The Eastern Trail
4.7(201)google
5.0(2)yelp
OutdoorHiking TrailFamilyFreeWetland
Overview
The Eastern Continental Trail (ECT) is a network of hiking trails in the United States and Canada, reaching from Key West, Florida to Belle Isle, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Practical Info
Every dayOpen 24 hours
Suggested Duration2-4 hours
Best TimeMay through October is choice for cycling or trekking this spectacular multi-use greenway converted from a legacy historic railroad bed. Aim for an early autumn morning between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM in September or October. Entering the Saco or Scarborough marsh sectors reveals low morning mists floating across the vast, tidal salt marshes as sunlight pierces the golden birches, offering frequent deer sightings.
Getting ThereSpanning 65 miles with numerous well-maintained, dedicated off-road trailheads. For a premium stretch, drive to the Scarborough Marsh eco-hub lot off Pine Point Road: take I-95 Exit 42, merge onto ME-116 West, and follow ME-9 West (Pine Point Road) to the marked gravel public parking lot. The trail is strictly non-motorized. Non-drivers can take a Portland urban bus to nearby stops and rideshare in.
Travel Tips
- The backcountry Scarborough Marsh segment of this long-distance trail consists entirely of coarse unpaved gravel and hard-packed dirt; narrow-tire road bikes face immediate flats or severe traction loss, requiring wider hybrid or gravel tires.
- The marshway corridor offers zero canopy shade or storm shelters for miles; flanking tidal pools trigger extreme, predatory greenhead fly swarms mid-summer, making aggressive application of specialized insect Picaridin mandatory.
- Peripheral trailheads offer limited parking footprints; under state wildlife preservation ordinances, marsh sectors enforce absolute dusk-to-dawn operational closures, and night trespassing triggers severe environmental penalties.
Reviews
Positive
- An unparalleled green ecological corridor! The section crossing the Scarborough Marsh offers vast, open vistas, and the nature scenery is spectacular.
- The trail surface is flat and wide, composed of packed gravel and paved sections. Great accessibility makes it a perfect pristine spot for biking and running.
- Signage along the trail is clear, marking distances and ecological facts. There's zero traffic noise disturbance, allowing for total peace and relaxation.
- Completely free to the public with convenient free parking lots at major highway intersections. Transport and driving access are flawless.
Heads up
- Because the trail is dozens of miles long, public facilities are sparse; you won't find any restrooms or trash bins for miles in marsh sections.