Mount Kineo State Park

The 700-foot cliffs of Mt. Kineo rise seemingly straight up from Moosehead Lake. From the comparatively undramatic shores of Rockwood, the cliffs don’t look surmountable except by rock climbers. But the hike to amazing views from its open cliff face is manageable for the average hiker. Those who are not afraid of heights can climb the old fire tower at the mountain’s 1,788-foot summit.

The easiest way to access the island is via the 10-minute ferry shuttle that leaves from the boat launch in Rockwood. It runs daily from May through October — every hour in July and August — and in 2026 cost $15 per person round trip.

The boat drops you off close to the main trailhead, where you begin your hike on the flat and easy Carriage Trail. The path is packed gravel and should be accessible for most wheelchairs up to the intersection with the Bridle Trail — though there is some rock breaking through the trail surface.

Note: As you curve around the cliff face on the Carriage Trail, you’ll come across a few large flat rocks at the path’s side that look like good places to launch yourself into the lake for a swim!

If you have just a couple of hours, I recommend hiking 0.6 miles along the Carriage Trail to Indian Trail, and following Indian Trail for 0.5-mile. Though it is very steep and rocky, you have periodic magnificent views along the way. Close to the junction with the Bridle Trail you’ll reach the greatest view from an open grassy section at the top of the cliff. Circle back down the less steep 0.8-mile Bridle Trail — that is, if you want to keep your hike shortish and return the way you came along the Carriage Trail. The total mileage for this loop is about 2.6 miles.

Once you have made the climb up to the view, you could continue going another 0.4 miles along the cliff to the wooded summit of Mt. Kineo and its climbable tower (I was too scared to climb it). From the boat landing, the elevation gain to the summit is 818 feet.

If you want to avoid going up all together, remaining on flat terrain, you can walk along the easy Carriage Trail that hugs the western edge of the island. The path narrows and roughens after the intersection with the Bridle Trail. In about 2.1 miles from the ferry dock, at the island’s northwestern end, you’ll reach Hardscrabble Point, which is funny name for a nice spot. There is an open grassy clearing here (camping is allowed), with picnic tables and a small beach. Go for a swim!

If you have several hours and want to hike the entire loop around the island, be warned that the 2-mile North Trail has a very steep section to Mt. Kineo’s summit. The total mileage, if you hike from the dock to Indian Trail, to North Trail, to Hardscrabble Point, and return via the Carriage Trail, is about 5.7 miles.

Wabanaki history: I learned from an exhibit at the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland that the name Kineo comes from the legendary warrior Kinneho, a protector of the Penobscot people. For thousands of years, the Penobscots who lived around Moosehead Lake mined the rhyolite in the mountain rock to make hunting and fishing tools. “This volcanic rock was highly valued by the Wabanaki…and was traded widely across the region. …The area around Mount Kineo is still used as a seasonal hunting, fishing, and gathering area, providing resources for the Wabanaki people.”

Directions: From downtown Greenville travel north 19.5 miles on Route 15 toward Rockwood. Turn right marked with signs for the Kineo Docks. From the Kineo docks it is about a 10 minute ferry ride to Kineo. In the summer there is a shuttle that leaves from the public boat landing in Rockwood every hour, although the schedule may vary. A shuttle fee is charged.