Top 5 Hiking And Trekking Spots In Portland, Maine

1. Capisic Brook Trail

Capisic Park is an 18-acre (7.3 hectares) nature reserve owned by Portland City. You can go hiking in this park and indulge in some serious nature therapy. Capisic Pond inside the reserve is the largest freshwater pond in the city that becomes the perfect place for bird watching or ice-skating, depending on when you go. The trail is open from dawn to dusk, offers an easy terrain with moderate slopes through the woods. You can enter the park from the entrances located at Rockland Avenue and Lucas Street, among others.

Capisic Brook Trail

Address: Capisic Brook Trail, Portland, ME 04102, United States

Website: Capisic Brook Trail

2. Back Cove Trail

Back Cove Trail is not only one of the oldest trails in Portland, but also the most popular one. When you go hiking on this trail, you can enjoy the stunning views of Portland skyline as well as the circular estuary basin. Since the trail is mostly flat, it is considered to be an easy terrain and perfect for walking, biking, and even running. The trail is also equipped with benches as well as portable toilets along the way. This 3.5-mile circuit (5.5 km approx.) is located in the northern side of the city of Portland.

Back Cove Trail

Address: Back Cove Trail, Portland, ME 04101, United States

Website: Back Cove Trail

3. Fore River Sanctuary trail

Fore River Sanctuary is a perfect escape for outdoor lovers who want to get away from the city crowd but not outside of Portland! This 85-acre (34.4 hectares) oasis of peace is popular with runners and walkers. You can enter from the Congress Street and walk along the Former Canal. The best time to be on the trail is spring when the entire region brims with colourful flowers, wildflowers, butterflies, birds, shrubs. From here, you can walk all the way to Jewel Falls, Portland’s only natural waterfall! You will cover a distance of 1 mile (1.6 kilometres) between the Congress Street and Jewel Falls. The trail is open from dawn to dusk, all round the year. You can also follow the signs to connect to Capisic Brook Trail if you want to walk longer. The terrain is mostly flat, therefore easy.

Fore River Sanctuary trail

Address: 1601 Congress St, Portland, Maine 04102

Website: Fore River Sanctuary trail

4. Midslope Trail

Midslope Trail runs parallel to Eastern Promenade, a 73-acre (29.5 hectares) park, but can also be approached from an alternate, tree-lined route between Munjoy Hill and the shoreline of Portland’s Casco Bay. This 2.1 miles (3.3 kilometres) stretch is mostly flat and made of asphalt that makes it easy for anyone to take a leisurely walk. If you enter the trail from the northern end, you would be able to reach the Bayside Trail, which encircles the Back Cove and connects the Back Cove Trail. Many city dwellers often hike on these trails to take a break from their city life and breathe clean air, enriched by the smells of hardwood forest.

Midslope Trail

Address: Eastern Promenade Midslope Trail, Portland, ME 04101, United States

Website: Midslope Trail

5. Forest City Trail

Forest City Trail was created to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this 10-mile (16.1 kilometres) route that cuts through the best of Portland along the Cumberland and Oxford Canal in the Fore River Sanctuary. It comprises of nine trails, a historic cemetery, and two refreshing waterfalls en route. The trail is easy grade, with few ups and downs towards the river. You will enjoy walking through the hardwood forest and meet several seasonal streams along the way. This urban trail is the perfect way to spend a few hours outdoors with your little ones without leaving the city! This is also a dog-friendly trail, so feel free to take your pooch hiking on this easy terrain.

Forest City Trail

Address: 305 Commercial Street, Portland, ME 04101

Website: Forest City Trail

Explore Portland's hiking trails with a twist

Portland is everything that you seek from your vacation – plenty of sightseeing options, a bit of nature, moderate city pace, good bars and eateries, cultural riches et al. The city is rich in its offerings that leave you spoilt for choice. But don’t be fooled by its green appearance. Even though you can see the towering mountains in the distance, Portland is so much more than its hilly appearance. Dotted by trees and breweries in equal measures, you can spend a day exploring the outdoors and then cap it off by tasting some of its finest beers! Portland is not your quintessential sleepy hill town. It has a buzzing character that will make your hiking trips all the more exciting.