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Portland, ME: Back Cove to Eastern Promenade Trail
Bring the whole family on this easy, 7.2-mile loop, which traces the paved Back Cove Trail and the Eastern Promenade Trail and features tranquil Casco Bay panoramas.
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| Author: | Bicycling Magazine |
| Activity: | Bicycling |
| State: | Maine (ME) |
| Distance: | 7.49 mi |
| Difficulty: | 3 / 10 |
| Rating: | Unrated |
Get the kids on the road with this friendly 7.2-mile loop tracing bike and pedestrian paths around Portland's idyllic waterfront. Featuring paved trails closed to motorized traffic and devoid of climbing, this route is ideal for younger cyclists still getting a feel for the road.
Start from the public parking lot at Back Cove Park and head north along the Back Cove Trail. Stick to the section of trail designated for cyclists to avoid the walkers, joggers and dog-walkers using the other part of the trail. As you wind along flat, smoothly-paved trail, enjoy peaceful panoramas of Back Cove and Maine's waterfront. Then, cross under Turkey's Bridge and pick up the Eastern Promenade Trail to wind along Casco Bay.
The designated bike path ends here, so you'll share the path with pedestrians while catching more serene ocean vistas. Pass East End Beach—perfect for getting your feet wet in the middle of the ride—while winding toward the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal and Portland's Old Port district, home to plenty of restaurants, cafes, and eateries. Sample some of the local fare or return to your car by retracing the Eastern Promenade Trail to the southern section of the Back Cove Trail.
-Mapped by Kathy Jenkins
TO TRAILHEAD: This ride starts at the Back Cove Park public parking lot. From I-295, take exit 7 and merge onto Franklin St. Turn right onto Marginal Rd. and follow for 0.3 mile. Turn right on Elm St./Preble St. Parking is on right in 0.1 mile.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
Portland, ME: Back Cove to Eastern Promenade Trail
| Distance: 7.49 mi | Points: 395 |
| # | Distance | Instruction | Distance to next |
| 1 | 0.00 mi | Start - Back Cove Parking Lot | Then go 0.01 mi |
| 2 | 0.01 mi | Turn Left - Path | Then go 0.17 mi |
| 3 | 0.18 mi | Straight - Baxter Boulevard Path | Then go 2.31 mi |
| 4 | 2.50 mi | Sharp Right - Follow path beneath Tukey's Bridge | Then go 0.23 mi |
| 5 | 2.73 mi | Turn Left - Eastern Promenade Trail/East End Trail | Then go 1.70 mi |
| 6 | 4.43 mi | U-Turn - Eastern Promenade Trail/East End Trail | Then go 1.71 mi |
| 7 | 6.14 mi | Turn Right - Follow path beneath Tukey's Bridge | Then go 0.24 mi |
| 8 | 6.37 mi | Turn Right - | Then go 0.03 mi |
| 9 | 6.41 mi | Bear Right - | Then go 0.80 mi |
| 10 | 7.20 mi | Bear Right - | Then go 0.17 mi |
| 11 | 7.37 mi | Turn Right - | Then go 0.01 mi |
| 12 | 7.38 mi | Bear Right - | Then go 0.10 mi |
| 13 | 7.48 mi | Turn Left - Back Cove Parking Lot | Then go 0.01 mi |
| 14 | 7.49 mi | Stop - Back Cove Parking Lot |
Points of Interest
Back Cove Parking Lot
Location: 43.665097, -70.267707Park your car at the Back Cove public parking lot across from the Hannaford Grocery store. There's plenty of room here for loading and unloading gear. To get started, head west on the path at the north end of the lot.
Baxter Boulevard Path
Location: 43.665276, -70.270676Merge onto the Baxter Boulevard Path. There are mile markers every 0.25 mile along the path, which you'll share with joggers and walkers.
Portland Skyline Vistas
Location: 43.676687, -70.275528Look back across the cove to the southeast for wide-spanning vistas of the Portland Skyline.
Back Cove Vistas
Location: 43.679760, -70.271151As you wind along the path, you'll be treated to constant vistas of the quiet Back Cove. © Kathy Jenkins
Payson Park
Location: 43.678868, -70.268458If you're riding with kids, make a pit-stop at Payson Park (on the left) and let them enjoy the playground.
Tukey's Bridge
Location: 43.678251, -70.256807Stay on the bike path as you cross this heavily-trafficked bridge separating the cove from Maine's outlying islands and the mighty Atlantic.
Under Tukey's Bridge
Location: 43.675682, -70.256694Proceed slowly here as you pedal past blind corners and sharp turns underneath Tukey's Bridge. Keep your eyes open for other cyclists and pedestrians at this busy juncture.
East End Trail
Location: 43.673722, -70.255864From the bridge, pick up the Eastern Promenade Trail (known locally as the East End Trail), and head toward Portland's Old Port district.
Ocean Vistas
Location: 43.673335, -70.250959Skirt the perimeter of Casco Bay as you cruise down the East End Trail. © Kathy Jenkins
Boat Landing and East End Beach
Location: 43.669556, -70.241802Get your feet wet at a small, sandy beach adjacent to a boat launch here.
More Shoreline Riding
Location: 43.666413, -70.239276Follow the Eastern Promenade Trail as it bends to the southwest while continuing to enjoy serene, wide-open shoreline panoramas.
Casco Bay
Location: 43.663099, -70.242167© Kathy Jenkins
Casco Bay Ferry Terminal
Location: 43.659749, -70.247725Reach the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal. If you're in the market for some eats, sample the bountiful variety of local restaurants and cafes by continuing into Portland's Old Port district. Otherwise, turn around and retrace your route on the Eastern Promenade Trail.
Home Stretch
Location: 43.673750, -70.255787Pick up the Back Cove Trail again and pedal along the western edge of ME 1 to reach Back Cove Park and the lot where you left your car.
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