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Print Friendly MapThe paved Back Cove Trail rings its namesake tidal basin and offers lovely views of the Portland skyline. You also might spot great blue herons or other birds along the tree-lined waterfront.
A good place to begin your journey is Payson Park, on the cove's north shore, where you’ll find parking and the Longfellow Arboretum, which is worth checking out before your journey. On the south side of the bay, Back Cove Park offers several athletic fields.
If you circle the cove in a counterclockwise direction, you’ll approach trail’s end near Turkey Bridge, where there are two other trails that you could hop on to extend your trip: the Bayside Trail and East Promenade Trail.
Parking is available at Payson Park (421 Ocean Ave.) and Back Cove Park (Preble St. and Highway 1).
Back Cove Trail is short, but sweet. The hard packed dirt is perfect for a jog, walk, or quick bike ride.
I started at 8:00 on an exceptionally still, brisk, mid October Sunday morning. The water was like glass and provided a perfect reflection of the downtown Portland skyline.
Other photo ops of the cove, wildlife, and beautiful classic homes were revealed to me as I made my way around the loop.
At only 3.6 miles, be sure to combine this with the also interesting Eastern Promenade Bike Trail for a total of nearly 8 miles between the two.
(Don't bother including the Bayside Trail which also connects to Back Cove and Promenade. It doesn't go by a bay and is about as appealing as riding down an alley)
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.
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.
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