--- title: Why Outdoor Enthusiasts Vacation in Western Maine description: Are you an outdoor enthusiasts? For those of you with a real “do-it-yourself” explorer's mentality, consider planning a vacation in Western Maine. image: https://www.thewoodsmaine.com/hubfs/Dove_Way_ME/Blog_Images/Kayaking%20Western%20Maine.jpg --- [![TheWoodsMaine-Logo](https://www.thewoodsmaine.com/hubfs/The%20Woods%20Maine/Images/TheWoodsMaine-Logo.svg)](https://www.thewoodsmaine.com/) # Blog ##### Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn [Email](mailto:?body=https://www.thewoodsmaine.com/blog/why-outdoor-enthusiasts-vacation-in-western-maine-0) # Why Outdoor Enthusiasts Vacation in Western Maine 02/16/2020 For those of you with a real “do-it-yourself” explorer's mentality, Maine’s western reaches offer a limitless arena to make your own. In fact, the western scope of the state covers [more land area than neighboring](http://www.gotravelmaine.com/western-maine-region/) New Hampshire and Vermont combined. The outdoor attractions you’ll find here are often overlooked by travelers to the state who head right for the coast. For this reason, these underrated excursions maintain a wilderness that is rarely replicated. Below we discuss the western region’s three most compelling outdoor adventures.   ![Kayaking Western Maine.jpg](https://www.thewoodsmaine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Dove_Way_ME/Blog_Images/Kayaking%20Western%20Maine.jpg?width=640&name=Kayaking%20Western%20Maine.jpg) Photo: [Lake Pennesseewassee](http://www.lakesofmaine.org/lake-overview.html?m=3434) | Photo [@DoveWayME](https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/998436960202761/) Depending on who you ask, most, if not all, of western Maine is encompassed in the [Lakes and Mountains region](http://www.exploremaine.org/region/lakesmountains.shtml).­ Maine is home to more than [3,000 lakes and ponds](http://mainetoday.com/maine-travel/7-maines-beautiful-lakes/). This makes **canoeing and kayaking** a must-try activity during your stay. The Lakes region is home to big name lakes and smaller jewels alike. You could paddle your way through a portion of Sebago Lake, Maine’s second largest lake. *[Travel and Leisure](http://www.travelandleisure.com/local-experts/maine/where-kayak-and-canoe-maine) *puts a premium on canoeing here, picking it as one of the state’s top paddle places. At [45 square miles Sebago Lake’s](http://mainetoday.com/maine-travel/7-maines-beautiful-lakes/) shores reach six Maine towns and offers a dynamic fresh water experience. Yet, just as intriguing are the more remote lakes that span the state’s western mass. You might consider bringing your own kayak or renting one for the week during your stay. Who knows, you may be the only one making ripples in the water at any given moment. Here in Norway and on your front steps here at The Woods Maine  is one of Maine’s hardest to pronounce and exciting aquatic explorations, [Lake Pennesseewassee](http://www.lakesofmaine.org/lake-overview.html?m=3434) also known as Norway Lake.   ![Mahoosuc Land Trust Hikes.jpg](https://www.thewoodsmaine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Dove_Way_ME/Blog_Images/Mahoosuc%20Land%20Trust%20Hikes.jpg?width=460&height=280&name=Mahoosuc%20Land%20Trust%20Hikes.jpg) Photo Credit: [Mahoosuc Land Trust Preserves](http://www.mahoosuc.org/hikes.html) Once you’ve changed your gear we would be remiss to not mention the other offering of the Lakes and Mountains region, **[hiking](https://www.thewoodsmaine.com/four-must-experience-trails-near-norway-maine) **some of Maine’s peaks! Maine’s hiking opportunities are numerous, explaining the state’s inclusion in numerous [hiking club’s lists](http://www.amc4000footer.org/the-lists-we-recognize.html). We could write a post, or two, just on the [mountains of western Maine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Maine_Mountains). One we love to recommend is on the state border, just under and hour away from Norway. Pocketed in the “beyond words beautiful” Mahoosuc Public Reserved Land is Old Speck. At [4,180 feet a hike up Old Speck](http://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/doc/parksearch/details.pl?park_id=58) will give you breathtaking views that are hard to match in New England. ![Snowmobiling Visit Maine.jpg](https://www.thewoodsmaine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Dove_Way_ME/Blog_Images/Snowmobiling%20Visit%20Maine.jpg?width=640&name=Snowmobiling%20Visit%20Maine.jpg) Photo Credit: [@visitmaine](https://visitmaine.com/things-to-do/outdoors-adventure/winter-activities/snowmobiling/) Depending on your seasonal interests the **snowmobiling **in Maine’s backwoods is among the more energetic and fast paced experiences you could have while visiting the state. The state of Maine, in conjunction with the Maine Snowmobile Association, make a genuine effort to give travelers and locals alike an accurate lay of the land open for exploration. Check out the [map](http://www.jimapco.com/maproom/snowmobile/me/) of the [Interconnected Trails System (ITS)](http://www.mesnow.com/Map.html), route 89 runs just a couple miles outside of Norway! As mentioned, Norway is known for its snowshoeing history, and the fresh powder that blankets the state every winter will make for a multitude of wintery experiences to explore! What makes an outdoorsmen’s paradise out of Western Maine is there is something to do no matter the season, your age, or your experience level. It's time you come check it out for yourself!  ##### Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn [Email](mailto:?body=https://www.thewoodsmaine.com/blog/why-outdoor-enthusiasts-vacation-in-western-maine-0) [ Next Article #### Diving into Maine's Finger Lakes ](https://www.thewoodsmaine.com/blog/diving-into-maines-finger-lakes-0) [ Previous Article #### The Origins Of How Norway, Maine Got It's Name ](https://www.thewoodsmaine.com/blog/the-origins-of-how-norway-maine-got-its-name-0) ### A Reason to Explore Every Season Staying at The Woods is an opportunity to immerse in an unforgettable luxuey experience. Create a stay that's tranquil or totally over the top, it's yours for the making. ![](https://www.thewoodsmaine.com/hubfs/The%20Woods%20Maine/Images/TheWoods_Illustration_PineNeedles2_Red.svg) [Book Your Stay ](https://thewoodsmaine.lodgify.com/) [![The Woods Maine](https://www.thewoodsmaine.com/hubfs/The%20Woods%20Maine/Images/TheWoodsMaine-Logo2.svg) ](https://www.thewoodsmaine.com/) ![NT_Experience_wht](https://www.thewoodsmaine.com/hubfs/NT_Experience_wht.png) Norway, ME, 04268|[(207)370-4149](tel:(207)%20370-4149)|[INFO@THEWOODSMAINE.COM](mailto:INFO@THEWOODSMAINE.COM)|[Contact Us](https://www.thewoodsmaine.com/contact-us)|[**](https://www.instagram.com/thewoodsmaine/)  [**](https://www.facebook.com/TheWoodsME/)   ©2026 The Woods Maine. All rights reserved. Website by [Anchour](https://www.thewoodsmaine.com/blog/why-outdoor-enthusiasts-vacation-in-western-maine-0#).