Northern New England is a superb destination for those who don't consider it a vacation unless they spend some time far away from their cars. Hiking, canoeing, and skiing are among the most popular outdoor activities, but you can also try rock climbing, sea kayaking, mountain biking, road biking, sailing, winter mountaineering, and snowmobiling. In general, the farther north you go in the region, the more remote and wild the terrain becomes. More detailed information on local services is included in each regional section.
No other northern New England state offers as much outdoor recreational diversity as Maine. Bring your mountain bike, hiking boots, sea kayak, canoe, fishing rod, and snowmobile -- there'll be plenty for you to do here.
If your outdoor skills are rusty or non-existent, you can brush up at L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools (tel. 888/552-3261; www.llbean.com/odp), which offers a series of lectures and workshops that run anywhere from 2 hours to 3 days. Classes are offered at various locations around the state, covering a whole range of subjects, including orienteering (using a map and compass to locate points and traverse the countryside), fly tying, bike maintenance, canoeing, kayaking, and cross-country and telemark skiing. L.L.Bean also hosts popular canoeing, sea kayaking, and cross-country skiing festivals that bring together instructors, lecturers, and equipment vendors for 2 or 3 days of learning and outdoor diversion. Call for a brochure or check the website for a schedule.
