Marginal Way, Ogunquit: Parking, Length and Tips

The Marginal Way is a paved cliff walk of about 1.25 miles that follows the rocky shore in Ogunquit, Maine, between the village and Perkins Cove. It is free, open year-round from dawn to dusk, and easy enough that most visitors finish it in under an hour. It is also one of the best-known short walks on the Maine coast. This guide covers where to start, parking, how long it takes, the rules, what you will see and when to go.

Marginal Way at a Glance

• Where: Ogunquit, in southern Maine. The path runs between Shore Road in Ogunquit Village and Perkins Cove.
• Length: about 1.25 miles one way, per Visit Maine and the Marginal Way Preservation Fund. Tripadvisor lists 1.5 miles, and AllTrails lists about 2.3 miles for the round trip.
• Surface: paved and mostly flat, with a few gentle grades and narrow spots, according to Visit Maine.
• Time: about 25 to 30 minutes without stops and 45 to 60 minutes with them, per Visit Maine.
• Cost and hours: free, open year-round from dawn to dusk.
• Benches: New England Today counts 39 numbered benches along the path.
• Restrooms: none on the path. Visit Maine points to facilities in Perkins Cove and downtown.
• Bikes: not allowed. It is a foot path.
• Dogs: see the rules section below.

Where to Start and How to Get There

You can walk it from either end, and the path is the same going each way. Most people start at the Ogunquit end on Shore Road and finish at Perkins Cove, where there are restaurants and boats. Others do it in reverse. Either way, plan on a return trip on foot, because it is an out-and-back unless you arrange another way back. Visit Maine puts the walk from Ogunquit Village to Perkins Cove at roughly 20 minutes on the road, which is a separate route from the cliff path.

Parking

Visit Maine describes two small municipal lots, one at Perkins Cove and one called Obed’s Lot, reached from Cottage Street off Shore Road. Both fill early on summer days, and rates are hourly. It lists the Main Beach and Footbridge Beach lots as backups, with a longer walk or a seasonal trolley ride. The Town of Ogunquit links to current lot maps and fees, so check that before you go. We could not confirm the current trolley schedule.

The Walk

The path hugs the shore, with the ocean on one side and homes, gardens and native shoreline plants on the other. Marginal Way Preservation Fund lists bayberry, honeysuckle, bittersweet and sea roses among the plantings. Along the way you pass rocky ledges, tide pools, a small lighthouse-style municipal building at Lobster Point and benches facing the water. New England Today mentions bronze plaques, including a John Muir quote. At the Perkins Cove end, a hand-operated footbridge crosses the cove, which is a working fishing harbor with restaurants and boat tours.

A Short History

According to the Marginal Way Preservation Fund, Josiah Chase Jr. donated the oceanfront strip to the Town of Ogunquit in 1925. A severe storm damaged large sections of the path, and the Preservation Fund was founded in 2010 to help pay for recovery and upkeep. The Marginal Way was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 23, 2022.

Rules and Safety

• Dogs: Visit Maine says leashed dogs are allowed October 1 through March 31 and not allowed April 1 through September 30. Readers of other sources disagree on the dates, so confirm with the town before you bring a dog.
• Waves and rocks: the shore is rocky and wave-battered. Stay on the path and keep well back from wet rocks, especially in rough weather.
• Accessibility: Visit Maine says the path works reasonably well for strollers and wheelchairs from the main entrances. Some visitors report steeper sections, so check conditions before committing to the full distance.
• Crowds: the path is popular. Early morning or late afternoon is easier, and some sections are narrow.
• Contact: for closures, parking and rules, the Town of Ogunquit is at 207-646-5139, according to its website.

When to Go

It is open all year. Summer is the busiest season for crowds and parking, so arrive early. Fall and the off-season mean fewer people, and dogs are allowed on a leash then, per Visit Maine. We have no source for a best hour for sunrise or sunset, so we would not promise one. Check the weather and sea conditions first.

Nearby Guides

Keep exploring with our Ogunquit, Things to Do in Ogunquit, Best Beaches in Maine, Best Things to Do in Maine.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Marginal Way?

About 1.25 miles one way between Ogunquit Village and Perkins Cove. Some sources round it to 1.5 miles, and AllTrails lists about 2.3 miles for the round trip.

How long does it take to walk the Marginal Way?

Visit Maine estimates 25 to 30 minutes without stops and 45 to 60 minutes with them.

Is the Marginal Way free?

Yes. It is free and open year-round from dawn to dusk. Parking is not free.

Where do you park for the Marginal Way?

There are small municipal lots at Perkins Cove and at Obed’s Lot, which is reached from Cottage Street. They fill early in summer, so check the town’s parking page for current fees and backup lots.

Are dogs allowed on the Marginal Way?

Visit Maine says leashed dogs are allowed October 1 through March 31 and not allowed April 1 through September 30. Confirm with the Town of Ogunquit before you go.

Is the Marginal Way wheelchair accessible?

It is paved and mostly flat, and Visit Maine says it works reasonably well for strollers and wheelchairs from the main entrances. Some sections are narrow or steeper, so check conditions first.

Are there bathrooms on the Marginal Way?

No. Use the facilities in Perkins Cove or downtown Ogunquit.

Our details come from Visit Maine, the Town of Ogunquit, the Marginal Way Preservation Fund and New England Today. Distances, parking and rules differ between sources and change, so we give the range and say what to confirm.