Feel Like You're Walking On Water When You Explore The Scarborough Eastern Trail In Maine
By Michelle|Published November 05, 2020
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Michelle
Author
Michelle's life is a colorful map of exploration and adventure. From the iconic streets of New York to the sunny shores of Florida, the jagged coast of Maine to the rugged terrain of Montana, she's been fortunate to call some of America's most beautiful states home. Beyond the U.S., Michelle's wanderlust has taken her on a motorcycle journey through India, led her to teach English in Hanoi, and saw her studying Spanish in Guatemala. Michelle graduated with a communications degree from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and in addition to a career in advertising has worked with OnlyInYourState since 2016, where her love for travel and storytelling converges. Alongside writing and exploring, Michelle finds joy in photography, staying active, and time with her family.
For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
Of all the things to do in Maine, getting outside and enjoying some fresh air must surely be one of the best. Maybe it’s the fact that breezes here feel so clean. Or, maybe it’s the surroundings and beautiful views. More likely it’s the combination of everything this state has to offer. And if you’re like us and keep a running list of outdoor spots to explore, you’ll definitely want to add this spot to that list!
You'll find the Scarborough Eastern Trailhead to the Scarborough Marsh Nature Center on Pine Point Road in Scarborough. Just off the side of the road, you'll find the nature center where you can rent kayaks and canoes to explore the marsh during the summer months.
Continue just a bit further down the road and you'll come to the parking area for the trail leading through the marsh for some of the best views in the area.
The marsh itself is a wonderful place to learn more about Maine's eco-systems. The state's dramatic tidal changes are on display every single day and the wildlife is always fun to spot. The 3,100 acre estuary is the largest marshland in the state, making it the perfect place to explore.
The Eastern Trail is a large trail network that will ultimately connect Maine to Florida. While it's still being expanded, some of the best parts are ready to be explore, including this one.
The entire Scarborough Eastern Trail is 9.5 miles linking the town to Saco. The portion going through the marsh is much shorter, but provides some of the best views of the entire route.
The trail can be used for running, walking, or biking. It's not uncommon to see a bike at the side of the trail while its owner enjoys the views. It's also pretty common to see bird watchers here.
It's quite common for people to park in the parking area and just explore this short portion of the larger trail. So, hop in the car, make your way to Pine Point Road and enjoy some of the best that Maine has to offer!
The Scarborough portion of the Eastern Trail is located next to the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center. You can learn all about it through their website. You can learn more about the trail on alltrails.com. The Maine Audubon wildlife sanctuaries are open every day from dawn to dusk. Note that the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center offers marsh access and kayak rentals during the summer, but is closed during the winter.
In terms of accessibility, the trail is primarily gravel and the trail is about five feet wide, at least. The 3% grade is considered gentle.
