While spring may not have arrived just yet, if you don’t mind getting a little mud on your shoes, you can start to enjoy Scarborough’s many hiking trails now that the snow and ice are melting.
To help me find the best trails in the area, I turned to the experts: you. I put a call out on social media asking for readers’ favorite hiking trails in Scarborough, and then I went to check out the recommendations. Here’s what readers said:
Fuller Farm Preserve
Many readers seemed to agree that Fuller Farm Preserve — located on Broadturn Road — was the best place to find hiking trails. The Scarborough Land Trust, an organization committed to preserving land in Scarborough, manages trails in town, and Fuller Farm has the trust’s largest trail network.
On the 224 acres, there are 4 miles of trails, including boardwalks, dirt lanes, natural trail beds and wetlands, according to the Scarborough Land Trust. I started in an open field and headed towards Overlook Trail. Past the open field and wetland, the rest of the trails are mostly in the forest. There are some steep inclines, but there are also a few benches throughout the preserve to enjoy the view and rest.
Broadturn Farm
With 434 acres and 2.6 miles of trails, Broadturn Farm is Scarborough Land Trust’s largest property. The trailhead is located by the intersection of Broadturn and Hanson roads, near Fuller Farm Preserve.
From the parking lot, I entered the forest on Sandi’s Silver Brook Trail, a 0.8-mile-long trail out and back. Almost immediately, I could hear the sound of flowing water and was soon rewarded with a beautiful view of the brook. The trail followed along the winding brook before reaching a bridge to cross it. After the bridge, you will not regret the short 0.1 mile extension trail to see a few small waterfalls.
The trail was muddy and icy in some places, but the views were worth the few steep and rolling hills.
I did not have the time to try the 2-mile Sugar Maple trail on the other side of the parking lot, and the 0.7-mile Stone Wall Loop trail off the Sugar Maple trail, but the trails go through a mixed forest and a small stream, according to the Scarborough Land Trust.
Warren Woods
There are 1.4 miles of trails at the Elaine Stimson Warren Woods, which is located on Payne Road near Costco. After parking, you begin on the Orchid Trail, which is 0.3 miles if you just do the short loop that passes through fields and the forest. If you continue on the 0.3 mile Sarsaparilla Trail and the 0.7 mile Cranberry Trail, you’ll walk through some wetlands.
Be careful not to trip on tree roots and rocks on the natural trail bed, and watch out for the few remaining frozen puddles on the trail if you’re venturing out in the early spring. The Scarborough Land Trust cautions to wear appropriate footwear as the trail can sometimes be wet.
Eastern Trail
Many readers recommended the Eastern Trail for beautiful views of the Scarborough marsh and wildlife watching. However, some readers said they considered it more of a walk than a hike. The Easter Trail is a 65-mile long multi-use trail spanning from South Portland to Kittery — with some gaps.
Like many of the trust’s trails, the Eastern Trail can be enjoyed year-round. In the winter, it’s a great place for fat tire biking and cross country skiing, and in the spring and summer, it’s a popular place to walk and bike. In Scarborough, the Eastern Trail is a flat, wide path through the marsh.
I started on the trail at Pine Point Road, and headed towards Eastern Road. As soon as I stepped out of my car, I heard the call of dozens of birds, which another hiker kindly informed me were red-winged blackbirds — their return signals the start of spring, she said.
I’m taking that as a sign that hiking season is finally here. If you want to send me more hiking trail recommendations, see what other trails readers recommended or let me know what other guides I should write, follow me on Nextdoor.