Marginal Way, Ogunquit ME
• 4-star hike
• 1.0 mile each way
• Easy difficulty | Elevation gain nominal
• Ogunquit, ME | Maine
• Driving Directions: North, South, Beach
Taking a stroll along the Marginal Way.
It can be hard to find publicly accessible coastal walks in the US that aren't crowded out by private property, but when we do they are spectacular and Ogunquit's Marginal Way is no exception. This one mile flat paved route follows the coastal headlands between the lobster shacks of Perkins Cove and the south end of the town. An additional half-mile stroll will lead you all the way to Ogunquit's long and pristine public beach.
Many folks stick to the path and take in the views from one of many benching along the route, while others find access points to explore the rocky shoreline. Some also investigate the geological interpretive sign that provides many insights into the half a billion year history that formed the promonotory upon which the Marginal Way sits. This sign is located on a gravel cut-through path that doesn't follow the paved route, so we've marked it on our map.
Marginal Way,
Beach Trail Marginal Way 4★1.0 mi each way, Easy, Elevation gain nominal
Trailspotting Map at AllTrails
Ogunquit is extremely popular in the warmer seasons, so expect crowds along this trail at weekends and holidays. Parking can be extremely difficult at these times, and still not so easy on other fair weather days. We like the paid Perkins Cove lot at the south end of Marginal Way as it has a 3-hour limit that is usually adequate time to walk as far as the public beach and back, though it isn't long enough to stop for a bite to eat. There are several paid public and private lots around town, and we've marked the public lots close to the trail on our map.
Ogunquit's extremely popular and scenic coastal walk.
Lobster Point's squat 1948 lighthouse located on the trail.
Ogunquit's long and well-maintained public beach.
Tangents:
• Trail Links: Ogunquit Parking, Public Map at AllTrails
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article
Nearby Trails:
• 6 miles away: Mt Agamenticus (4★ 1-2 miles)
• 9 miles away: York Fisherman's Walk & Wiggly Bridge (4★, 1.6 miles)
• 9 miles away: York Harbor Cliff Walk (4★ 1 mile)
• Show on map: All nearby trails
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