Little River Property

Owned and maintained by the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust (PRLT), this varied trail winds its way along the banks of the Little River, offering serene riparian views and opportunities to see wildlife in a suburban setting. The trail is well marked with various colored markings depending on which of the color-coded loop trails you choose to take. Starting at the parking lot, the trail first enters a small thicket and then crosses a field and ends at Aspen Lane, a small suburban cul-de-sac. The trail continues from the opposite side of the road about 100 yards to the north (right). Each of the trails wind through hemlock and aspen forests, complete with a wide variety of wildflowers in the springtime, including red trillium and jack-in-the-pulpit. Also common are the ferns so typical of a Maine hike, although this delightful hike is but a short distance away from urbanized Portland. When one follows the River Trail above the sign marked "Up River Down," the hike can become more challenging with steep, uneven earthen stairs leading to narrow bridges which cross the numerous gullies. The rest of the trails offer very gentle grades and woodland tranquility.