A Popular 48-Mile Southern Maine Trail is Adding More Off-Road Trails

Editor's note: This article was written by a Townsquare Media Northern New England contributor and may contain the individual's views, opinions or personal experiences.

We love our trails, don't we?  It's always nice to get out and about to hike, bike, jog, enjoy walks with friends, and our dogs, look at nature, and enjoy the fresh air.  That's why it's so exciting to learn that additional green space is in the works for one of the most popular trails on the Seacoast and beyond.

Dubbed Southern Maine's Multi-Use Greenway, this trail from Kittery to South Portland welcomed 250,000 people last year who took advantage of our Eastern Trail. According to  WGME-TV, it's now expanding.  Woo Hoo!

That's right, the Eastern Trail is getting 11 more miles for us to explore, adding to its myriad of off-road extensions.

The Eastern Trail Management District will use $7,000 of federal funding to add a new portion from Kennebunk to North Berwick.  I love that it wants to take advantage of heading inland a bit, opening up so many more ways to explore communities.

Eric Wright is the President of the Eastern Trail, and says the widespread use proves the necessity of this exciting grant.

We had 250,000 people use the trail last year. And that was an economic impact of $44 million so it has a huge impact on the community.  A lot of people used the trail to commute to work, to reach local businesses and to use their services because it passes through many communities right now and we're looking to extend it to even more.

The Eastern Trail already has 22 off-road miles from Bug Light in South Portland to Kennebunk, according to its website.  Plus, the scenic on-road route weaves along quiet country roads and water, bringing so many of us out to enjoy beautiful journeys together or solo.

The more experienced bike riders and hikers literally do the full journey from South Portland to Kittery's Piscataqua River, and now this addition will add to the fun and challenge with more green space.  And oh do we love our green space in an outdoorsy environment.

Organizers told WGME that the expansion will take a few years.  To find out more about the Eastern Trail, click here.