Easy Hikes for People and Dogs Close to Greater Portland, Maine

There are amazing hiking spots only an hour or less away from Portland, Maine.

It's awesome how many unique hikes, perfect for day hikers with dogs, are just outside of Portland. Knox Mountain in Newfield is one of them. Reddit user @crypto_crypt_keeper took some great pictures after climbing Knox Mountain.

According to Maine by Foot, it's about 800 feet in the nearly 4,000-acre Vernon S. Walker Wildlife Management Area. That's where you'll find Abbott Mountain, too. This is a trail that is not marked, but don't let that scare you, as it's a pretty wide and easy path to follow.

Directions:

At the trailhead, there’s room for just a couple of cars. It’s off Water Street/Route 11 (roughly at 520 Water Street, West Newfield), opposite Hick Road. You’ll see a sign for the state’s wildlife management area.

The Reddit user said he didn't see more than two or three people when he hiked this trail. It is dog-friendly with a little brook too. And when he went, there weren't that many mosquitoes! He brought his older dog, and the pooch handled the hike easily.

Pleasant Mountain is another close one outside of Portland, Maine

Pleasant Mountain is southern Maine’s tallest mountain, standing at 2,006 feet. There are almost 10 miles of trails, from moderate to challenging day hikes. But when at the top, the views of the White Mountains are pretty spectacular. Pleasant Mountain is in the area of Bridgton and Denmark, Maine.

If you make it to either hike, enjoy the best of Maine.