Want to combine a fall foliage and coastline trip

We want to come to Maine in late Sept. or early Oct. and combine a fall foilage trip with a coastline trip. We know we want to go to Acadia National Park and down the coast toward Boston. Where would be other places in Maine to see fall foilage colors?

Want to combine a fall foliage and coastline trip

Any place where there is a high overlook is a good place to enjoy the fall color. Just north of the village of Camden, about 90 minutes south of Acadia National Park, there is a road to the top of Mount Battie. The view from there is glorious with Camden harbor right below you and the mountains of Acadia off in the distance.

While in Acadia be sure to drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. A hike on the carriage road in the Park that is called the Amphitheatre Loop is especially nice during fall foliage because the road takes you up and around a valley with views to the colorful trees on the other slope of the valley as you hike. It%26#39;s a 5.2 mile walk if you start from Brown Mountain Gate. You could also start from Jordan Pond House and then end with those wonderful popovers on the lawn, overlooking the pond. There are many, many hikes to enjoy in Acadia.

Want to combine a fall foliage and coastline trip

Thanks for you speedy reply. I%26#39;ve had foot surgery and knee problems so we do short walks but not a lot of hiking. We want places where we can drive and do short scenic walks. Are these places good for that without having to hike a long way? We are retired and in our late 50%26#39;s/early 60%26#39;s.

A few things to think about...

On your way to or from Acadia National Park and the Bar Harbor area, you probably will traveling US Route 1. About a mile south of the town of Bucksport, Rt 1 crosses the Penobscot River on the recently completed Penobscot Narrows Bridge.

An observation deck has been built into one of the towers of that bridge, providing a 360 degree view of that part of the coast. Depending on how the foliage is the week you%26#39;re here it could provide a great view.

The observation deck is accessed by elevator (no climbing involved except for a short flight of stairs if you want to get to both levels of the observation area)with the entrance at the base of the bridge tower. A small admission fee gains you admission to both the bridge observation deck and Fort Knox State Park, which is immediately adjacent to the bridge...in fact, they share an entrance gate.

Watch for ths signs on Rt 1 as you approach the Bucksport area coming north, or leave it going south.

Also to think about....while the view from the top of Mt Battie is spectacular if you hit the foliage at the right time, some other great views are just inland from the coast. I%26#39;d think strongly about heading inland from Rt 1 just a bit....using either Rt 3 from Belfast to Augusta or Rt 17 from Rockland to Augusta (both offer great views across rolling hills that get great color in the Fall). From Augusta, you can take Rt 27 back to Rt 1 in Wiscasset, Rt 201 back to US 1 in Brunswick-Topsham, or I-95 to reconnect with numerous points along southern Route 1.

One more tip -- best color is really in the early morning and late afternoon, so you may want to think about getting an early start or not ending your day too early.

Have a great trip!

CeCe: ';I%26#39;ve had foot surgery and knee problems so we do short walks but not a lot of hiking. We want places where we can drive and do short scenic walks. Are these places good for that without having to hike a long way?';

Cadillac summit has already been mentioned. The Loop Road in Acadia National Park has several vistas that provide space for parking or pausing. Also, approximately half the distance of the Loop Road is one-way and throughout most of that stretch you can park in the right lane.

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