Whether you’re looking for an easy afternoon stroll or something a little more difficult, there are a number of options for hikes and nature walks in and around Portland. Here are our top ten picks for the best hikes in Portland, Maine.
.01 // BACK COVE TRAIL (9 MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE FRANCIS)
One of the oldest and most popular trails in Portland, the beautiful 4.2 mile loop around the Back Cove offers great views of the Portland skyline.
.02 // BAXTER WOODS (9 MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE FRANCIS)
Baxter Woods is a 30-acre nature preserve offering beautiful towering pines, river views and quiet, shaded trails for walking and mountain biking.
.03 // GREENBELT WALKWAY (10 MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE FRANCIS)
The Greenbelt Walkway is a paved, primarily off-road path in South Portland that runs from the Wainwright athletic fields to Bug Light Park. The trail is 5.6 miles long one way and is pet friendly.
.04 // GILSLAND FARM AUDUBON CENTER (11 MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE FRANCIS)
On the shore of the Presumpscot estuary, Gilsland Farm’s gentle trails are one of the best places in the Portland area to see wildlife in varied habitats, including meadows, historic gardens, marshes and forests.
.05 // MACKWORTH ISLAND TRAIL (12 MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE FRANCIS)
This easy 1.5 mile trail circles Mackworth Island and offers excellent views of Casco Bay and its many islands as well as Portland and Falmouth.
.06 // ROBINSON WOODS TRAIL (14 MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE FRANCIS)
Located across from Fort Williams Park, the Robinson Woods Outer Loop Trail is a 1.4 mile loop trail that features a river and is good for all skill levels. Additional trails can be found within the 145 acres of the Robinson Woods Preserve.
.07 // PRESUMPSCOT RIVER TRAIL (18 MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE FRANCIS)
The Presumpscot River Trail starts in Westbrook and provides a long, smooth single track that skirts the Presumpscot River all the way to Falmouth. This spot is also a great place to go tubing down the river!
.08 // CASCADE FALLS TRAIL (21 MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE FRANCIS)
Cascade Falls Trail is located on Cascade Road in Saco and is an easy 0.4-mile loop that features a large scenic waterfall, Cascade Falls.
.09 // BRADBURY MOUNTAIN STATE PARK (28 MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE FRANCIS)
Bradbury Mountain is a wonderful place to spend a day or an afternoon exploring trails, taking in the magnificent view from the summit or enjoying a picnic under a canopy of trees.
.10 // PINELAND FARMS (31 MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE FRANCIS)
Pineland Farms features 30 kilometers of professionally designed, well-kept trails for biking, walking or trail running in New Gloucester.