8 best bike routes in Greater Portland
Valerie Guillet of Portland bikes along the Eastern Trail in the Scarborough Marsh Tuesday. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer)
I loved biking before I moved to Portland last fall. But something about Maine turned my love into an obsession. Now I can’t open my door or walk into my kitchen without knocking into one of two bikes I keep in my tiny studio apartment.
I talked to cyclists in Greater Portland who have biked here much longer than I have, and here are some of our favorite routes in the area. Be careful; you might end up obsessed, too.
These routes can be broken down into shorter rides, or you can combine multiple for a longer one. I decided to begin most routes in downtown Portland, but you can join them from anywhere or use another trail to get to your desired route. The Bicycle Coalition of Maine has a bikeability map that can help you see the high-stress roads and zones in the area.
And if you discover a new route during your exploration of Greater Portland, please let me know!
Portland to Mackworth Island (10 miles round-trip)
This was the first route I biked when I moved to Portland last fall. I moved from Indiana, so the thought that I could bike to an island made me giddy. It was the middle of November, and, at the time, I only had my dad’s old bike (which I’m pretty sure is older than I am), but that did not deter me.
From downtown Portland, head north on the Back Cove Trail. Continue on Route 1, cross Martin’s Point Bridge, then turn right onto Andrews Avenue, which will take you to Mackworth Island State Park.
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If you’re going to visit the island, you need to pay a day-use fee: $3 if you’re a Maine resident, $4 if you’re not. Or remember to bring your annual state park pass.
Most of this route is on roads, except for a short section on the Back Cove Trail in the beginning. Some parts have bike lanes, and overall, I didn’t feel stressed biking on the roads to Mackworth Island.
Portland to Cousins Island (30 miles round-trip)
I then realized I could bike to, not one, but two islands. From Portland, Mackworth Island is on the way to Cousins Island. If you continue about a mile further on Route 1 after Andrews Avenue, turn right onto Route 88, continue on that road for about 6.5 miles, turn right onto Gilman Road and cross Ellis C. Snodgrass Memorial Bridge, you’ll arrive at Cousins Island.
The speed limit on Route 88 is 35 miles per hour, so cars aren’t driving too fast, and there is usually a decently sized shoulder to bike on. I’ve also seen many runners and dog walkers along the road.
Portland to Brunswick (58 miles round-trip)
I found this route to Brunswick thanks to Adventure Cycling’s Short Routes, a collection of free and accessible bike routes. There are multiple bus stops along the way, and it ends at the Brunswick Amtrak Station. So, you can take the train home if 29 miles is enough for you.
It begins like the Cousins Island route, but you’ll turn onto Tuttle Road after about 5 miles on Route 88. You’ll bike on Route 1 for a little bit. Then, South Freeport Road will take you to Freeport, and Pleasant Hill Road will get you to Brunswick.
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Back Cove and Eastern Promenade (about 6 miles)
The Back Cove Trail is one of the most popular loops in Portland. The 3.6-mile trail is lined with stone dust, making it suitable for all types of bikes and pedestrians. Near Tukey’s Bridge, you can join the Eastern Promenade Trail, which is a paved, waterfront trail that’s about 2 miles long. The total distance of your ride will depend on where you start on the Back Cove Trail and if you’re doing a round-trip.
Eastern Trail (16 miles)
Thanks to a newly completed section of the Eastern Trail, you can now bike from Bug Light Park in South Portland to Saco almost entirely off the road. It’s 16 miles of trail, except for a small section on Eastern Road, a quiet road before you get to Scarborough Marsh. There are a few miles of gravel when crossing the marsh that might not be ideal for some road bikes.
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‘The gap is gone!’ New stretch of Eastern Trail opens 15 months early
Tour des lighthouses (15 and 25 miles)
There’s no shortage of lighthouses on southern Maine’s coast, and just a 15-mile bike ride allows you to visit four of them, including the iconic Portland Head Light. First, travel from Portland to South Portland over the Casco Bay Bridge (biking over the bridge stressed me out the first time, but there is a bike lane). As you move south along the coast, you’ll see Bug Light Park, Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, Willard Beach and the Portland Head Light.
The longer, 25-mile version includes two more lighthouses and more ocean views. After the Portland Head Light, you’ll continue south along Shore Road and Route 77 before reaching Two Lights State Park. Check out Dyer Cove while you’re there before heading west. If you feel like it, stop by Crescent Beach State Park, too, or continue on Route 77, through Scarborough Marsh, and then back up through Scarborough.
The two routes are on the road, but the most stressful part is Casco Bay Bridge and the intersection with Broadway. The rest of the route is lower stress. Don’t forget your state park pass if you’re going to a state park.
Cape Tour (45 miles)
Multiple versions of this route exist online, but it is basically a tour of all the best views, lighthouses and beaches in South Portland, Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough. You can choose not to stop at Willard or Higgins Beach or to skip some lighthouses. If you choose to go Crescent Beach State Park from Kettle Cove, note that there is a short gravel section, but I found it manageable on my road bike. You can also shorten it by skipping the Back Cove and Eastern Trail in Portland. This route is a mix of roads and trails, including some higher stress areas in Portland and by the bridges.
Read more from our guide to cycling in Greater Portland:
- 10 places to rent a bike
- 12 group bicycle rides
- 11 safety tips for cycling
- 8 great deals from Bicycle Benefits
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Tagged: bicycling, biking, eastern prom, Eastern Trail, featured, lighthouse, maine beaches
Salomé Cloteaux is a community reporter covering Scarborough and Westbrook. She was born in France but lived in Indiana for most of her life before moving to Portland in November 2025. Salomé has a degree. More by Salomé Cloteaux
