Tag Archives: Portland Trails

Back Cove/Back Bay Portland, ME

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Couple w/ Dog Back CoveHighway side Back CoveFamily biking Back Cove

Scenic Back Cove trail in Portland is one of the area’s most used shared paths. The 3.5 mile loop around the cove passes Payson Park and connects to the Eastern Prom Trail which leads to the Old Port area. Accessible from many streets in the area, the path is often used by people and families walking, running, biking, training groups who are preparing for races such as the Beach to Beacon and there are weekly 5k races held here all Summer.


Roses and Tukey\'s Bridge Back Cove

Open dawn to dusk, no fee, seasonal portable toilets located in the Preble Street parking lot and Payson Park, four seasonal water fountains (two have dog bowls as well), benches, trash cans approx. every mile and informational signs.

Hiking, biking, soccer fields, bird watching, cross country skiing and snow shoeing, handicap accessible, strollers, dogs on leash.

For more information http://www.trails.org/

Connector to trails Back Cove

To Get There:

There are many, many access routes to Back Cove, however, parking is available in the lot off Preble Street Extension (across from the Hannaford store on Forest Ave) and on the north side of Baxter Boulevard at Payson Park.

We visit Back Cove, or Back Bay as is is also known, many times a year. It is one of the most scenic paths in the area, is well maintained and well marked. There have been many improvements to the path this year. They have laid new crushed stone, repaved the short expanse between the parking lot and Baxter Blvd., moved the Start line to edge of the parking lot and put all new signs up. There has also been a group who has begun a yardscaping project on the highway side of the trail just past the soccer fields. The path is even and level with only a slight rise when the path reaches Tukey’s Bridge and crosses the bay with I-295.

Bench and skyline Back Cove

Notes: The path is wide and there is plenty of room to walk comfortably in both directions. There is a more narrow part when the path crosses Tukey’s Bridge and follows along I-295. The recent work on the path is a much needed and appreciated improvement. The water run-off grooves have been filled in and the path ruts have been eradicated for now. Just a great walk in general with great views of the bay and skyline.

Sea Ducks Back CoveGoing over Tukey\'s Bridge Back Cove

Falmouth Nature Preserve Falmouth, ME

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Sign at entranceTrail guide

The second of our Portland Trails hikes, The Falmouth Nature Preserve is a little difficult to find, but once you get there, you will be surprised at what a treasure it is. Located on the Mill Creek flood plain, the paths lead you through many kinds of terrain.

2.5 miles; Open dawn to dusk; no trash; no restrooms; last visited June 2008

Hiking, mountain biking, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, dogs on leash, bird watching

For more Information http://www.trails.org/

To Get There:

Blaze on tree

The76-acre preserve is located on Route 88 ( Foreside Road ) about 0.7 miles south of Town Landing Market. The entrance to the parking lot is marked by a small white sign with the letter “FNP” and is 0.3 miles north of the bridge over Mill Creek, just past 176 Foreside Road.

There are five trails that wind and criss-cross through the preserve. All of the trails are well maintained and well marked with blazes in each color of the trails. They are generally packed earth with exposed roots and a few wooden bridges over some of the wetter areas. Most of the way is fairly level, we only experienced a few hills on our “border” hike. The sign at the entrance is a great guide, although we mis-read it and ended up on a longer journey than we expected, but worth every minute.

Mill Creek

Fallen Tree

Notes: We only saw one other person who happened to be walking a dog. We did see a lot of deer tracks and heard many birds. I was excited by all the flowers in bloom, especially the Lady Slippers. We also saw a few random ladder type structures that seemed to be out of place and had no purpose.

Lady SlippersBerriesWild Iris

Presumpscot River Preserve Portland, ME

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Map of the Presumpscot River Preserve

We recently purchased the Portland Trails Map and have decided to hit up all the trials this Summer. The first being the Presumpscot River Preserve. I was intrigued by the “rough water”, history and conservation that is going on here. Smelt Hill Dam is an area of the trail that is currently undergoing some habitat restoration.

Presumpscot River Preserve 2.5 m round trip +-

Portland, ME

Hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, dogs on leash, bird watching, kayaking, snow shoeing, x-country ski, no fee, no restrooms, no trash

Visited June 2008

Open dawn to dusk

To Get There:

Presumpscot trail sign

From RT. 100/Washington Ave turn on to Allen Ave Extension. Follow to turn on to Summit St. on left. Follow Summit to Curtis Rd on right and then take right on to Overset. Overset is a dead end and there is limited parking (possibly for 3-4 cars).

Resource: The trail is part of the Portland Trails system, more info can be found at www.trails.org

There is varied even grading with inclines and declines as well as some bridges and boardwalks over wet areas. Most of the trail is packed earth with exposed roots. Some of the trail markers have been destroyed, but the path is easy to follow. There are many side trails as well as a loop trail for options of exploring the area. The main path leads to a T-intersection that leads upstream or downstream along the river. Downstream there is an area of rough water with a sign explaining the Smelt Hill Dam and how the area is being revitalized. There is a portage area for boaters to take out and re-enter the river around the rough water.

Notes: This is a highly residential area you will drive through to the trailhead. The downstream path does end and border private property, however, there is the possible loop to connect to Oak Nuts Park which will bring you back to Summit St and you could easily walk back to where you park via the sidewalk.

We saw a few bikers and swimmers as well as fishing birds while we explored the area.

The Presumpscot River

The river

Back Cove

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Back Cove Trail is one of Portland’s most popular spots for walking, running, biking, dog walking (on a leash), and in the winter, cross-country skiing.

Back Cove (Back Bay), Portland Maine
The official start line is located across from the Shop N Save located on Prebble Street extension, however, most of the trail is easily accessible from almost any spot along the extension and Baxter Boulevard; The exception would be the stretch across Tukey’s Bridge and along I-295.

 

 

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