Lobsters, lighthouse, and ocean— the things that come to mind when you think about Maine’s largest city. Portland is one the few working waterfronts left in the United States, acting as New England’s largest tonnage seaport and second largest fishing port. The city is located on a peninsula in Casco Bay with access to many islands. Tourists flock to the city to visit the historic Old Port, the Arts District, and the Portland Head Light, located in nearby Cape Elizabeth. Portland is known for its hip culture, with a mixture of arts, outdoor activities, fashion, and amazing culinary scene. This is our guide to running in Portland, Maine.
The best places to run in Portland, Maine center on the waterfront. The Eastern Promenade and Back Cove are the must-dos from downtown. The Harborwalk is a great way to explore east and south Portland, and a lighthouse, while Cape Elizabeth features Portland’s swankiest real-estate and some lovely running. Our runs in the downtown and southern Portland areas can be standalone or easily mixed and matched. For more, see our extensive guides to the Southern Coast and Mid-Coast. Also, Portland Trails has excellent information, maps, and updates on 70+ miles of trails in the area. Winter note: Eastern Promenade, Back Cove, Fore River Parkway, and Bayside Trailsare cleared of snow by the City of Portland.
This is a fairly small city with a compact downtown. Central Portland is a peninsula inside of I-295 and has many of the city’s commercial highlights. Cross the Casco Bay Bridge to get to South Portland and Portland Head Light. Cape Elizabeth is 8 miles south of downtown.
Southern Maine Coast Running Guide MidCoast Maine Running Guide