Only 1.5 hours from Portland, Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park provides a gorgeous view of the town of Camden and the surrounding coastline of Penobscot Bay from above.
The summit of Mount Battie is accessible from either the front trail that is located just outside of the state park, or there is an auto road that leads up to the summit within the park (the location drop pin reflects the route within the park).
To access the front trail, the trailhead is on mountain street where there is a small parking lot available. The auto road is usually closed in winter, but if the snow is limited they will open it up to cars. The trail itself requires a bit of rock scrambling, but overall the 669 feet of elevation is fairly easy to conquer and the elevation is gradual- the view at the top is worth it! At the summit, there is also a tower that was erected in 1921 to honor the men and women who fought in World War I. You can climb to the top and get an even better vantage point of the landscape below! Camden Hills State Park charges $4 pp (if you are from Maine -- rates subject to change). The fee is definitely worth it. Camden Hill State Park offers a gorgeous network of trails within a reasonable distance of Portland. It rivals Acadia with its beauty and is usually much less crowded. Stop by Vintage after for classy cocktails or head to the Sea Dog Brewing to grab a beer!