehicles to Peaks Island are generally locals. Instead, visitors can either plan to walk/hike the island or they can rent golf carts for a moderate hourly fee on the island. Each golf cart rental business, as of July 2023, is located right off of the dock where the ferry drops passengers off on the island. On our trip we used Mike's Carts which cost $50/hour to rent the golf cart for up to 5 hours max. Mike's Carts, as of July 2023, did not require prior reservations, however, any first-come first-serve carts might sell out by late morning. There's another company called Peaks Island Golf Carts which require a reservation in advance. Last, weekends on Peaks Island - especially during the Summer - can be very very busy. If you wish to explore Peaks Island without a massive crowd, plan on a quiet weekday.
Walk Description
This short hike leads out to Picnic Point, passing rocky beaches along the way on each cove. To the east, walkers will find views of Hadlock Cove. To the west cove, located in Casco Bay, are views of downtown Portland along with a funny-named island named Catnip Island. If you walk around the bend, assuming during low tide, you'll find tide pools within the bedrock along with views of Whitehead Passage. The trail then continues back on the upper land of Picnic Point, passing through the forest along a skinny path. There are more views from here, including views of Hadlock Cove. The trail then passes both rocky beaches and reaches the trailhead for a 0.4-mile walk.
During high tide, this walk is a bit shorter since you can't meander around on the bedrock as much.
Parking
If driving, there are some small parking turnouts near the coordinates provided on Hadlock Point Road. The parking turnouts are mostly for golf carts, which can be rented on the island.
Pets
Dogs are allowed if leashed and should be cleaned up after.
Getting to and Getting Around Peaks Island
To access Peaks Island, travelers must buy a ticket from Casco Bay Lines to hitch a ride on the ferry in Portland. Peaks Island ferry runs on a different schedule each season and year. Please use this Casco Bay Lines link to find out more about when the ferry leaves Portland and/or Peaks Island to plan your trip. As of July 2023, the price for a ticket to Peaks Island cost $7 for one adult and there's no return fee as the trip from Peaks Island to Portland is free. Visitors can pay more money to bring their cars, however, folks that bring vehicles to Peaks Island are generally locals. Instead, visitors can either plan to walk/hike the island or they can rent golf carts for a moderate hourly fee on the island. Each golf cart rental business, as of July 2023, is located right off of the dock where the ferry drops passengers off on the island. On our trip we used Mike's Carts which cost $50/hour to rent the golf cart for up to 5 hours max. Mike's Carts, as of July 2023, did not require prior reservations, however, any first-come first-serve carts might sell out by late morning. There's another company called Peaks Island Golf Carts which require a reservation in advance. Last, weekends on Peaks Island - especially during the Summer - can be very very busy. If you wish to explore Peaks Island without a massive crowd, plan on a quiet weekday.
