Biking & Walking Trails

Bridle Path, Kennebunk: Flat dirt path about two miles long that parallels the Mousam River and the marshes in Kennebunk. This is an excellent ride for beginners and families. Park at Sea Road School on Sea Road for access.

Eastern Trail: The Eastern Trail, a 65-mile section of the East Coast Greenway stretching from Kittery to South Portland, has two entrances: Kennebunk Elementary School off Alewive Road, and Limerick Road in Arundel. The trail is perfect for walking and cycling as well as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The trail, which is approximately 10 feet wide, is also dog-friendly.

Franciscan Monastery, Kennebunk: Pass through the stone gate of the Franciscan Monastery and you enter a gracious English park with its sweeping lawns, simple gardens, the magnificent Our Lady of Lourdes grotto, and other statues and shrines. Bike riding is not allowed on the Monastery grounds. On foot, follow the paved path into the woods to see more statues and views of Kennebunkport across the Kennebunk River. Thousands come to enjoy these peaceful and expansive grounds every year. Open between sunrise and sunset, everybody is welcome to visit the chapel, to walk the grounds, or to sit in contemplation or prayer on one of the many benches on the grounds.

Kennebunk Land Trust: The Kennebunk Land Trust offers scenic spots for walking, hiking and riding. As one of southern Maine’s oldest working land trusts, the Trust has preserved over 3,400 acres of forest, fields and waterways, including 1,600 acres of the Kennebunk Plains. Of these preserved lands, more than 300 acres are conservation easements managed for private landowners.

Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, Gravelly Brook Road: Trails vary in length, width, topography and use. Some are conducive to bird watching and viewing wildlife, others for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

Hope Woods: Located behind Hope Cemetery in Downtown Kennebunk near the junction of Summer Street and Main Street. Enjoy about 2 miles of well-marked trails through open and wooded areas and alongside Scotchman’s Brook. Hope Woods is well known for its many bird species. Access the trails through Hope Cemetery (Barnard Lane), at Fletcher Street (across from Mechanic Street), Wood Pond Lane (in cul de sac), or Woodhaven Drive (near intersection with Longwood).

Picnic Rocks at Butler Preserve: This little gem of a trail (.75 mile there and back) leads to a large boulder known as Picnic Rock with views of the Kennebunk River. In earlier times, Picnic Rock was a well-known spot where boaters traveling the river would stop and picnic. Now the preserve is enjoyed by people of all ages as a stop on a kayak excursion or to hike. Access from Old Port Road near the corner of Rivers Edge Drive; parking is limited.

Welch Woods, Arundel: A beautiful, gentle half-mile loop through a peaceful forest with lovely ferns along the way. Trail crosses a small brook and leads to a clearing by the shore of the Kennebunk River. Rest a while on one of the benches built by the local Scout troop. Enjoy the serenity of the tidal marsh, and the gentle flow of the river. The perfect place for a picnic and some relaxation. Small off-road parking located just east of 227 River Road, Arundel.

Wonderbrook Park, Kennebunk: Muddy, hilly, technical loops of interconnected trails. They are short but fun and include some bridge and log crossings. This is best combined with a road ride because of the short distance. Located at 16 Plummer Lane, off Summer Street.

Goose Rocks Beach, Kennebunkport (11 miles): From Dock Square take North Street to Arundel Road. Follow Arundel Road past the horse farm and take a right on to Goose Rocks Road. Ride Goose Rocks Road to the end and go straight across Route 9. At the end of Dyke Road you will find the pristine Goose Rocks Beach. This ideal family destination usually has very limited parking, but you won’t have that problem with a bike. This also happens to be the ride with the least amount of traffic. When it’s time to return, follow the same roads back to town.

Kennebunk Beach, Kennebunk (7 miles): From Dock Square go over the bridge to the traffic light and take a left onto Beach Avenue. Kennebunk Beach is now straight ahead about 1 mile. Follow the ocean for the next 2 miles. Where the road heads away from the ocean you will see Great Hill Road on the left. This dead-end road borders the Mousam River. After you turn around, take a left onto Boothby Road. This connects to Route 9 and will bring you back into the Port. This ride is good for adults and parents with children over 9 years old.

Ocean Avenue and Cape Porpoise, Kennebunkport (8 miles): Definitely bring your camera on this ride. Head out of Dock Square on Ocean Avenue with the water on your right. You will be riding parallel to the Kennebunk River. Ocean Avenue is heavily traveled so families with young children may want to take another route. Bear right at the Wildes District Fire Station and stay on Wildes District Road all the way into Cape Porpoise. When you have had your fill of lobster, hop on your bike and backtrack your route into town.

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