Have you ever felt like going for a hike but don’t want to drive a long distance?  Thanks to Portland Trails you don’t have to.

 

Portland Trails maintains 70 miles of trails and green space right here in Portland – a network spanning the entire city.  A private nonprofit land trust, Portland Trails is supported by members, donors, and sponsors making trail use free (FREE!) to the public.  Most trails are dog friendly; in fact, I’ve never walked one of the trails and not seen a dog.

 

The trails are accessible year-round.  To me they’re just as awesome in the winter as in the summer.  The City of Portland plows some trails in the winter, like the Boulevard, but others are simply packed down by cross-country skiers and snowshoes.

 

Portland Trails is another thing I’ve grown up with.  I live in the North Deering area of Portland and my backyard connects to the Presumpscot River Preserve.  In the winter when all leaves have fallen off the trees, I’m so close to the trail I can see people walking the trail from my bedroom window.  In 10 minutes, I can be at a trail junction.  Turning right brings me past rapids and into Falmouth.  Turning left connects me to the Sebago to the Sea trail – a trail connecting Sebago Lake to Casco Bay.

 

The trails are a great way to get some exercise when I don’t feel like going to hot yoga class or running on the treadmill.  Sometimes when I’m studying and need to clear my head, I’ll head out for a 30 minute walk or so.

 

I’m often amazed that I’m still in Portland and not, say, in the White Mountain when I pass the rapids of the Presumpscot River and can’t hear any other sounds.  It allows you to feel completely immersed in nature – an irreplaceable feeling.