Find the top rated birding trails in Wells, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We did this in two parts: Kennebunk-Biddeford, and South Portland-Saco. To do just Kennebunk to Biddeford & back is a bit too easy and dull - straight, flat, 12 miles round trip; although, you might want to reserve time to explore downtown Biddeford. Biscuits! Doughnuts! Brewery! Etc.
The Portland-Saco stretch is more varied. If you start from Bug Light Park, like we did, I think it comes out to more than 20 miles; for a shorter ride, start from the parking lot on the trail proper. There is the most excellent empanada place in Saco where you should try to have lunch. The marsh is fun with interesting birds.
Interesting to be able to see the entire loop from the starting point. Only one real incline at the overpass. We added an out and back on Eastern Promenade Trail to get 9.9 total miles.
loved this trail but wished there was better signage to make it easy to find it
I always pair this trail with the Windham Rail Trail, I typically park at Hood Park in Derry and ride through to Salem. Parking is fine in the Hood lot. I don't think there's a porta-potty but there is one at the Windham lot.
I love this ride, it's near home so it's my default when I just want a quiet place to cruise. There are a few road crossings, all of which are clearly marked.
I find that the ride from Derry to Salem is a little bit easier than in the other direction. Neither direction is particularly challenging though, suitable for all. Can be a great leisurely trip or a workout, whatever you're looking for.
Until recently there weren't a lot of places to stop once you leave Derry center (save for a gas-station off-trail near the Windham trail-head). The Grind (fine coffee) has shops in Derry and just off the trail in Windham. The trail has been extended so that it reaches the Tuscan Kitchen (TK) in Salem. In the new section you can take a bridge to Dunkin' and get a coffee (the staff shared that a bike rack is coming in the future). If you want something more filling, you can leave your bike in the rack at the TK and visit the market or have an outdoor snack. Nice if you're looking for a break in the middle of your ride.
Notables:
- Scenic and peaceful; wetlands pop up throughout the ride offering sounds and views of nature
- You can take it easy or give yourself a workout
- Easy to plan for breaks and snacks with recent extension
- Trail is in good shape, some bumps (there's signage in the bumpiest areas and many random cracks have paint highlighting them)
After reading the reviews I decided to ride this trail as it was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in August. Perfect weather for a bike ride. I decided to bring my mountain bike and I am glad I did (I usually ride my hybrid for Rail Trails.)
I parked in Wolfeboro. Started out my ride at 1:00 PM. Tons of other riders and walkers, a few runners.. The first few miles were beautiful crossing the cog-ways but frustrating with all the other people on the trail. It is narrow and yes, when you are riding in between the rails as noted in other reviews, it can be a bit hairy when other bikers or STOLLERS are coming the other way. If the other biker didn't look very experienced or they were kids I stopped to let them pass. Had to do this several times. I was having second guesses with all the foot traffic but after a few miles it lessened a bit, just a bit, and the scenery was so peaceful. I got to Route 16, and yes the traffic was fast and heavy enough that I decided it wasn't worth it. Plus I'm out of shape and knew I had another 11 miles to go to get back!
I was wondering if I was going to encounter the same traffic going back especially the closer to Wolfeboro I got, but happily the ride back was 100% better. Maybe because is was now 2:30 ish..
There were still plenty of people on the trail but not half as many and I didn't have to stop once.
I loved this trail, but think I will come back again in the fall or during the midweek with less people.
This trail is the best maintained trail I have ever been on. Completely smooth gravel and the edges were just mowed. The hybrid bike would have been fine except the rail crossings.
The rail crossings were never a problem for me but probably because I had the mountain bike with shocks. I would be more cautious if I had the hybrid! Just go slow and be careful. Common sense..
Last thought, if I didn't live 45 minutes from Wolfeboro, this trail would be perfect for running!! Traffic or not!
We biked and geocached this section today. We had an enjoyable ride, but the surface was quite varied. Nothing was paved. We started out on well packed gravel/ dirt on a wide trail, but by the time we were at the other end, following the river, it was single track, mostly through grass, with some roots and a few sandy patches. It didn't resemble most of the rail trails I have been on, but my hybrid bike was fine, and we really enjoyed the variety.
The Londonderry Rail Trail is a nice, flat, peaceful trail. For an early morning walk, you will greet several other people out walking or jogging. The scenery includes business, residential, and scenic wetlands. Plenty of parking at the bus terminal.
While this is a great trail for hiking my husband and I felt it was way too narrow to share with bikers and hikers. We had to stop riding whenever someone was coming in the opposite direction. We found we were too busy concentrating to enjoy the views. Not a good bike trail.
My wife and I road from Newfields to Rt. 125 and then back (the eastern part of the trail). The trail was in good shape and we saw turtles and raccoons. We were on Hybrids, but saw other people on road bikes. Others were walking and some jogging. All in all a beautiful day to be out on the trail.
My wife and I had our first experience biking this trail this week. We found it very enjoyable until we both had a bad accident. There are several areas on the trail where you have to cross the rails which are sticking above grade and will through you off the bike.
I sustained a 2 inch laceration and multiple abrasions and contusions which required an ER visit. My wife injured her shoulder and knee.
After reading past reviews complaining of this same problem over several years, I can not understand why this problem has not been corrected since it would be easy to remedy!!! Disappointed that peoples safety is not of paramount importance!!
I hope that this will be addressed in the near future.
Had some time on Memorial Day before the parade, so I decided to take my first ride of the season. This trail is LIT!!!!! Great surface, well marked and maintained. No debris in sight. Wildlife popping out of the woods left and right. Rode the whole trail in 2 hours. A great trail for aa morning ride!
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