Find the top rated running trails in Winthrop, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
This really was a very pretty rail trail, with lots of fun stopping places on either end (and in the middle). In Augusta on one end, and Gardiner on the other, and Hallowell in the middle, you have lots of options for food and drink. The trail is super easy and flat. 13 miles round trip.
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.
This is a 3.6 mile loop around the bay. The trail gets a lot of use, which makes it very safe. Only one hill. Great trail for bikers, runners, or walkers.
Most of this trail is over packed earth, which is satisfactory, except following rain. The 4.5+ miles through Biddeford are poorly marked (download a map) and often hazardous. Scarborough marsh is beautiful and the rest of the trail is pleasant, often scenic. I rode the entire trail north one day and south the next. If I were to do it again, I would cut it into two smaller trails, and avoid Biddeford.
I rode the entire trail starting at Bug Light Park in South Portland and ending at Kennebunk; roughly 30 miles each way. I knew about the on road gaps and found them to be a positive as it added variety to the trail. The on road sections are fairly well marked and I only had an issue finding my way through Biddeford. The shoulders are very wide and I must say I found Maine drivers to be very courteous to me at every road crossing.
The off road sections of the trail are very well marked, shaded and very flat. I rode through forests and marshes and around residential neighborhoods. There is a fundraising effort to close one of the on road gaps on this trail. If that gap is closed I would give this trail five stars. I still highly recommend this trail as you can have a nice ride no matter what section you chose to ride.
awsome for atv bike and walking. people are great and welcoming.
I rode this trail on 20/8/2018. It was a beautiful day and the trail was dry. Having read the warnings about the sandy sections of the trail I took my mountain bike with 650B /2.20 tyres, thinking it would be sufficient. For 11 miles of the trail it was, but I struggled on the sandy sections in Jay, with the front end wanting to wash out as it hit the deeper berms. My fat tyre bike would have sailed through these sections, and should I ride the trail again It is what I would use.
On a hot day the shade of the trees along most of the route was very welcome. I rode from Livermore Falls to Farmington, and then back again, stopping for a quick lunch at the small country store in Wilton village: Where it is very pleasant to sit by the river on the provided benches and tables. The trip took me a little over three hours, the trail being better at the Farmington end, and becoming quite rough nearer the Livermore Falls end.
The guidebook says this is primarily an ATV/snowmobile trail and I think that is a correct summation. It is not a bicycle friendly trail, being too rough and the sand making it all but impossible for anything other than wide tyres
the first 6 miles was somewhat boring, just a dirt path in the woods but the remaining trail to Saco was fun weaving through neighborhoods and Saco river crossing was cool. excited to do the second section :)
My 9 year old and I found this and loved it. We started at Kennebunk Elementary, which was easy to find, and went about 5 miles. The trail has a very nominal and unnoticeable grade. The trail is shaded and has numerous small bridges crossing streams. It’s a beautiful and easy ride.
My husband and I just both got bikes and were at a family outing the day before in Augusta and decided to try out the trail. It was a beautiful trail and a great first ride. We will definitely be back!
Visiting Maine in August we found no place to rent bikes within 80 miles of the Trail. We decided to hike the section from Bingham south as we like free flowing rivers, not lakes behind dams. First issue was the Bingham Goodrich Rd trailhead. It is in the woods and out of sight from US 201 or houses. We chose to park at a more publicly visible location at a Supermarket across from North Country Rivers Outfitters where the Trail crosses a corner of the Outfitters property. We did get permission from the Supermarket and recommend parking here, not the Goodrich Rd. trailhead.
Second, the main issue for us was the Trail. This included the lack of views of this section of the river being obscured by Summer vegetation, the condition of the trail with muddy potholes and lack of a gravel surface and the permitted use of the Trail by ATV’s. The ATV drivers were respectful of hikers and slowed for us, but the vehicles were still noisy and created dust. We terminated the hike early and had ice cream at Here’s the Scoop in Bingham, sitting quietly on the bank of the Kennebec.
Headed south on US 201 to Arnolds Landing where the trail crosses the Kennebec. The trail is on the river bank and would have provided better water views had we hiked this section. Had to leave, as it is a slow drive from I-95. In summary, the Bingham area portion of the Trail would rank as our worst RTT experience from Maine to Virginia. We would not return even for ice cream on the river bank.
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